In this episode of The Idealists. (formerly Grit & Grace), host and entrepreneur Melissa Kiguwa interviews Brigette Romanek, one of Los Angeles’ most sought after Interior Designers and one of Architectural Digest’s 2019 “AD 100,” which lists their picks for the one hundred top designers in the world. In this episode, Brigette shares the importance of filling your life with what is marvelous and beautiful.
“I want to create beauty. I want people to feel good. I want to create with all the chaos in our world and in our lives. I want to create something where someone will come inside and say this is their love letter to themselves and to their family and this is a place where they can let go and be their best.”
episode highlights.
The episode begins with Melissa describing the new changes to the podcast and why we rebranded.
Brigette then shares that to be an interior designer is to be in the service industry and that clients’ needs surpass the designers’ need for individual expression. Melissa shares a story about the legend of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s mischief and his lack of practicality when designing a home.
Brigette tells her designing origin story stemming from living in London while her husband was shooting a film. After returning back to Los Angeles, she and her family moved to Hancock Park because the homes and neighborhood reminded them of London. She designed the home in six weeks and friends began asking her to design theirs.
She shares her life philosophy regarding interior design and how it is a love letter her clients are writing to themselves and their families. She also shares the one time a world-traveler client asked her to design their home in a way that would both invigorate and challenge them.
Melissa asks Brigette how she reframes beauty for her clients and Brigette describes how she supports and nurtures her clients to take risks. She sees her work as expanding how her clients imagine they can live and inhabit a space.
Brigette ends the episode by sharing a bit about her childhood growing up on the south side of Chicago and her advice for women entrepreneurs navigating a high-powered marriage.