Claire Harper Claire Harper | December 18, 2020 | Home & Real Estate,
Balancing organic modern design with livability, Laura Brophy Interiors created a family home that’s both practical and beautiful.
When a husband and wife with three young children and a dog tapped Corona Del Mar-based interior designer Laura Brophy for a home that was equal parts luxurious and functional, she knew exactly what to do. “My vision for this project was to create a serene, open and airy home that was reflective of the indoor-outdoor California lifestyle,” she starts. “I wanted the home to be luxurious but refined and focused on gorgeous pieces that were not necessarily ‘trendy’ and would stand the test of time.”
One step inside the Newport Beach home and a beautiful custom sculpture by ADG Lighting greets you in the foyer. “It’s one of the first things you see when entering the home and it really creates visual interest,” says Brophy of the piece, which is complemented by an oversize circular mirror and original large-scale photography by Ariane Moshayedi, whose work is featured throughout the home. “Also included in the entryway is a living wall, which was included to add to the indoor-outdoor feel of the home,” notes Brophy.
Once you’ve managed to pull yourself away from the foyer—which also boasts a stunning brass sculpture by Kelly Wearstler—the room gives way to the home’s largest space, which combines the kitchen, family room and dining room. For the living area, the team decided to bring the exterior stone wall into the space to create a seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoors. Complementing furnishings include a large floating concrete bench from Hart Concrete Design, custom white upholstered sofas from Lee Industries, three fossilized clam coffee tables by Palecek and a cast-plaster side table by John Dickson—the designer’s favorite pieces in the house. “We tried to include many luxurious, timeless pieces that will stand up to the test of time. We focused on using many natural materials and avoided man-made materials whenever possible,” shares the designer, who completed the home alongside Tony Valentine Construction, Brandon Architects and Richard Lusk Landscape and Design. As for the expansive room’s coolest installation? “Weather permitting, the large, retractable wall can be opened and the outdoor patio becomes part of the living space,” Brophy says. “It really captures the indoor-outdoor California lifestyle we were striving for.”
For the kitchen, the use of organic materials came into play. “We wanted to create a space that was not only visually stunning, but also extremely functional,” shares Brophy. From the focal-point waterfall-edge quartzite island with bar seating for five to the glass pendants by ADG Lighting hanging above the island at various heights to the custom graphite kitchen faucet by California Faucets and a full appliance suite from Miele, the kitchen redefines modern living. As for the dining room, Brophy called on Robert James and Palecek for the dining table and chairs, respectively, and, combined, the two spaces blend together in perfect harmony.
The single-story home’s spacious floorplan also reveals four beautifully designed bedrooms, including the master bedroom, which features custom wide-plank European oak wood flooring from Warren Christopher, Phillip Jeffries wallpaper and double chaises perfect for lounging. Beyond the bedroom lies the exquisite master bath. A large quartzite walk-in shower with custom graphite fixtures by California Faucets (who also did the custom graphite plumbing) is teamed with a free-standing Victoria & Albert tub. California-cool “Palm Trees Art” photographs by Ariane Moshayedi adorn the wall above the tub.
After setting out to create a bespoke space that was elevated yet practical, it’s safe to say Brophy achieved her goal in spades in this Newport Beach oasis.
Photography by: All photos by Ariane Moshayedi