September 17, 2025

A Newport Beach Escape by Laura Brophy

On the shores of Newport Beach, California, Laura Brophy - founder and principal designer of Laura Brophy Interiors - has completed a new build that beautifully embodies coastal transitional living. Recently, we spoke with Laura about the project and her design philosophy, exploring the inspirations and ideas that shape her work.

Victoria Aluminum Lounge Chair

In the California Coast, outdoor living is a central element to the area’s design ethos. As a design studio rooted in Newport Beach, CA, how do you approach creating indoor and outdoor spaces that feel seamlessly connected?

On the California coast, it’s almost impossible to separate the indoors from the outdoors; and why would you want to? In our work, we lean into that rhythm. Large openings, layered natural textures, and thoughtful sightlines let a home breathe with the ocean air. We design with flow in mind, so a living room and terrace feel like one story told in two chapters.

Amalfi 2 Seat Armless Sofa

Your work emphasizes creating homes that feel deeply personal to each client. What practices or tools do you rely on to ensure every sanctuary is uniquely attuned to their needs?

Every home begins with listening. We spend time understanding how our clients live, what they value, and even the rituals that anchor their days. From there, we build layers of meaning into the design; whether it’s a custom banquette where morning coffee is always savored, or a family room shaped around movie nights. Mood boards, sampling trips, and design storytelling help ensure no two sanctuaries are alike.

At Harbour, we believe the balance between beauty and functionality is essential for creating spaces that stand the test of time. What design elements do you prioritize when thinking about longevity within a home?

Longevity is about integrity. We prioritize natural materials that patina beautifully over time, layouts that adapt to life’s seasons, and pieces that balance function with sculptural presence. When the bones of a home are timeless, trends can come and go without shaking its soul.

Noosa Dining Chair

Set within the Lido Peninsula in Newport Beach, your Vitamin Sea project features stunning open spaces that bring the outside in. What was top of mind for you when designing a project so closely tied to the beachfront?

Designing right on the sand is a study in restraint. At Vitamin Sea, we wanted the ocean to do most of the talking. The architecture opens wide to the horizon, while interiors remain calm, tactile, and grounded—so the whole experience feels like an exhale.

Amalfi 2 Seat Armless Sofa

We’re delighted that Harbour pieces are featured throughout the exterior spaces at Vitamin Sea. What guided your selection of outdoor furniture for this project?

For Vitamin Sea, Harbour felt like the natural choice. The furniture carries the same spirit we wanted in the home; enduring craftsmanship, sculptural beauty, and resilience against the coastal elements. Each piece needed to look effortless but also live beautifully in salt air and sun.

Victoria Teak 3 Seat Sofa

How do your design priorities shift when working with a petite outdoor space versus a larger one?

With petite outdoor spaces, we prioritize intimacy and flexibility—multi-functional pieces, clever storage, and layouts that invite connection. Larger spaces give us room to create zones: dining, lounging, quiet retreat. In both, we edit ruthlessly. Less is more when outdoors is the star.

Noosa Dining Chair

The use of natural materials plays a strong role in this project. How did those choices influence the furnishings placed throughout the home?

We lean on stone, wood, plaster, and linen because they hold a tactile honesty. Those materials influenced the furnishings—we wanted furniture that could sit beside a raw oak table or plastered wall and feel equally authentic. It’s about continuity.

MLB Teak Armless Dining Chairs

Though each of your projects has its own distinct aesthetic, they all share a warmth and familiarity that makes them effortlessly inviting. How do you cultivate that sense of comfort and connection across different projects?

The through line is always soul. We design homes that invite you to exhale the moment you step inside. That comes from layering textures, creating cozy proportions, and honoring the client’s life in the details. Comfort doesn’t compete with beauty—it amplifies it.

Victoria Aluminum Taupe Side Table

Your brick-and-mortar shop, Brophy Market, showcases a curated mix of home décor and furniture. How did your journey in interior design inspire you to expand into this venture?

Brophy Market grew out of a desire to share more than finished homes. I wanted a space where our community could experience the tactile beauty we source daily—ceramics, furniture, candles, objects that carry story and spirit. It’s design you can bring home today, without waiting for a remodel.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in 2026?

2026 feels like a horizon year. We’re deepening our product collaborations, expanding Brophy Market, and unveiling projects that push the dialogue between architecture, interiors, and wellness. What excites me most is creating spaces—and products—that inspire people to live not just beautifully, but meaningfully.