May 20, 2021

Laura Brophy Designs a Family Home in Cerritos, California With Entertaining in Mind

The kitchen and dining area light fixtures were selected to mirror the architecture of the home kitchen and dining area, and are designed by Katy Skelton. Photography by Tim Hirschmann.

For the Cerritos, California, home of a retired NFL player, designer Laura Brophy prioritized comfort—and room for entertaining. The clients, who opted to reconstruct their existing house from the ground up, entrusted Brophy to flex her creativity in the space, which features an open floor plan that enables communal areas to flow together. “We really had fun because the clients trusted us throughout the whole process,” Brophy asserts, noting that they wanted their home to feel modern and simple. “We took a less is more approach,” she adds. In doing so, Brophy and her team added intrigue in unexpected places, like the bathroom off of the main bedroom, which features a moody palette of dark grey stone and tile that made for a striking client reveal moment. 

In the kitchen, blue and oak mixed tone cabinets draw the eye upwards to the custom soffit, which floats above the waterfall edge island and dining nook. Brophy incorporated ample seating throughout—even adding chairs in the entryway beneath the staircase. “There’s no wasted room in this house,” she shares. “We get one shot to create something really special for a family, so wanted to bring it all to this project.” The resulting space features luxurious design elements without pretension, making for an inviting home designed for gatherings, large and small. 

Plants below the staircase enliven the entryway. Photography by Tim Hirschmann.
The main living room opens to the dining area. Photography by Tim Hirschmann.
The main bedroom features layers of serene hues and soft textures. Photography by Tim Hirschmann.

The bathroom is anchored by a freestanding tub, housed inside of a large walk-in shower that also doubles as a steam room. Photography by Tim Hirschmann.
The home features ample seating for entertaining guests. Photography by Tim Hirschmann.
The exterior of the home. Photography by Laura Brophy Interiors. 

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