Joanna Gaines is a force to be reckoned with in the world of interior design. She led the highly successful In need of renovation Franchise with her husband Chip, founded Magnolia Networklaunched two furniture and decor collections, wrote several books, and much more. Although her success can be measured in many ways, one look at the design portfolio she has built up over the years is enough to recognize her skill as an interior designer.
We’ve written about many of Joanna’s finished spaces, and each one impresses more than the last. To celebrate the modern farmhouse-inspired renovations from the Gaines archive, we’ve taken a look at the designer’s most iconic properties. Here’s what you need to know about each space and a little inspiration to take home—no matter your own decorating style.
A look into 7 of Joanna Gaines’ most famous rooms
From a 1920s hotel to a ’70s-style lake house, Joanna and her team have truly done it all. Here’s a look at seven of the designer’s most iconic spaces, including her own home and the In need of renovation sizes.
Joanna’s House
(Photo credit: Joanna Gaines)
It’s no surprise that Joanna’s own home is a stunning example of her signature modern country style. From the outset, a classic black and white porch welcomes guests, while greenery and a wood-panelled plinth soften the entryway.
Each room in the Texas home is a work of art in its own right, but the “California Casual” style living room exudes elegant, relaxed charm. With room for the whole family, every corner of the living room has been transformed into a fresh, functional space.
Even the most utilitarian spaces in the Texas property are beautiful and thoughtful. The laundry room, for example, is an oasis filled with plants, lots of natural light and a well-used table. Joanna regularly escapes to this relatively plain room (pictured above) to think and write. And in the bathroom, a whimsical pattern on the powder room wallpaper (painterly sketched clouds) shows the eclectic side of Joanna’s style, and
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook either. It’s a gathering place in the house, where Joanna whips up countless family meals and creative recipes. With eye-catching kitchen cabinets and an antique focal point – a repurposed communion table that now adds an earthy touch to the room – the room itself is a masterpiece of modern farmhouse style.
Joanna’s Garden
Joanna’s design talent isn’t limited to the inside of the home, as her sprawling Texas garden proves. Garden gazing is a favorite post-travel ritual for the designer, and many of the freshly cut flowers from the harvest end up in her elegant Waco home. She’s also been known to indulge in flower pressing from time to time, all with the help of her lush garden right outside.
The design and landscaping of the impressive garden is not to be missed. It contains plenty of large, symmetrical planting beds, light grey pebble-covered walkways and hanging plants that bring the landscape to life. The summer blooms are something to marvel at and if maintenance is required, a beautifully organised garden shed awaits nearby.
But the variety of indoor and outdoor spaces doesn’t stop there. An elegant greenhouse provides a warm, inviting retreat and is full of lush, lush plants to enjoy. And an expansive garden shed – complete with a large wooden table, feature shelving and plenty of natural light – is one of Joanna’s favorite spots in the entire house.
The house by the lake
(Image credit: Courtesy of Magnolia Network)
The youngest In need of renovation project was an idyllic lake house with breathtaking views of Lake Waco. Before the final unveiling of the space, Joanna H&G that the project and an associated color collection with KILZ were inspired by the beauty of nature.
In many ways, the finished home deviates from Joanna’s typical modern farmhouse style, leaning instead toward a beautiful, timeless aesthetic that blends the ’70s with the Spanish Renaissance. The retro lake house is full of character and charm, and each room reflects this season’s hottest design trends (while still feeling classic and timeless). A whole-home color palette in ’70s-inspired hues takes the best elements of the era’s design style but leaves the over-the-top, now-dated holdovers behind.
The mid-century modern lake house’s living room is full of retro inspiration, featuring classic furnishings, natural wood finishes, and quirky lighting fixtures. A striking fireplace brings Spanish Revival style to the home, and lake and forest views enhance the entire space.
Old-world style dominates in the kitchen, with bold veined marble and intricate fluted details taking center stage. A glass door leading to an outdoor pool makes the space even more appealing. And just off the entrance, a stylish library provides the perfect space for reading, relaxing or gathering with the whole family. The entire home, now sold to a happy Texas family, is a tranquil retreat full of design inspiration.
The castle
The grand finale of Fixer Upper: The Castle aired in 2022, and we’re still not over the grand, elegant Tudor-style castle the Gaines unveiled. On the show, Chip called the castle “the renovation of all renovations,” and with nearly 4,500 square feet of space to renovate, he wasn’t exaggerating. Every room of the stately property is beautiful and worthy of its historic home, which was auctioned off to one lucky buyer last year.
From the moment visitors step into the castle’s entrance, they are greeted with style by distinctive wall paneling and a nature-inspired color palette. Architectural details ensure the home retains its historic charm while embracing modern design trends. Even the bathroom feels historic and important, with elaborate windows, a freestanding bathtub, vintage-inspired cabinetry, and Art Deco-style accessories.
Joanna has described the kitchen as one of the “dreamiest rooms” in the whole house, and its organic color scheme exudes calm and serenity. Moody dark cabinets in the pantry next door make the room feel like a world of its own, and wooden windows and a clean marble countertop reflect the unrivaled beauty of nature. It feels contemporary and fresh, but is also a lesson in classic modern country style.
The Hotel
(Image credit: Courtesy of Magnolia Network)
Last year, Chip and Joanna embarked on their largest project to date, the renovation of a 4,600 square meter hotel with Fixer Upper: The HotelBuilt in 1928, the building was a Waco landmark in need of a dignified renovation, and the Gaines were up to the task. But with 33 rooms, a restaurant, a ballroom and a rooftop terrace, the 1928 hotel was no easy feat.
The end result, a considered blend of Joanna’s signature look and Art Deco-inspired flair, is atmospheric and full of character, fitting for a beloved historic property. With plenty of inspiration from bookshelves and a clear influence from mid-century modern, the result is timeless and elegant. Every detail is well considered, from the intricate ceiling panelling in the restaurant to the carved gold mirrors that form the backdrop of the bar.
The grain mill
Since much of Joanna’s life takes place in front of the camera, she also has a home on set in a 19th-century flour mill. The flour mill, as she calls it, features an entirely neutral living room with rustic beams and black-framed windows dividing the open space. A classic white sofa and armchair provide the perfect place to relax between takes, and a lush rug in the same shade adds an earthy touch to the room.
The kitchen where Joanna films her cooking show, Magnolia Tableis a stunning modern rustic space. Complete with unpainted kitchen cabinets, natural stone niches, a white plaster range hood and a vintage kitchen island, the space is a chef’s dream come true.
“I was told early on that most cooking shows are filmed in studios where variables like lighting and sound can be controlled, which all makes sense,” Joanna wrote in a blog post introducing the space. “But I struggled with the idea. I had envisioned something different – a space that felt authentic, that exuded the same warmth and familiarity as my own kitchen at home.”
The “Mini Reni”
The Gaines are not only taking over expansive spaces – the couple’s series of small renovations without demolition, as in Magnolia NetworkTV special Mini ReniThe show follows Chip and Joanna as they renovate three rooms in one week, all on a budget. The end result is just as stunning as the rest of the Gaines’ portfolio.
The living room is decorated in a 1930s style, with a light green hue on the plaster walls, green tiles on the fireplace and classic, timeless furniture. It is a lush retreat with natural light and plenty of greenery.
The Mini Reni The dining room has a similar color palette, with signature green wallpaper, a light blue built-in china cabinet, and nature-inspired dining furniture that’s sure to outlast trends. The most recent renovation was a controversial bedroom makeover that transformed a large white box into a sleek, wallpaper-clad den that feels cozy and comfortable.
We’re sure Joanna Gaines has more stunning transformations to come. Her signature modern farmhouse look may have taken a few twists over time, but the design style only gets better with age.
