Home Profiles
Mixing Styles Creates a Sophisticated and Modern Home
A combination of styles and unique treasures transform a modern farmhouse into a sophisticated family home. Jamie Stauffer of Here, Let Me Design walks us through her process and how she approaches design.
By Krysten Muench
Nov 2020
Photo by Brandon AlmsA mix of modern, midcentury and antique pieces throughout the living room, family room and kitchen tie the overall design
aesthetic together. Stauffer also relies on a neutral color palette and organic pieces to bring harmony and cohesion to the spaces.
Purchase Photo
Jamie Stauffer of Here, Let Me Design (417-293-3938) describes her style as casual modern, which is quite different from the modern farmhouse exterior of her home. When she and her husband purchased their home earlier this year, the interior came equipped with modern touches, which Stauffer has used to her advantage while creating an organic, streamlined and eclectic design over the typical farmhouse aesthetic. “I have heirloom antiques that I like to use, and then I have my husband’s favorite midcentury modern chairs,” Stauffer says. “I like to find a good balance that speaks to the style of the home itself.”
While it may take more time and effort, Stauffer stresses that your home will carry an elevated feeling of sophistication if you look for pieces that speak to you and are one-of-a-kind rather than purchasing everything from one store. “I don’t like to put all of my eggs in one basket,” Stauffer says. “For a person who is looking for a certain style, modern farmhouse for example, maybe find a few small pieces at the [stores] where it’s easy, but then really dig in and try to find things that you know no one else has.”
Photos by Brandon AlmsStauffer mixes midcentury pieces, like the tulip table and barstools, with older antique finds in the kitchen. Old potato mashers, a coffee grinder, wooden serving boards and a painting of a man with a handlebar mustache all act as great conversation starters when friends and family are over.
Photos by Brandon AlmsStauffer makes use of pieces old and new to create a unique, eclectic and truly personal feel in her modernly classic home.
Photos by Brandon AlmsA 1940s library table from the University of Minnesota serves as the family dining room table. Stauffer paired a mix of modern chairs with the piece that work well with the shorter-than-average height and an apron that runs along the underside of the tabletop. Features such as drawers and a footrest make the piece particularly unique.
Photos by Brandon AlmsThe family room is one of Stauffer’s favorite rooms in the home and where she and her family spend a lot of time together. The painting is a commissioned piece titled “Grand Canyon” by George Brinner. Stauffer says one way to elevate a space is to save up and purchase at least one really nice item, whether it be an antique piece of furniture, a handmade rug, artwork or even just a nice focal point for a coffee table.
Photos by Brandon AlmsThe abundance of large windows throughout the home is one of Stauffer’s favorite features. “I love that I can look out and see my kids when they’re outside, and they’re outside all of the time,” she says. “I can watch them on the trampoline. I can watch them riding bikes down the road.”
Photos by Brandon AlmsThe green, velvet drapes served as the jumping off point for the design in the main bedroom. Stauffer knew she wanted to find an older piece of artwork to hang over the bed that would tie in the green, but also bring some additional warmth to the room with golds. She’s also brought in additional warmth through an antique writer’s desk that she uses as a bedside table and an abundance of kilim pillows for heavy texture.
Photos by Brandon AlmsFor the main bathroom, Stauffer chose to include a perfectly fitting antique rug and painting for pops of color, and the resulting design feels effortlessly upscale and elegant.
Photos by Brandon AlmsThe Stauffer home certainly has a modern farmhouse feel from the outside, but Jamie Stauffer has transformed the interior into the eclectic, casual modern space of her dreams, while nodding to the official style of the house itself.
Photos by Brandon AlmsDon’t be afraid to incorporate fresh greenery into your home, both inside and out. Stauffer says you can keep your spaces feeling fresh and seasonal when you tie in natural elements from around your property, like she did with these planters and wreath.
