{"url":"https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2026/04/16/ohara-interiors-plans-to-close-down-operations.html","title":"O'Hara Interiors to Close Studios for Family","domain":"bizjournals.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/4977448/pexels-photo-4977448.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"luxury interior design studio","category":"Business","language":"en","slug":"26efbd94","id":"26efbd94-cf89-4e26-aed6-608df5ae8cbc","description":"O'Hara Interiors Closing: Luxury design firm O'Hara Interiors plans to wind down operations and close studios later in 2026 after nearly 40 years.[[1]](htt","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **O'Hara Interiors Closing:** Luxury design firm O'Hara Interiors plans to wind down operations and close studios later in 2026 after nearly 40 years.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2026/04/16/ohara-interiors-plans-to-close-down-operations.html)[[2]](https://oharainteriors.com/)\n- **Family Health Priority:** CEO Kate O'Hara and founder Martha O'Hara are prioritizing family time due to Martha's husband's worsening Alzheimer's.[[2]](https://oharainteriors.com/)[[3]](https://www.designerstoday.com/designers/ohara-interiors-announces-closure-after-four-decades)\n- **Client Projects Continue:** Current client projects will finish as planned, with team fully engaged through Q4 transition around October.[[3]](https://www.designerstoday.com/designers/ohara-interiors-announces-closure-after-four-decades)[[2]](https://oharainteriors.com/)\n\n## The story at a glance\nO'Hara Interiors, a luxury interior design firm founded by **Martha O'Hara** in 1988, plans a gradual closure of its studios in Minneapolis, Austin, and Dallas later this year. CEO and creative director **Kate O'Hara**, Martha's daughter, announced the wind-down to focus on family amid her father's Alzheimer's decline. The Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal reported it on April 16, 2026, matching the firm's own statement.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2026/04/16/ohara-interiors-plans-to-close-down-operations.html)[[2]](https://oharainteriors.com/)\n\n## Key points\n- Founded in 1988 (or 1989 per some reports) by Martha O'Hara as a luxury full-service interior design firm.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2026/04/16/ohara-interiors-plans-to-close-down-operations.html)\n- Studios in St. Louis Park (Minneapolis area), Austin, and Dallas, Texas; about 15 employees total.[[3]](https://www.designerstoday.com/designers/ohara-interiors-announces-closure-after-four-decades)[[2]](https://oharainteriors.com/)\n- Closure due to family decision: Martha's husband (Kate's father) has advanced Alzheimer's, prompting priority on family time.[[2]](https://oharainteriors.com/)[[3]](https://www.designerstoday.com/designers/ohara-interiors-announces-closure-after-four-decades)\n- Wind-down starts now, studios close later 2026, likely October in Q4; active projects continue uninterrupted.[[3]](https://www.designerstoday.com/designers/ohara-interiors-announces-closure-after-four-decades)\n- Many designers launching independent practices; clients can follow them; considered full sale but chose selective asset transition.[[3]](https://www.designerstoday.com/designers/ohara-interiors-announces-closure-after-four-decades)\n- Kate O'Hara plans to expand consulting and relaunch Design Influencers Conference.[[3]](https://www.designerstoday.com/designers/ohara-interiors-announces-closure-after-four-decades)\n\n## Details and context\nThe firm grew from Martha O'Hara's founding into a second-generation business under Kate, expanding to Texas and nationwide clients while keeping roots in the Twin Cities.[[4]](https://oharainteriors.com/about-us) It specialized in high-end residential design, furniture, and commercial projects.\n\nKate took over as CEO and creative director around 2019, rebranding from Martha O'Hara Interiors to reflect team growth.[[5]](https://artfulliving.com/ohara-interiors-rebrand-interview-2024)\n\nThe family weighed selling the business outright but opted for a controlled wind-down to protect client ties and staff futures, with the team handling all ongoing work.[[3]](https://www.designerstoday.com/designers/ohara-interiors-announces-closure-after-four-decades)\n\n## Key quotes\n\"This was a family decision. Martha’s husband (Kate’s father) has Alzheimer’s, and his health has taken a serious turn. As a family, we are prioritizing time together.\" — O'Hara Interiors website statement.[[2]](https://oharainteriors.com/)\n\n“This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one for our family... Our focus now is on finishing our projects with care and supporting our clients through this transition.” — Kate O'Hara, CEO, to Designers Today.[[3]](https://www.designerstoday.com/designers/ohara-interiors-announces-closure-after-four-decades)\n\n## Why it matters\nA respected player in luxury design ends after decades, shifting high-end clients and talent in the Twin Cities and Texas markets. Current clients face no disruption, but future projects may go to ex-employees' new firms; Kate O'Hara's consulting could influence industry trends. Watch for team launches, project completions by October 2026, and any asset sales, though details remain selective.\n\n## What changed\nThe firm operated steadily for nearly 38 years with studios open and projects ongoing; now it shifts to gradual wind-down mode with studios set to close later 2026. The change stems from the family health crisis. Announcement came April 16, 2026.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2026/04/16/ohara-interiors-plans-to-close-down-operations.html)\n\n## FAQ\nQ: Why is O'Hara Interiors closing its studios?  \nA: The closure is a family decision to prioritize time together, as Martha O'Hara's husband (Kate's father) has worsening Alzheimer's. The firm stated this directly on its website. It allows focus on family during this health turn.  \n\nQ: What happens to current client projects at O'Hara Interiors?  \nA: All active projects continue as planned, with the full team engaged until completion. Clients face no changes now during the transition. The wind-down ensures work finishes with care.  \n\nQ: When will O'Hara Interiors fully close?  \nA: Studios in Minneapolis, Austin, and Dallas will close later this year, with wind-down targeted for Q4 around October. The process starts gradually now. No exact date beyond that is given.  \n\nQ: What are the firm's locations and size?  \nA: Offices are in St. Louis Park (Minneapolis area), Austin, and Dallas, Texas. It has about 15 employees total. Many designers plan independent practices post-closure.","hashtags":["#interior","#design","#luxury","#business","#closure","#minnesota"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2026/04/16/ohara-interiors-plans-to-close-down-operations.html","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://oharainteriors.com/","title":""},{"url":"https://www.designerstoday.com/designers/ohara-interiors-announces-closure-after-four-decades","title":""},{"url":"https://oharainteriors.com/about-us","title":""},{"url":"https://artfulliving.com/ohara-interiors-rebrand-interview-2024","title":""}],"viewCount":3,"publishedAt":"2026-04-21T12:50:25.445Z","createdAt":"2026-04-21T12:50:25.445Z","articlePublishedAt":"2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z"}