Family-Style Modern Farmhouse

Written by Meryl Schoenbaum

Interior Design and Styling by Gabriela Laboy, O’Hara Interiors

Photography by Spacecrafting

A couple finds the perfect farmland on which to build the family home of their dreams.

In 2024, Trevin Hartung and Amy Foell were ready to build on their dreams. The couple wanted additional space, both in acreage and square footage, to construct a farmhouse for their family. After visiting some farmland properties in Minnesota, they fell in love with one specific lot that still had its original white barn and a small pond.

Set on rolling farmland, the home’s gabled rooflines, natural stone accents, and sun-filled interiors were designed to echo the quiet beauty of the surrounding landscape.

The couple hired custom-home builder Haven Homes (havenhomesmn.com) to turn their new-build dream into a reality. The result was a 2,405-square-foot Modern Farmhouse-style residence in Independence, Minnesota, with two floors and five bedrooms. It was designed for a big, blended family that loves hosting relatives.

Gabriela Laboy, award-winning senior designer for O’Hara Interiors, is an expert at articulating her clients’ style through the design of their home.

The front porch is furnished with durable, weather-resistant pieces that make it an inviting spot to enjoy sunny mornings outdoors—and the dogs love it too!

Trevin and Amy realized early on that in addition to builders they would need a designer to style the Modern Farmhouse look and feel they desired, so they searched for a local interior design firm to help them select the proper finishes and furnishings for their new home. In an online search they found O’Hara Interiors.

Classic farmhouse style can be modernized through architectural details like this built-in arched bookshelf.

Varying ceiling heights create a natural transition from the vaulted living room to the intimate kitchen, defining each space in the open floor plan with its own character.

“They loved the timeless style seen across our portfolio,” says Gabriela Laboy, senior designer at O’Hara Interiors. “We scheduled a first appointment and I immediately knew we’d be a good fit because they’re such warm, kind people who trust their team. Joining the project early on allowed me to be proactive and avoid any major obstacles, which was a blessing for the homeowners and for the builder’s team too,” Gabriela says. “Good collaboration with build partners is essential to a well-designed home and the client experience. I’m grateful to Haven Homes for their consistent communication, regular meetings and the trust they placed in our design vision. Their team executed every element with care, from major architectural moments such as custom-arched doorways to the smallest design details like precise tile placement in the primary bathroom.”

A Cohesive Collaboration

Gabriela points out the greater likelihood for a positive outcome by bringing a designer into the new-build conversations early on. “As the interior designer, early involvement gives me time to review floor plans and ensure the initial plan for the house is meeting the needs of the homeowner’s lifestyle and design goals,” she says. “This level of collaboration and communication was an ideal situation for everyone involved because we stayed aligned on executing the homeowner’s vision at every stage in the process and could make small strategic adjustments as needed. From the first meetings, we knew the layout needed to feel open and connected while providing a private guest suite and a lower level dedicated to the kids’ bedrooms and lounge space. Everyone has their own space, anchored by shared central hub on the main floor where most family activity takes place.”

A beautiful arched opening leads to the pantry, where custom white oak cabinetry and illuminated shelving provide organized storage that supports the kitchen’s workflow.

Arched double doors bring abundant light into the main floor and help create a warm, welcoming entry to the home.

Gabriela included a dark-stained vintage hutch in the dining room, an heirloom piece from the family that makes a perfect backdrop for meal times.

When the build and design teams learned that the clients enjoy entertaining, they knew that the home needed an open layout that encourages natural flow and connection between the primary hosting spaces: the kitchen, living room and dining room. “Across these distinct yet connected spaces we incorporated architectural ceiling beams that enhance the visual cohesiveness of each functional zone and are a nod to the charming look of the barn that is next to the house,” Gabriela explains.

Styling the Modern Farmhouse

The designer discusses some key elements to produce the desired ambience of the style. “Modern Farmhouse Style is usually associated with clean lines and certain materials like natural stone, high-grain woods and weathered details,” Gabriela explains. “Overall, the style is about comfort, practicality and subtle rural nostalgia. The Modern Farmhouse style delivered warmth through natural materials such as wood beams, white oak cabinetry and a cast stone fireplace.”

In the dining room, Gabriela included a paneled tray ceiling that contrasts with the soaring vaulted ceiling in the adjacent living room to set it apart for intimate dinners yet connect it enough for hosting guests.

Gabriela gleaned much of her styling inspiration from the picturesque surroundings and combined it with her creative eye for design. “The rural landscape and the barn itself inspired the color palette and many of the natural materials seen throughout the home. Amy’s childhood home had some farmhouse design elements in it too, so there’s a personal nostalgic connection in the interior design,” she says. “The homeowners loved the organic Modern Farmhouse aesthetic because it balances warmth, texture and a clean, understated elegance. To achieve this for them, I curated a mix of natural materials, including wood beams, wide-plank flooring, custom white oak cabinetry and brass accents in furnishings. An earthy palette of soft whites, warm beiges and layered browns brought depth and cohesion to the interiors. Details like the kitchen’s Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and matching backsplash and natural cabinet finishes make the home feel grounded and beautifully composed.”

White oak cabinetry and Taj Mahal quartzite on the island, counters and backsplash create a warm, cohesive palette in the kitchen.

The bistro-style kitchen nook overlooks the backyard and features a compact table with espresso-brown upholstered chairs for relaxed morning routines.

As with all successful room designs, the color palette played a pivotal role. “For an organic look inspired by the rural landscape, I chose a palette of earthy tones like espresso, cream and moss,” Gabriela says. “In the primary suite, we leaned into olive tones through the bedding and the end-of-bed ottomans, similar to the accents found in the living room accessories. Trevin’s office was color-drenched in a dramatic gray with subtle blue undertones for a more moody, masculine feel.”

In the primary bedroom, a natural color palette of muted greens and soft neutrals complements the textured look of the limewash walls.

A built-in desk nook makes smart use of transitional space, offering a convenient spot for everyday tasks.

The design team knew that the kitchen would be a popular gathering space for the family and needed to combine function and form. “I selected Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and a matching backsplash in a soft honed finish because of the material’s subtle movement and elegance,” Gabriela says. “The narrow spice ledge above the range in the same material is convenient for storing the family’s most-used spices.”

“An earthy palette of soft whites, warm beiges and layered browns brought depth and cohesion to the interiors.”

Gabriela also used her creativity to create stylish but compact storage areas. “I always ensure my designs include integrated storage for household essentials,” she says. “In this kitchen, the wall of quarter-sawn white oak cabinetry with aged brass pulls includes a hidden double fridge and double oven. Next to the built-ins, an arched doorway leads to the prep pantry with a glass-paned dish cabinet, which is ideal for staging, storage and showcasing the family’s dishware collection.”

The primary bathroom features varying textures to add quiet interest, pairing a concrete soaking tub with vintage rugs, herringbone floors and a fluted white oak vanity.

The primary bedroom features many of the essential elements associated with Modern Farmhouse Style. “There are many traditional features in the primary bedroom, including a vaulted ceiling and walls finished in gray lime wash for more visual texture,” Gabriela says. “The bedroom design has a relaxing sense of order through symmetry, with matching elongated windows, solid acacia nightstands and aged brass sconces on either side of the bed. I selected botanical print bedding and sage accents to connect to the surrounding farmland, visible through large windows and other accents throughout the home. The traditional wingback headboard is upholstered in cream bouclé. I also hid the TV above the double doors to preserve the refined aesthetic.”

When thinking about this Modern Farmhouse project’s outcome, Gabriela will always look back at the collaborative process as her favorite aspect. “I loved every step of working with Amy and Trevin,” she says. “It has been wonderful to hear how much they appreciate the comfort, flow and personality of their new home.”

Ways to Add Warmth

Senior designer Gabriela Laboy’s advice on how to add cozy character to a new-build Modern Farmhouse:

Prioritize the use of natural materials or natural finishes.
Don’t be afraid to go in a creative design direction. For example, in this home we color-drenched the office in a dark blue. While this technique is a bit unusual for a farmhouse-style home, the timeless color and built-in shelving make this fit seamlessly with the rest of the home’s design.
For major design elements, like a dining room cabinet or area rug, consider working with a designer to source one-of-a-kind vintage pieces.
While textures in a Modern Farmhouse may lean weathered or tactile, consider adding architectural elements like archways or streamlined elements like matte black iron railways or square cabinet profiles.