Oh My Styled Life

O’Hara Interiors is proud to co-sponsor a home on this fall’s AIA MN Homes by Architects Tour, highlighting the work of Twin Cities architects.

Each year, Twin Cities architects participate in the AIA MN Homes by Architects Tour, a home tour series that allows guests to see stunning architectural work in usually private residential homes. Elysian Fields, (Home #12) on the tour, is a custom home designed by Christopher Strom Architects and O’Hara Interiors that blends modern and traditional styles to create a “modern Tudor” aesthetic. As Christopher Strom explains, “The homeowners had different tastes—one loved modern, the other traditional. We combined both to create a home that feels balanced and timeless.” 

Address: 7138 Lone Oak Trail N, Stillwater, MN 55082 

Tour Schedule: Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29 

Hours: 10:00 am–5:00 pm each day 

Get tickets to tour this home and others on the tour here.

Inspired By Nature

The entire White Oaks Savanna development is designed around the prairie ecosystem. “The homesites are kept to about half an acre, with the remaining land left as natural prairie. This allows for incredible views of the surrounding landscape, which are fully embraced by the architecture of this home.” Strom echoes this sentiment: “The homeowners wanted the home to be transparent, so when you walk up, you can see straight through to the prairie beyond.” 

See stunning examples of indoor-outdoor living in OHI’s St. Croix Valley Home.

Washburn is particularly proud of how this home fits within the landscape. “The design team, homeowners, and developers collaborated well to ensure that the home feels nestled into the prairie. It’s a perfect balance of style and setting.” On the tour, Dave Washburn (co-developer of White Oaks Savanna) notes, “This Tudor could easily be at home on an urban lot, but what makes it so special is how it embraces its surroundings. The windows bring in views of the prairie and farmland, making the setting as much a part of the home as the architecture.” 

The homeowners’ high-powered careers inspired the work of these Twin Cities architects. “They wanted a place to decompress and connect with nature,” Strom says. This vision is realized in the central living space, which features a 20-foot wide folding door that opens onto the prairie, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. “It’s all about bringing the outside in and allowing the prairie landscape to be part of the home’s daily life,” Strom adds. 

Notable Design Features 

The materials used on the exterior—cedar shingles, copper gutters, and stucco—further emphasize the balance of modern and traditional. “The exterior is striking, with Douglas Fir timbers, cedar shake roofing, and copper details,” says co-developer Dave Washburn. He explains that the vision for White Oaks Savanna was to integrate each home with the natural landscape. “We want each home to represent the tastes and lifestyles of the families living there, and Elysian Fields was sited behind a natural landform, giving it privacy and reducing its visual impact from the main road.” 

One of the home’s standout features is the bold blue front door, selected by O’Hara Interiors. Strom explains, “It’s 4 feet wide and 8 feet tall, with a fixed blue panel next to it. Together, it makes a grand and colorful statement.” Inside, custom touches like hidden kitchen storage and creative design solutions reflect the homeowners’ desire for functionality without compromising aesthetics. “There’s hidden storage behind sliding stone panels on either side of the range, making it both practical and sleek,” says Strom. 

This project was perfect for O’Hara Interiors, who specializes in classic design for modern living. Design elements like a two-story plaster fireplace and bold paint colors and wallpaper feel contemporary, while the elegant primary suite fits a more traditional style.  

See more examples of O’Hara Interiors’ recent design work here.

On the exterior, the home’s swooping rooflines, or “catslide” dormers, add a playful yet sophisticated touch. “These elements really bring the Tudor style into the modern age,” Strom says, highlighting the thoughtful blending of architectural eras. 

As for what they hope visitors take away from the tour, Strom sums it up: “We want people to see that traditional architecture can be innovative and fun. This home reflects the homeowners’ personalities and lifestyle while fully embracing the beauty of the prairie.” 

Join us in celebrating the work of our partners and local Twin Cities architects on the AIA MN Homes by Architects Tour.

• Architect: Christopher Strom Architects 
• Builder: Redstone Builders 
• Developer: White Oaks Savanna 
• Design: O’Hara Interiors