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A Newly Built House With Cool and Classic Character
Crisp white shiplap walls, custom built-ins and a casual, preppy vibe make this new Minnesota home feel timeless
When this Minnesota couple were ready to build their dream home, they decided to bring designer Martha O’Hara into the process before breaking ground. “Being able to work with the architect and builders in determining layout, materials and finishes makes a huge difference,” O’Hara says. “It’s all those little details that make a big impact on the look and feel of a home.” For the new home in a leafy suburb of Minneapolis, the design team created a modern farmhouse aesthetic with lots of white shiplap, custom built-ins and colorful pops of blue and green throughout.
The foyer leads to the great room, which includes the living area and kitchen. The living area features a wall of custom floor-to-ceiling built-ins flanking the gas fireplace. The flat-screen television to the right of the fireplace is on a pivot that can be turned 180 degrees to conceal the TV.
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In this photo, the TV can be seen turned halfway. “The built-in cabinet has to be at least half as deep as the television is wide in order for it to turn, so it’s not the type of feature you can just add easily to any home,” O’Hara says. “But since this is a new build, the space was designed with these special types of features in mind.”
In this photo, the TV is completely hidden behind a pair of faux cabinet doors. “This is the room that the homeowners entertain in, so when they have guests over they can hide the TV if they wish,” O’Hara says.
The furniture in the living area has what she describes as a “casual, preppy vibe.” A chunky white coffee table is ideal for gathering around to play board games. The throw pillows are in shades of blue and green, the accent colors found throughout the house.
The furniture in the living area has what she describes as a “casual, preppy vibe.” A chunky white coffee table is ideal for gathering around to play board games. The throw pillows are in shades of blue and green, the accent colors found throughout the house.
The kitchen, which opens to the living area, features another custom built-in TV, which the homeowners can watch while seated at the island. Four upholstered counter stools are covered in a windowpane plaid fabric that continues the preppy vibe. A pair of silver lantern-style pendant lights above the island complement the polished nickel hardware on the cabinetry.
Since the kitchen is open to the living area, the design team wanted to conceal as many of the appliances as possible. The refrigerator and dishwasher are hidden behind custom panels and a custom range hood helps to keep the appearance of stainless steel to a minimum. The countertops are marble-look engineered quartz.
The dining room includes a built-in cabinet and buffet, whose brass hardware is picked up by the oversize pendant lights. “I love to mix up metals throughout a house,” O’Hara says. “The brass adds a touch of sophistication that’s ideal for the dining room.”
The Windsor dining chairs in a bold shade of Kelly green provide a fun contrast to the more neutral oak dining table and black-and-white wallpaper.
The Windsor dining chairs in a bold shade of Kelly green provide a fun contrast to the more neutral oak dining table and black-and-white wallpaper.
Plaid Marmoleum tile covers the laundry room, adding visual interest and another preppy touch. Floral-inspired wallpaper, custom window shades and marble-look engineered quartz countertops finish off the look.
The master bedroom’s lofted ceiling is white shiplap, and a sculptural black metal chandelier was selected to pop against that backdrop and draw the eye up. Lilac walls, painted in Benjamin Moore’s White Water, provide a cool, calming vibe.
The bench at the foot of the tufted bed is upholstered in a windowpane fabric. “Working in subtle patterns throughout a house helps to keep a look cohesive,” O’Hara says.
The bench at the foot of the tufted bed is upholstered in a windowpane fabric. “Working in subtle patterns throughout a house helps to keep a look cohesive,” O’Hara says.
The same lilac walls continue into the master bathroom, which features wood-look porcelain tile floors. A freestanding bathtub positioned in front of a wall of windows and underneath a crystal chandelier creates a luxurious setting for the homeowners to unwind.
The design of the lower-level family room turned out to be a bit of a compromise between the homeowners. “He wanted a media room with stadium seating and she wanted a more traditional family room with a sofa and chairs,” O’Hara says.
The result includes an upholstered sofa, a leather chair that reclines and a trio of bar-height stools on the other side of the wet bar that can be used to watch movies on the projector screen. The protector is mounted on the reclaimed-wood ceiling.
The result includes an upholstered sofa, a leather chair that reclines and a trio of bar-height stools on the other side of the wet bar that can be used to watch movies on the projector screen. The protector is mounted on the reclaimed-wood ceiling.
A large covered porch overlooks the backyard and the treetops beyond. A gas fireplace with a floor-to-ceiling stone surround is a popular gathering spot on cool summer nights. The outdoor furniture features blue cushions; the other accent color, green, is provided by nature, O’Hara says.
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More on Houzz
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Look for an interior designer near you
Shop for outdoor furniture
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple of empty nesters
Location: Edina, Minnesota
Size: Three bedrooms, 3½ baths
Designer: Martha O’Hara Interiors
Architect: Swan Architecture
The house is on a sloping lot with beautiful treetop views out the back. The front door opens into a foyer lined with white shiplap walls and paneled windows. From here, a staircase leads down to the home’s two guest bedrooms and the family room. “The foyer features tons of beautiful custom millwork that adds so much interest and dimension,” O’Hara says. A beaded chandelier, a colorful piece of abstract art and a Windsor bench complete the stylish scene.
Paint: Super White, Benjamin Moore
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