Brigette Romanek Shares the Secret to Her ‘Gucci-Meets-Gap’ Aesthetic
Words by Laura Dahlgren
Photography by Michael Clifford; Design by Brigette Romanek
It was a world of ‘noes’ that led Brigette Romanek down the path to interior design.
“When I was renovating my Laurel Canyon home, the architects kept telling me what I couldn’t do,” shares the Expert. “It made me wonder ‘Well, why can’t I?’ which then turned into ‘I can’.” That’s Brigette’s approach to design—do what feels right, without always following the rules.
A fierce advocate for designing by feeling, Brigette encourages anyone dabbling in the industry to try, try, and try again, “Ignorance is bliss,” she reflects. “I didn't have formal training, which made me willing to try things. Not studying design made me so hungry.”
Fresh off the release of her first book Livable Luxe and a feature of her new home in Elle, the designer sat down with longtime friend and host of The Expert Podcast, Jake Arnold. Join them as they chat about the keys to achieving Brigette’s signature “Gucci-meets-Gap” aesthetic, their top takeaways from working with A-listers, and more.
Photography by Yoshihiro Makino; Design by Brigette Romanek
On Designing for Celebrity Clients
Brigette’s roster includes some of the world’s biggest names: Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, and Joe Jonas, to name a few. “There’s a lot of growth that happens when working with fellow creatives,” she shares. “It pushes me to step up and be vocal. Gwyneth encouraged me to seek out the design wildcards, which I’m very grateful for. From our first meeting, it was a continuous exchange of ideas.”
On Her Approach to Design
As one of Hollywood’s top interior designers, it should come as no surprise that Brigette likens putting together a room to making a blockbuster film: “Designing a space is a lot like making a movie—there are different scenes but they all connect back to the main storyline,” she explains. “I look at a house like a big canvas on which to tell a story, but each room gets an individual treatment. It’s about making everything relate to one another.”
Photography by Michael Clifford; Design by Brigette Romanek
On Mixing High and Low
Known for her ‘Gucci-Meets-Gap’ aesthetic, Brigette’s effortless designs always start with a high-low mix (just look at her Showroom for proof). “It’s the way my brain works, she says. “I have kids and dogs, yet I want to live with beautiful things. This blend leads to some of the coolest, most interesting results. It creates a space that you want to live with for years to come.”
On Working With Historic Properties
Brigette has had the luxury of living (and working) in some of the most beautiful, historic homes in Los Angeles. The designer has struck the ultimate balance of paying homage to a house’s past while peppering in a modern flavor: “When I look at a building and its history, I try to embrace the quirks,” she shares. “Something soulful has to happen. It’s what brings a space comfort and makes it feel warm.”
Photography by Yoshihiro Makino; Design by Brigette Romanek
On Getting the Livable Luxe Look
When starting from scratch, it can be intimidating to figure out how to make a room feel sophisticated and lived-in, so Brigette recommends building a room one element at a time: “The layers—the furniture, fabrics, drapery, and rugs—are huge when working in a brand new environment,” she shares. “Vintage pieces are a beautiful way to bring soul into a space too. A bit of whimsy makes for good design.”
Photography by Michael Clifford; Design by Brigette Romanek