IN CONVERSATION WITH BRITTNY BUTTON

interview by JANA LETONJA

Brittny Button, the visionary interior designer behind Button Interiors has quickly established herself as a go-to designer for some of Hollywood’s most exclusive homes. She is married to Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button, and has become a fashionable fixture at sporting events worldwide. We had the pleasure of joining and chatting with Brittny at Monaco Grand Prix.

You’ve attended Grand Prix events all over the world. What makes Monaco feel so iconic and different for you?

It’s the location on the Mediterranean sea, optimal time of year and in combination with the fact that it’s the marquee GP. Everyone involved in F1 from the past, present and future attends this one. It’s not to be missed. Plus, my birthday happens in this time frame as well, and it’s an incredible way to celebrate.

You’ve coined the idea of “accessible luxury.” What does that mean to you, especially when dressing for high-profile events like Monaco?

No matter how chic the look is, you still need to be able to move and breathe in the outfit. Often the option of wearing a corset is thrown out, because sitting for long periods is just brutal. Or, same with a slim fitting skirt. I want to wear the clothes rather than the other way around. My style motto is refined elegance, subtly sexy, mixed with wearability. Mixing high and low priced items together into one outfit creates a distinct aesthetic. For Monaco weather, I’m drawn to breathable fabrics like linen, cotton and rich colors.

You emphasize rewearing and maximizing your wardrobe. Any style tips for people wanting to look luxe without over-consuming?

Yes, always buy vintage. It’s cheaper and a sustainable practice. Recently, for a Roberto Cavalli event in Miami, I wore a vintage piece from their archives. I loved the dress style and cut. For several years now, I’ve been collecting vintage Hermes and Chanel items like purses, shoes and jackets. In Monaco, it’s the ultimate time to show off several of these pieces. Styling wise, I’m not afraid to mix a short set from Zara, paired with a vintage Chanel bag and Bulgari jewelry. Tip wise, if I’m not fully committed to an item, I just ask to borrow or rent it for the occasion instead.

How do you strike a balance between being stylish and comfortable, especially when attending events that span several days and settings?

Try to find items with some percentage of stretch to the fabric, bring layers and have multiple look options. I like to dress based on my mood at the time, the weather and the event vibe. Again, I always do a ‘sit’ and ‘dance’ test with the ensemble, in case my alter ego ‘Diamond’ decides to come out and take to the dance floor. If I can’t sit comfortably for example to attend a dinner, I’m swapping out the constricting item. Moreover, I like to own that I’m a woman and do show some skin and curves. I come from the modelling world after all.

You’ve built Button Atelier into a go-to design destination for Hollywood clients. How do you juggle the creativity of interior design with traveling around the world?

Hollywood and the surrounding LA area is composed of many diverse people and often their homes are reflections of their many lives lived. To encapsulate it, there’s an ease and informality to the kind of design these clients look for. I find this is what I look for too. It makes them livable homes couched in functional design. Who would want a living room that you can’t relax in? There’s a load that lifts off of you when you can fully detox in a space. The constant travel fuels my inspiration. The mixing of historical architecture, color use and textures further defines my eye. Cali clients continuously want elevated ease when it comes to interior style.

What inspired you to start Button Atelier, and what was the turning point when you felt your work was really gaining traction?

I’ve had a deep love for architecture and a fascination with interior design since I was a teenager. I grew up renovating our house and hunting for antiques with my family. It’s what helped to train my eye. What ultimately made me want to turn my affinity for design into a business derived from the profits we made from selling our Palm Springs’ properties and the global press recognition that was generated. The first was when my Casa de Tierra del Sol property in Palm Springs was featured in Architectural Digest, and then when my Casa Encanto project in Calabasas was in Vogue Living Australia. These were pivotal game changers for me to take design seriously.

What interior design trends do you see gaining momentum in 2025, and how can people incorporate them in a timeless way?

Trendless classicism is at the forefront of design. The lack of trend is the trend. You’ll see the popularity of organic shapes, dark woods, burled detailing and lush boucles. Biophilic design attributes are everywhere by maximizing the inclusion of greenery and light, and are paramount. 

What are a few of your go-to sustainable design practices, and what items do you recommend investing in versus avoiding?

Always include vintage and antique pieces. They add insurmountable historical value to a space and undeniable character. Plus, with today’s economy it can save you a ton of money. Often, I find items are just begging to be reinvisioned with new upholstery or stain if wood is involved. Wall treatments such as faux finishes are often overlooked, except they are money well spent. Consider a lime wash or plaster treatment to create a kind of intimacy to the room. Repetition is impactful. In my Malibu project, the striated lines in the cement in the shower is a practice of understated minimalism.

As a mother, designer, content creator, and partner to an F1 World Champion, how do you manage to balance it all?

It’s ok to be a see-saw at times, rather than balanced. That’s how life is, we’re human after all. Jenson and I are each other's biggest supporters and really believe that we each have distinct strengths. What I love is that everyday is different and we’re fortunate to travel the world on a regular basis. The kids will be global citizens with their exposure to new places, coupled with Jenson being from the United Kingdom and I’m from the United States, especially as they get older and can travel more. My utmost focus is my family as they’re my ‘home’ and world. Otherwise, with ongoing renovations and client projects I try to prioritize time bound decisions first, trust my team's instincts and be incredibly decisive. I’m protective about time spent. I try to determine the duration of the task at hand and weigh whether there’s overall value to our bottom line and business goals. 

What is coming up next for you?

Lots. Here’s what I can share. My interior design project for a client in Malibu is nearing completion in June and I’ve been working on a Button Atelier furniture collection that will debut in the Fall.