"Designer Brigette Romanek shares her advice on effortlessly crafting a refined outdoor apértivo hour"
Lose the formal tact and let's dive right into the world of Brigette Romanek, the revolutionary designer shaking up the Californian style game. Her home, and those she's worked on for A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyoncé, exude classy yet laid-back vibes that'll make you feel like royalty without the stiffness. From pricey materials like bouclé and metallics to Spanish tiled floors and rustic wood tables, her designs are the epitome of luxury that doesn't make you feel like you're standing on eggshells.
"Life's better when you're surrounded by beauty," says Brigette, shedding light on her design perspective – a belief that the right environment can set the stage for good feelings and unforgettable memories. She's all about energy, crafting spaces that radiate warmth, beauty, and celebration – the perfect backdrop for epic drinks, laughter, and memories that last a lifetime.
Now, let's chat about how Brigette brings her signature "elevated relaxation" vibe to outdoor gatherings, especially during that magical golden hour in LA.
Crafting the Ultimate Alfresco Aperitivo Hour with Brigette Romanek
Golden Hour Glow-Up: Golden hour is all about soaking in that golden glow. Brigette's advice? Set the scene with cozy, low seating, a bunch of throw blankets, vintage trays, and bowls scattered about. It's all about balance – being thoughtful without being too over-the-top.
Livable Luxe Outdoors: Brigette's approach to alfresco aperitivo hours is simple: create a space that oozes warmth, beauty, and celebration. And here's how she does it – by including soft textures, layered materials, and pieces that invite people to relax. Perfection isn't the goal – it's about creating a space that wraps you up in coziness and makes you feel like you belong.
Color Palette: Brigette's currently bowled over by warm, earthy tones like clay, olive, sand, and natural fabrics like linen or cotton. She's also into warm yellows and rusts, pale greens with muted blues, and even a dash of lavender mixed with a little gray. The goal? Adding texture and personality to make your space feel vibrant and inviting.
Easy Breezy Drinks: Brigette's all about serving a seasonal spritz, something fresh with citrus or herbs, a great bottle of wine, and a non-alcoholic option that still feels festive. The key is keeping things simple yet special with pitchers and carafes letting guests serve themselves and keep the vibe casual and welcoming.
Decorative Touches: If Brigette adds any extra decorative flourishes, they're fun and personal – think beautiful stirrers or handmade details that add a touch of charm. She believes it's those small touches that make things feel intimate and considered.
Finger-Friendly Foods: For snacks, Brigette piles on marinated olives, fruit, almonds, maybe some warm bread with a few dips. The idea is serving light, easy eats that keep the energy flowing and let guests connect with one another.
Mingle-Friendly Seating: Brigette knows that seating arrangements can be tricky when you want guests to mingle. Her solution? Mixing it up with pillows, poufs, stools, and maybe a bench or some vintage chairs. The key is variety – using pieces with harmonious textures and colors that naturally draw people together and create cozy spots to hang out.
Party Playlist: Music sets the tone, says Brigette, and it should be warm, full of rhythm, and make you smile. She's currently loving SZA's vibes.
Scents and Lights: Brigette recommends adding a hint of palo santo or an earthy, grounding scent to create a full sensory experience. And as the sun sets, she suggests lighting up candles, lanterns, string lights, and maybe even a small lamp to make the space glow and feel enchanting.
Final Words: A fire pit always brings people together, adds Brigette, creating a warm and timeless gathering spot. So, if you're gunning for an unforgettable alfresco aperitivo hour, consider adding a fire pit to your setup – it'll ensure your guests linger and enjoy the good vibes even longer.
Dressing Your Party with Brigette Romanek's Style
Brigette is all about "the vibes," using the positive energy her work creates as a way to gauge her success. As she says, "People always remember how they felt in a space more than how it looked." The same is true of a party, and Brigette's advice is to keep the aesthetic simple, focusing on natural colors and adding a few fun flourishes to amp up the party spirit. Need some pointers on what to add to your party setup? Check out these curated pieces below.
Stir Up the Fun: This adornment is unnecessary but so much fun, immediately dialing up the party spirit. Match the fruits on the end of the picks with the color of the cocktail.
Squiggle It: Designed by the New York-based artist Sophie Lou Jacobsen, the Squiggle tray is a unique, playful piece that would delight guests and serve as the perfect spot for those yummy snacks.
Energizing Containers: Brigette prefers to serve pre-mixed drinks in carafes so guests feel happy to help themselves, and this orange design is energizing and uplifting.
Liveable Luxe Book: For more inspiration and tips from the mind of Brigette Romanek, check out her book, "Liveable Luxe."
Romanek Design Studio: Get more design ideas and connect with Brigette and her team by visiting the Romanek Design Studio website.
- Incorporating Brigette Romanek's signature style into a party setup, one might consider adorning cocktails with fun fruit stirrers, as she believes these small touches add a touch of charm that contributes to the overall feeling of the event.
- For a space exuding Brigette Romanek's aesthetic, one might opt for the Squiggle tray designed by Sophie Lou Jacobsen – a unique and playful piece that would delight guests while serving as a perfect spot for appetizing snacks during an alfresco gathering.
