Explore 1930 Country Estate in Ossian, Iowa With 3-Acre Spring-Fed Pond, Island Gazebo, and Award-Winning Rural Charm
Nestled on 12 pristine acres near Ossian, Iowa, “The Prettiest Farm in Iowa” seamlessly blends rural elegance and contemporary comfort. This historically significant property, featured in Our Iowa magazine, boasts over 4,600 sq. ft. of finished living space in a home skillfully updated and maintained for more than 30 years. Its architectural style marries traditional farmhouse charm with modern upgrades such as granite countertops and geothermal heating. Built over a century ago and meticulously renovated, the 4-bedroom, 5-bath residence offers a private primary suite, open entertaining spaces, and breathtaking country views. Listed at $1,800,000, the estate features a 3-acre pond, outbuildings for hobbies or business ventures, a sizable solar array, and carefully manicured grounds, epitomizing both sustainability and luxury country living.
Pond and Gazebo
Peaceful outdoor landscape centering on a bright blue pond with a large, arched white bridge leading to an octagonal gazebo. A dramatically spraying fountain creates ripples on the water, adding an elegant focal point. Surrounding the pond is a manicured green lawn with neatly planted trees and stone borders. The white home in the background features a gabled roof, neutral siding, and stone accents at the foundation, emphasizing its classic American charm. Large windows and a covered porch complete the welcoming aesthetic, while clear blue skies above enhance the tranquil, picturesque atmosphere of this rural property.
Front Exterior
A traditional two-story American farmhouse features white siding and a large wraparound porch with several seating areas. The home is accented by classic dormer windows and a gabled roof, adding to its historic charm. Attached is a spacious three-car garage with matching white doors. The well-manicured front lawn is lush and green with tidy landscaping, including flower beds and a large, mature tree set into a circular garden at the forefront. The driveway curves toward the garage, bordered by grass. The sky is bright blue with scattered white clouds, creating a welcoming and serene rural atmosphere.
Kitchen Island Area
The kitchen features warm wood cabinetry with classic panel details, paired with sleek black stone countertops. The center island doubles as a breakfast bar with four stylish barstools featuring metallic frames and padded black seats. Pendant lights with square glass shades hang above the island, providing focused illumination. Large windows allow ample natural light, and the walls are painted a soft sage green that complements the natural wood tones. Modern appliances, including a white refrigerator and stove, are integrated into the cabinetry. Decorative touches include a vase of flowers, magnets on the fridge, and personal items on open shelves, adding a lived-in, welcoming feel.
Kitchen and Dining
Warm wooden cabinetry and matching trim dominate the kitchen, paired with a white oven and microwave for a classic, inviting look. The countertops are dark granite, complemented by neutral tiled flooring. Pendant lights hang over the peninsula, providing focused lighting and a modern touch. To the right, a wood-railed staircase ascends, adding architectural interest. The space opens up into a dining area furnished with a wooden table and chairs, sitting below a contemporary light fixture. Subtle green and white walls keep the palette light, while glass doors and windows provide natural illumination and views into adjacent living spaces.
Home Office Workspace
A dedicated home office features an L-shaped wooden desk with a marble-patterned surface, paired with two black cushioned leather swivel chairs. The workspace is arranged along a sunlit wall, with a wide window framed in honey-colored wood offering clear outdoor views of green treetops. The upper walls display framed photos, a taxidermy fish, and a contemporary clock. Light wooden cabinetry and open shelving provide efficient storage above and beside the desk. The color palette blends warm wood tones with neutral walls and flooring, while scattered papers, office supplies, and personal keepsakes lend a lived-in, productive atmosphere.
Kitchen and Dining
A spacious open-plan kitchen and dining area features warm, natural tones with extensive use of wood. The large wooden dining table, surrounded by matching chairs, is placed on a patterned rug with earthy colors. Near the table, a wooden staircase with matching banisters leads upstairs, contributing to the cozy, inviting atmosphere. The kitchen includes a long breakfast bar with several metal and wood barstools, pendant lights hanging above, and solid wooden cabinetry. Large glass doors, windows, and a decorative glass entry door allow ample natural light in, accentuating the clean lines and welcoming ambiance of the space.
Entryway Details
A spacious entryway with a welcoming atmosphere featuring neutral tile flooring arranged in a geometric pattern. The walls are painted a soft cream, complemented by warm honey-toned wood trim and matching wood doors. To the right, a blue door with a window lets in natural light. A wooden bench sits against the wall, next to a small triangular wooden accent table. Framed aerial photographs decorate the walls above, adding a personal touch. A coat rack stands to the left, hung with jackets and hats, while a woven rug adds texture by the hallway. Recessed lighting gives the area a bright, inviting feel.
Garage Interior
A spacious, well-lit garage featuring a high ceiling and polished speckled concrete floors. Three vehicles—a black sedan, a classic green coupe, and a large blue pickup truck—are parked inside, highlighting the ample parking space. The walls are painted white, enhancing brightness, and fitted with wood trim along the ceiling edge for a touch of warmth. Overhead garage doors are at the far end, and storage shelves line the upper walls, displaying vintage toy vehicles. The space feels organized, clean, and functional, with fluorescent lighting and windows offering both artificial and natural light sources. Wall-mounted memorabilia contribute to a nostalgic, personal touch.
Bathroom Details
This bathroom features a clean and functional design with accessibility in mind. The space centers around a pedestal sink and a standard toilet, both in classic white. Above the sink is a wooden-framed mirror paired with a simple wall sconce for illumination. The walls are painted a soft neutral tone, with a unique octagonal window framed in wood allowing natural light to filter in. Wooden cabinetry matches the window frame, providing storage above the toilet. Safety grab bars are installed beside the toilet, and the base of the walls has a decorative trim with triangular dark stone accents, complementing the speckled floor below.
Living Room Seating
An inviting living room with warm-toned hardwood floors and taupe walls accented with wooden trim. Two large windows provide ample natural light and views of a green yard and pond outside. The space features coordinated brown leather sofas and recliners, arranged around a wooden coffee table atop a soft area rug. There are decorative wall hangings above the couch and family photographs displayed on side tables near the windows. A stone-topped ledge and a white fireplace mantel are visible on the left side. The room has a tray ceiling with recessed lighting, a ceiling fan, and subtle gold crown molding details.
Bedroom Suite
A spacious bedroom features warm wooden accents, including a large bed with a carved headboard, a matching dresser, and nightstands. Soft beige carpeting covers the floor, adding coziness to the space. Large windows along one wall bring in abundant natural light and offer a picturesque view of green fields. The room has neutral-toned walls and elegant tray ceiling details with recessed lighting and crown molding. A ceiling fan with dark blades hangs centrally. There is a plush armchair, an exercise bike in the corner, and framed art above the dresser, showcasing a blend of comfort and subtle luxury.
Primary Bathroom
A spacious bathroom with a neutral color palette, featuring a large soaking tub surrounded by beige tiles and several potted green plants arranged along the rim and window sill. The window above the tub has intricate frosted glass details framed in natural wood, letting in soft light. To the right is a walk-in shower with gray stone tiles, a bench, and built-in shelving. The wooden cabinetry, finished in honey oak, provides warm contrast to the cooler tile tones. A decorative metal wall art piece shaped like flowers is mounted above the tub, creating an inviting, serene setting.
Laundry Room Details
A spacious laundry room with warm wood cabinetry overhead and below, creating a welcoming and organized atmosphere. The appliances—a white washer and dryer—line one wall next to a stainless steel utility sink. A long faux-marble countertop runs along the opposite wall, offering ample folding space with three white laundry hampers underneath. A window framed with natural wood lets in sunlight, brightening the soft blue walls. Decorative accents include a modern starburst wall sculpture and framed artwork, adding contemporary flair. The floor is covered with tan ceramic tiles, complementing the cabinetry and providing easy maintenance in this household utility space.
Home Office Workspace
A simple and functional home office featuring neutral beige carpet and off-white walls, giving the room a calm and clean atmosphere. A wooden desk with a dark office chair and a classic rolling wooden chair face a double window, allowing in natural light. An empty wooden bookshelf occupies the right wall, with a few items and storage containers on the lower shelves. A closed wooden closet door is seen to the left, while light wood trim accents the doors and window. Minimal wall art adds subtle visual interest, and the ceiling light provides soft ambient illumination.
Bedroom Corner
A bright and inviting bedroom featuring a large bed with a wooden headboard and modern blue patterned bedding takes center stage. The room includes light beige carpet and walls, with natural wood trim around two large windows that bring in ample sunlight. On one side, a wooden dresser holds a colorful decorative item resembling a hot air balloon. Matching wooden nightstands flank the bed, one supporting a ceramic lamp with a soft white shade. Artwork and a scrollwork metal accent hang above the bed, while a curio cabinet with glass doors in the corner displays keepsakes, creating a cozy yet orderly feel.
Bedroom Layout
A cozy bedroom features a queen-sized bed with a geometric-patterned quilt in purples, creams, and blacks, flanked by simple beige walls. The headboard is wooden, matching a prominent chest at the foot of the bed and a large bookcase filled with books, decor, and personal items. Two windows allow in soft natural light, each adorned with dark blue valances. A glass display cabinet stands beside the windows, holding neatly organized collectibles. A wooden rocking chair with a draped white cloth sits nearby. Accessories such as framed prints, small wall art pieces, and a leafy garland add character to the tranquil, well-organized space.
Game Room Area
A spacious game and recreation room features a central open layout with large windows framed in natural wood, letting in ample sunlight and showcasing outdoor views. The flooring transitions from a tiled area with a wooden island and two bar chairs, to a carpeted space with a wooden dining table and eight matching chairs. Wall art and display shelves add personality to the neutral walls. There’s an old-fashioned sewing table tucked to one side and a foosball table at the center. In the background, a treadmill faces a mounted television and a comfortable recliner, creating a relaxed, multifunctional setting.
Game Room Details
A spacious, sunlit game room features a pool table with a brown cover as the central focus. The room has light beige carpeting and off-white walls with natural wood trim. Double glass doors on the left open to a patio and offer views of a grassy yard and mature trees. Wall art and signs add playful character, while exercise equipment is neatly set up near the windows. Recessed lighting and pendant lights above the pool table brighten the room. A mix of wood doors and cabinetry accents the warm, relaxed ambiance, creating a comfortable space for recreation and leisure.
Sunroom Gathering Space
Warm-toned knotty pine walls and ceiling create a cozy, cabin-like atmosphere in this octagonal sunroom. Large picture windows surround the space, offering expansive views of the outdoors and filling the room with natural light. Six padded metal chairs with scrollwork arms, each upholstered in a soft fabric with a pale blue botanical print, are arranged around a round glass-topped table with a light gray frame. Neutral carpeting softens the floor, and simple modern track lighting is installed overhead. Subtle rustic décor, including a carved wooden fish and a hanging ornament, add to the relaxed, nature-inspired aesthetic.
Covered Patio Area
A spacious covered patio overlooks a serene pond, offering ample shade with its peaked roof supported by sturdy white columns. The ceiling features exposed wooden beams and is lined with hanging string lights, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Two sturdy wooden picnic tables sit on a smooth concrete slab, ideal for gatherings or outdoor meals. The patio is bordered by lush green grass and mature trees, providing a sense of seclusion and natural beauty. Open fields stretch beyond the pond, enhancing the peaceful, rural setting and making this outdoor space perfect for relaxing or entertaining.
Studio Cabin Interior
An open-plan wooden cabin interior featuring warm honey-toned wood paneling on the walls and ceiling, with exposed timber beams and a ceiling fan adding rustic charm. On one side, a round wooden dining table is surrounded by four matching chairs placed beside a window with blue curtains, letting in natural light. Adjacent, a double bed with a checked blue and gray comforter lies close to the opposite wall, near a compact air conditioner. Toward the back, a small kitchenette with a microwave, cupboards, and a view into a modest bathroom, is visible, all seamlessly blending for a cozy, efficient living space.
Garage Exterior
A large, detached multi-bay garage features four oversized white roll-up doors, with the first door including horizontal windows for visibility. The exterior is clad in clean white siding, paired with a light blue metal roof that adds a crisp, modern touch. Concrete paving stretches across the front, providing ample space for vehicle access and parking. Simple outdoor lights are mounted between the bays for illumination. The overall look is utilitarian but neat, with a minimalistic neutral palette and practical design elements. Lush green trees peek out in the background under a bright, partly cloudy sky.
Garage Workspace
A spacious garage with concrete floors, high ceilings with exposed steel beams, and bright fluorescent overhead lighting creates a functional, industrial vibe. Various tools and materials are organized on open shelves along the back and left walls, with stacks of wood, hardware, and equipment visible. A tan SUV and a small utility trailer are parked inside, while a small boat and hay bales sit in the open area. On the right, ladders, bundled reeds, and additional storage bins line the wall. The overall palette is mostly neutral with beige walls and metallic accents, emphasizing practicality and utility over decorative elements.
Front Exterior
A two-story home features a symmetrical white façade with horizontal siding, complemented by a wide concrete driveway and lush, neatly trimmed lawn. The lower half of the house showcases stone cladding up to the window sills, adding subtle texture. A modest covered porch supported by white columns shelters the main entrance, which is flanked by black-framed glass doors and windows. A large garage door with a row of windows is attached to the right side. A mature tree stands in the center of the front yard, its branches casting patterned shadows across the grass and walkway. Simple landscaping surrounds the entryway, with green shrubs and rocks for accent.
Garage Exterior
A large, modern garage structure sits under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The building features clean white siding and a metal roof, contributing to a streamlined, utilitarian aesthetic. Two oversized garage doors dominate the facade—one solid white and the other with glass panes allowing natural light inside. A light blue personnel door is centered between the two main doors, adding functional access. The exterior is flanked by a paved, circular driveway, with a small grass lawn visible on the right, creating a tidy and organized appearance. The entire scene feels open and well-maintained, suggesting a practical outbuilding for storage or vehicle use.
Workshop Interior
A spacious woodworking shop features pale blue floor tiles, warm natural wood-paneled walls, and abundant built-in cabinetry with matching wood doors. Overhead, a grid of bright fluorescent fixtures ensures ample illumination. The center of the room is dominated by large woodworking tools such as a table saw, planer, and jointer alongside workbenches cluttered with hand tools and projects in progress. Several high metal stools line one bench, providing seating. Pegboards and racks along the right wall hold neatly organized tools, while a sliding glass door fills the far side with natural light, making the workspace feel open and inviting.
Bathroom Details
A rustic bathroom combines natural wood panels with contemporary fixtures. Soft honey-colored wood covers the walls and cabinetry, creating a cozy cabin feel. The vanity features a stainless steel sink set into a simple wooden counter, with a mirrored cabinet above and a fluorescent light fixture for illumination. Cleaners and soap bottles sit atop the counter, giving a functional, lived-in look. A large, black paper towel dispenser is mounted above the counter. An octagonal window lets in natural light near the white toilet. To the right is a glass-enclosed shower stall. A mounted fish accent adds a touch of local character.
Workshop Garage
A spacious workshop garage with high ceilings and polished concrete floors, designed for both vehicle maintenance and general work projects. The walls are lined with bright white metal panels, complemented by industrial-style fluorescent lighting and an overhead yellow gantry crane. On the left, a detailed workbench area is equipped with tools, drawers, and shelves, while the right side features ladders, large bins, and utility carts. A utility vehicle and forklift are parked inside, with bags of supplies on a pallet nearby. The raised mezzanine level houses additional storage, lumber, and equipment, reflecting a functional, organized, and utilitarian aesthetic.
Property Overview
A sprawling rural property featuring a large white farmhouse with a gray roof, situated next to a private pond with a charming gazebo accessed by a white wooden walkway. Manicured green lawns surround the main house, accented with garden beds and mature trees. Outbuildings, including a sizable blue-roofed barn and a three-car garage, are visible behind the house, connected via paved driveways. The property is bordered by a line of pine trees, and beyond lies expansive open farmland stretching to the horizon, creating a sense of tranquility and seclusion. Bright blue skies and scattered clouds complete the serene atmosphere.
Listing Agent: Benjamin T Harman of Harman Realty via Zillow
