Photography by Rob Grosse/Spacecrafting
For designer Gabe Lindberg of O’Hara Interiors, holiday decorating means the more greenery, the merrier. (And yes, some of the garland can be faux.) For her own home, built on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, she envisioned a retreat that would perfectly fit the tree-lined site and be spacious enough for family gatherings and weekend stays. Shen and her husband, Mark, moved to the property in 2013 but realized their house was cramped and would eventually need an overhaul. “When COVID hit, it was a lot for both of us to be working from home,” she recalls. “We wanted private spaces and room for guests.”
Lindberg teamed up with Thompson Construction for a teardown and new build with a modern, light-filled aesthetic flowing with moments of comfort and refinement. “We love being in an older, established neighborhood,” she says of Orono, which is a mix of contemporary waterside and midcentury homes. Inside, she infused Old World charm with leaded-glass windows and transoms, as well as traditional but not overly ornate trim profiles. “I don’t like things that are too fussy,” she says.
The 3,300-square-foot, four-bedroom, 3.5-bath abode is anchored by the first-floor kitchen and living room, designed for hosting and connecting. Lindberg’s family hails from South Dakota, while her husband’s relatives are spread from Detroit to Chicago. During the holidays, their home is the go-to spot for winter fun, from ice fishing to skating to snowshoeing. For friends visiting from warmer states, it’s a chance to experience a true northern winter. “Even in the middle of winter, we have a yard full of people with the firepits roaring,” she says.
The kitchen is highly detailed, with custom beaded cabinetry designed by Lindberg herself. “We worked with a local cabinetmaker who was willing to take my crazy ideas and make them a reality,” she says with a laugh. There’s also a custom Venetian plaster hood, panel-front appliances, unlacquered brass hardware, honed quartzite and an island painted in Benjamin Moore’s Boothbay Gray. The island features the same reeded detail, with an Italian Ilve range serving as the centerpiece.
She wanted the living and dining spaces to be open yet defined. The living room’s fireplace surround is cast stone, meant to mimic the finish on the kitchen range hood and tie the rooms together. The dining room — which Lindberg compares to a treehouse due to its proximity to a large oak — has a custom Moroccan-inspired arch made from local reclaimed barnwood and a Visual Comfort chandelier. In the winter, this is the go-to spot for playing games and doing puzzles with friends and family. The mudroom, finished in a muted green-gray, is more than just utility; it’s the first stop after skating or sledding. With lockers for boots, hats and coats, the space stays organized yet feels intentional thanks to cabinetry that tucks away clutter.
In the colder months, the couple’s primary suite is a haven, complete with a large soaking tub. Placed between his-and-hers marble waterfall-edge vanities with reeded white oak fronts, the area feels private even with its many windows that offer picturesque lake views. Other carefully selected accents include the Zia green tiled floors and custom natural brass fixtures curated by a Moroccan artisan.
In the bedroom, three windows face the lake, making it an ideal spot to watch fish houses that pop up during the winter. A Christmas tree adds extra cheer. “I love having the little sparkle with the lights when it gets dark early, and the wreath above the bed is a festive touch without feeling like it’s too much,” she says. This is also where the couple’s dogs, Isabella and Meeko, cuddle up.
As the holiday spirit intensifies with each passing day, so does the designer’s knack for seasonal decor. “My starting point is to add warmth and greenery without glitz or going over the top,” she says. Elements of nature can be found everywhere — such as fresh Norfolk pine in the primary suite shower, hung from the sconces, incorporated into tablescapes and swapped for winter florals. In the mudroom, she integrates simple, impactful pieces like dried oranges and bottlebrush trees, “which are more understated than other holiday decor and tie back into texture and nature,” Lindberg says. She also displays her collection of vintage brass pieces, like reindeer and penguins.
Since the couple moved into their new home in 2023, Lindberg’s collection of greenery has expanded significantly, yet the intentionality in her decorating style has stayed consistent. The holidays are less about lavish decor and more about creating a backdrop for connection. Whether it’s neighbors huddling around the backyard firepits or family seated around the dining table, there is no shortage of festive gathering in this house designed to emulate the comforting feeling of the holidays long after the tree comes down.
Project Partners
Interior designer: O’Hara Interiors
Builder: Thompson Construction
