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Brigette Romanek Conjures a Statement-Making Den Around an Amoako Boafo Painting

Using one of the artist's textural portraits as muse, Romanek crafts a multilayered space filled with vibrant colors, geometric shapes, and refined textiles

By Jacqueline Terrebonne
Collage of modern home decor items including a painting, sofa, sculpture, rug, and various furniture pieces.

Comfortable environments that sparkle with intelligence and wit seem to come naturally to the ever-talented, Los Angeles–based designer Brigette Romanek. Since founding her firm, Romanek Design Studio, in 2018, she’s conceived unstuffy, art-filled homes for creative elites, including Gwyneth Paltrow and ballet dancer Misty Copeland, as well as a retail space for floral genius Eric Buterbaugh and a revamped Petit Trois for chef Ludo Lefebvre.

“It’s a dream of mine to own a portrait by Amoako Boafo,” says the designer. “His use of color is sophisticated and fresh. I see this work hanging in a 1940s wood-paneled den, where you can be pulled in and enveloped by the experience.”

Woman in a pink dress sitting on a white couch, with a black dog resting beside her.
Brigette Romanek. Photo: Ye Rin Mok
A painting of a person wearing a blue top and white skirt standing against a pink background.
Joy in Purple (2019) by Amoako Boafo, auctioned at Phillips in July 2020. Photo: COURTESY OF PHILLIPS
Ornate floral ceiling light fixture with intricate metal leaves and purple flowers on a white background.
1461 ceiling light by Epoca Lampadari; 1stdibs.com. Photo: Courtesy of 1stDibs
Abstract wooden sculpture on a wooden base with a smooth, dark curved design against a plain white background.
Adegio sculpture by Nicholas Shurey; gardeshop.com. Photo: Courtesy of Garde
Tall white sculptural vase with textured surface against a plain background
Eole floor lamp by Pierre Augustin Rose; theinvisiblecollection.com Photo: Courtesy of The Invisible Collection
Blue and white geometric square pattern rug on a white background.
Homage to the Square rug by Josef Albers; christopherfarr.com. Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Farr
Curved white sofa with wooden base against a minimalist white wall background.
Split sofa by Emmanuelle Simon; theinvisiblecollection.com. Photo: Courtesy of The Invisible Collection
Turquoise ceramic stool with a glossy finish against a plain white background.
Barth stool by Le Berre Vevaud; theinvisiblecollection.com. Photo: COURTESY OF THE INVISIBLE COLLECTION
Blue velvet armchair with plush cushions and a modern design on a gold base.
Pacha lounge chair from Gubi; gubi.com. Photo: Courtesy of Gubi

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2021 Spring Issue under the headline “Portrait Perfect.” Subscribe to the magazine.