Oh My Styled Life

A Modern Farmhouse in Minnesota with Vintage Charm

O’Hara Interiors’ Gabby Laboy designs a personalized modern farmhouse new build in Independence, Minnesota.

Modern farmhouse interior design is beloved for its clean lines, rustic charm, and inviting warmth, but what makes a house truly feel like home is when those timeless elements are personalized to the people who live there. For a family in Independence, Minnesota, O’Hara Interiors partnered with Haven Homes to design a new build that balances the homeowners’ favorite aspects of the modern farmhouse style with details that reflect their personal style. Leading the project was senior designer Gabby Laboy, whose almost 20 years of experience in both residential and commercial design have earned her recognition in publications such as House Beautiful, Midwest Design, and Midwest Living. With her signature talent for balancing high-end style with everyday livability, here’s how Gabby designed a modern farmhouse-inspired home that feels authentic to the family.

Read Midwest Design Magazine’s cover story on the Modern Homestead project, featuring interviews with Gabby Laboy, Brandon Derks of Haven Homes, and the homeowners.

Modern Farmhouse living room with vaulted ceilings and a stone fireplace. Furnished with seating around a large coffee table on a large patterned rug. Located in Independence, Minnesota. Designed by O'Hara Interiors

What Defines Modern Farmhouse Interior Design?

Natural materials, clean lines, and weathered details are some of the hallmarks of modern farmhouse interior design, and Gabby welcomed the opportunity to include these elements throughout the design. “Overall, the style is about comfort and practicality, creating a cozy and inviting environment,” says Gabby.

A color palette of creamy whites, espresso browns, and the occasional mossy green harmonizes with the home’s surrounding landscape. Whether the house is surrounded by crisp autumn leaves or blanketed by snow, the interior feels warm and welcoming.

In the kitchen, white oak cabinetry with a natural finish hides appliances and stores everyday cooking essentials, while stunning quartzite countertops provide durability and a touch of refinement. The vaulted ceiling in the living room is accented with exposed wood beams that highlight the home’s architectural character, anchored by a ceiling-high cast stone fireplace. These natural materials in the open concept main floor are a visual connection between the adjoining dining room, living room, and kitchen.

Modern Farmhouse dining room furnished with a family heirloom hutch, 2 accent end chairs, a black and wooden dining table, and 4 dining chairs. The seating arrangement lays on top of a cream vintage rug. Located in Independence, Minnesota. Design by O'Hara Interiors.

Source One-of-a-Kind Vintage Pieces

Sourcing vintage or antique pieces takes time and expertise, but is always worth the effort. In this home, the dining room was the perfect space for Gabby to layer meaningful vintage pieces and bring depth and authenticity to modern farmhouse interior design. This family heirloom hutch provided the perfect functional and character-rich backdrop for meals, and beneath the antique table, a vintage Fay + Belle rug in cream with subtle blue and brown detailing softens the room with timeless, subtle charm.

Have questions about how to include vintage pieces in your home? Read OHI Senior Design Heather Chadwick’s recent interview with The Spruce here.

Incorporate Custom Elements

Several custom elements elevate this modern farmhouse toward a curated and personalized result. In the kitchen, Gabby centered the design around a bold black La Cornue range, which was custom-designed as both a statement piece and to deliver professional-level performance. In the living room, she introduced a rust-hued custom patchwork area rug from Fay + Belle, adding artistry and a sense of collected character.

Living Room And Kitchen Designed By O'Hara Interiors. Both areas feature arches in the doorways, built-in shelving, and soft curves in the furniture.

Feature Organic Shapes & Contemporary Details

One way to refresh modern farmhouse design is by weaving in contemporary details that soften its rustic framework while adding polish and personality. In this home, curved archways in several doorways and within the built-in shelving beside the living room fireplace lend subtle balance the home’s strong lines. In the living room, furniture choices further this effect: curved accent chairs and mushroom-toned footstools in organic shapes pair beautifully with a low-profile sofa designed for casual comfort. Mixed-material side tables, crafted with warm wood interiors and concrete waterfall edges, add modern edge and textural contrast. Even the main floor powder room embraces this blend, where Gabby selected a brass wire mirror with an undulating frame to hang along the floor-to-ceiling herringbone porcelain tiled wall.

Find more O’Hara Interiors contemporary design inspiration in this ICONIC LIFE article about one of our recent custom home projects in Wayzata, Minnesota.

An office with two bookshelves on both sides of a large window, color drenched in a dark gray paint with blue undertones. This same paint is color drenched throughout the room. Located in Independence, Minnesota. Designed by O'Hara Interiors.

Go Bold!

While color drenching might not feel like the natural choice for a modern farmhouse, Gabby embraced the technique to striking effect. “For the office, we wanted a masculine, moody aesthetic, which we achieved by color drenching with a dark, rich tone,” says Gabby.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the house, the space is fully enveloped in Farrow & Ball “Down Pipe,” a dark gray with blue undertones. The built-in shelving, ceiling, and walls share the same satin finish, creating a dramatic backdrop that feels bold yet appropriate within the home’s overall design.

Ready to build your custom dream home in the Upper Lakes Region? Connect with the O’Hara Interiors MN design team to learn about how we can personalize your house today.