In an exclusive interview with Artful Living, CEO and Creative Director Kate O’Hara of O’Hara Interiors details the acclaimed Twin Cities interior design firm’s exciting rebrand that’s been years in the making. O’Hara, who took over as CEO and creative director of her mother Martha’s eponymous company in 2019, now helms the company’s strategic and creative vision as their work is increasingly sought after by clients nationwide. Here, O’Hara shares insights on the recent rebrand, the importance of building strong client relationships and how the team is planning for a bright future.
Photography provided by O’Hara Interiors
When did you start working with O’Hara Interiors?
I stepped into the company’s marketing role over fifteen years ago. At the time, we needed to accomplish basic things like creating a website and developing a social media presence. As it turns out, those early days were integral to establishing our reputation and the caliber of projects that we would grow into.
How has the O’Hara Interiors client changed over the years?
Fifteen years ago, we were just beginning to work on custom home builds across the Twin Cities. Our typical client was local, possibly a professional athlete or business leader, and our projects were a wide range of single rooms to entire homes. Today, our typical client is seeking out our new build or whole home remodel services, as well as furnishings. Our local clients take us outside of the Twin Cities area to design their second and third homes, or their cabins located in Northern Minnesota.
How does the rebrand reflect the company’s evolution?
We’re a second-generation business now, and we’re working with clients who have probably never met Martha. She is the founder and a guiding influence on the business, but we’ve grown beyond our roots. I want our brand to reflect that we’re a larger company with an incredible team doing exceptional design from coast to coast.
What are some of the firm’s biggest milestones?
There have been a lot along the way. Having our work published on a magazine cover was a big moment for us — this was with former Minnesota Vikings player Steve Hutchinson and his wife Landyn. Opening our second location in Austin, Texas, was also an exciting experience. Every time we work in a new state or country, it feels like a milestone. It’s amazing to think that we started as a boutique firm and are now working in well over half of the United States.
How do you infuse Twin Cities pragmatism into projects around the country?
Our clients really do live in their homes! It sounds obvious, but we focus a lot on our clients’ lifestyles, which can change from one residence to the next. For instance, a retired couple might have one home where they host family holidays, one where they spend their winters on the beach, and another where they can spend time doing a favorite sport or hobby. From a design standpoint, each place serves a different function.
Many of our Austin clients have embraced the idea of a mudroom, which is not a common feature found in Texas homes. They may not deal with the snow or mud as frequently as we do in Minnesota, but a mudroom-inspired space has proven to be a functional drop zone and storing center for outdoor gear, sporting equipment and the like.
It’s been so rewarding to work with clients whose primary homes are outside of Minnesota and delighting them with design solutions that make their lives easier and more fun. In Washington, we matched a client’s hardwood floors to their golden retriever’s coat. Another client in New York was thrilled she could have glamorous light fixtures and wallpaper, even with toddlers and a need for practical furniture. In a recent project for some Minnesota foodies, we designed a layout that placed a wine cellar on the main floor, next to the formal dining room. Why not!
How would you describe O’Hara Interiors’ style?
We are known for our classic interpretation of almost any design style. Our work is sophisticated yet practical, and we like to focus on amplifying natural light and open space.
I believe that our designs are actually more defined by the relationships we have with clients rather than by any specific style. Our designers often work with clients on multiple homes over decades, so you can imagine the mutual understanding and trusting relationships that build over time. They do an incredible job of articulating the homeowners’ taste and lifestyle in the details of these homes, and that trusting relationship is at the foundation of their ability to do so.
What are you most looking forward to in this next chapter?
Continuing to work with our established clients and fostering relationships with new clients! We’ve been so lucky to work with amazing people, and we have some exciting projects on the horizon. I’m looking forward to seeing what new opportunities are around the corner. We’re focused on connecting with clients and partners who share our values; specifically, those who are interested in building lasting relationships, which has become one of our company’s defining traits. We want to lean into what makes our work special and successful.
