

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

Brigette Romanek. Photo: Ye Rin Mok
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.”

Joy in Purple (2019) by Amoako Boafo, auctioned at Phillips in July 2020. Photo: COURTESY OF PHILLIPS

1461 ceiling light by Epoca Lampadari; 1stdibs.com. Photo: Courtesy of 1stDibs

Adegio sculpture by Nicholas Shurey; gardeshop.com. Photo: Courtesy of Garde

Eole floor lamp by Pierre Augustin Rose; theinvisiblecollection.com Photo: Courtesy of The Invisible Collection

Homage to the Square rug by Josef Albers; christopherfarr.com. Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Farr

Split sofa by Emmanuelle Simon; theinvisiblecollection.com. Photo: Courtesy of The Invisible Collection

Barth stool by Le Berre Vevaud; theinvisiblecollection.com. Photo: COURTESY OF THE INVISIBLE COLLECTION

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.