Brigette Romanek’s Crate & Barrel Collab Is a Master Class in Mixing Materials — And an Homage to California’s Beauty

Crate & Barrel just dropped its latest celebrity collaboration, and it’s with none other than author and talented designer Brigette Romanek. Known for her work with her own famous clients — from Gwyneth Paltrow to Beyoncé — this assortment is 100% Romanek. Think California coast with a little bit of city edge, a touch of glamour but still down to earth. The phrase “livable but luxe,” also the title of Romanek’s 2023 book, comes to mind for the range. 

Within the 54-piece assortment you’ll find everything from daybeds, sofas, and chairs to tables, consoles, and dressers. Two of the standout pieces include the Malibu Sofa (shown above), which doubles down on the chocolate brown trend with its chenille upholstery, and the Montecito Extended Headboard Bed with Lighting, a very chic bed with integrated bedside lamps (shown below), something that looks like it could be in the most bespoke boutique hotel.

The whole line is inspired by and celebrates the beauty of Romanek’s home state of California. Pieces are imbued with the designer’s signature effortlessly cool but slightly glam aesthetic. While these furnishings are made of finer materials, though, they don’t feel too precious.

Materials are artfully mixed to create truly unique mashups, like the Laurel Canyon Wood and Marble End Table and the Beachcomber Oak Wood and Tile Media Console. The latter (shown below) features a unique textured ceramic tile striping on its bleached wood front. The collection doesn’t skimp on finishing touches either. Plenty of tabletop accessories, including striking vases, decorative trays, and sculptural candleholders, are available as well as cozy alpaca blankets. 

Lighting may be the true standout of the assortment, though. Romanek and the Crate & Barrel design team pushed the envelope by introducing several stone-forward designs, including the Beachwood Golden Calacatta Marble Lamp with Wicker Shade and the Cloud White Onyx Dual Flush Mount & Wall Sconce Light. This use of natural materials here reinforces the tranquil feel of the entire collection, which comes across through peaceful colors, bleached woods, and soft but tactile touches. 

My favorite in the lighting category — and maybe also for Romanek herself and Sebastian Brauer, senior vice president of product design at Crate & Barrel (after chatting with them about the collab), is the Cali White Alabaster Wall Sconce Light. Its a curvy, C-shaped fixture (shown above mounted on wallpaper) that I’ve truly never seen anything like before. With its brushed brass and honed alabaster construction, it looks different from all angles but resembles a beautiful piece of jewelry and is stunning whether on or off. 

When asked which piece might be her very favorite for a small space, Romanek pointed to the Sunset Daybed. She loves its shape and versatility, calling it the perfect solution for a city apartment where sometimes your living room sofa has to double as a guest bedroom. There really is something for everyone and every space in the collection.

Prices start at just $39.95 for the small ribbed ceramic vase (shown above with yellow flowers in it) and range into the thousands for the largest furniture pieces. Pieces are available in stores and online now.