Hi Brittny! To start, could you tell us a little about yourself and your journey into design?
My name is Brittny Button and I’m the founder and principal designer of Button Atelier. It’s an interior design firm, started in 2019 and my work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Vogue Living, Homes & Gardens, Livingetc. My first project in Palm Springs that was featured in AD was a pivotal moment for me.
How did your passion for interior design first begin to blossom?
It started in childhood, when my parents educated my eye on different kinds of architecture, Art Deco furniture finds and hunting at flea markets for antiques. Additionally, at my home growing up, we were always renovating and I was exposed to how new flooring and removing walls can transform a space. This is where my love for design first began.
What role do rugs play in your overall design philosophy, especially within luxury interiors?
They’ve been paramount to conveying an elevated feeling to the interior’s aesthetic. More often than not, they are the missing piece that ties the room together or is the very thread that makes the entire space ‘work’ from a design standpoint.
In your eyes, what qualities make a rug truly timeless?
Intensity of color, materials used and if the pattern is classical in nature. I never opt for anything that could read as trendy or too pattern heavy. I always ask myself could this rug live in a palatial manor in the Amalfi coast, a British Manor or an Old Belgian monastery; if aesthetically it’s a yes to at least two of these kinds of estates then I know it has a timeless quality to it.
How do you create harmony between vintage rugs and modern furniture in a space?
It’s the curation of the pieces and how it’s styled together. There needs to be a balance.
Can you walk us through your process for selecting the perfect rug for a room?
It needs to have textural grounding and add a cohesion to the space. To me, second from the wall color and treatment the rug is a vital component to designing the space and making it feel elevated. The color, pattern and material all have to feel right with the aesthetic I’m trying to foster.
What are your favorite ways to style antique rugs in more contemporary or minimalist spaces?
As Mies Van de Rohe stated - ‘Less is More’ in these kinds of spaces. Often the rug becomes the one textural element that literally grounds the room. In this way, it has a poignant power and adds real presence. I love the juxtaposing of antique rugs in minimalist modern interiors. It adds drama, in a visual way! Remember to ensure there’s a layering of one tonal color to keep it feeling classy and elevated.
What are the most common mistakes you see homeowners make when choosing rugs without expert help?
Ugly pattern choice. Unflattering color selection with the rest of the room. It clashes, or is abhorrent with other furniture pieces rather than embellishes the overall feeling of the room.
How do you integrate vintage rugs with other textiles—like curtains, upholstery, and throws—to create a cohesive look?
The vintage rug acts as the guide. I love to do monochromatic tonals - just creams and a tan, or all tan shades - this adds an elevated monotone feeling that is seamless. Too many colors used in one room is jarring to the eye and disrupts the look.
Have you ever designed an entire room around one special rug? If so, could you tell us about that experience?
Absolutely. Many times it’s the rug that sets the tone for the room and then I riff off all the colors and mood that’s exhibited in this singular piece. It becomes the inspiration around which I design.
From your perspective, do clients typically see antique rugs as investments or purely decorative pieces? What’s your advice on that balance?
Ultimately, I think it’s both. Often my hope is that my children will inherit many of the rugs I’ve collected over time. I purchase quality items that will have the longevity to stand the test of time. Also, ensuring that they’re a classical aesthetic means, they’ll be timeless too and not be dated after a couple years, style wise.
And finally, what rug styling trends are you most excited about right now?
It’s not a particular style, instead it’s the ‘relevance of the rug’ and how it takes center stage in a room now. New home builds or renovations are staying away from carpet and opt for rugs that offer comfort and soundproofing to interiors plus an injection of sheer style.