Joanna Gaines' Mini Reni series has me gripped. Taking mundane, unloved spaces and filling them with life, Joanna never fails to amaze me with her ability to transform a room, no matter how small, giving it her signature dose of rustic charm.
The latest episode (number 6 in the series) aired last week, and as usual, Joanna channeled her modern rustic style and entirely reimaged two neglected, lackluster rooms. She took a sunroom and the tired adjoining bathroom and transformed them into two serene spaces that feel connected and perfectly balanced, not to mention they nail so many key design trends despite not having a lot of square footage.
Taking to Instagram, Joanna walked through the design process whilst pinpointing her favorite items that helped to make both rooms feel charming and inviting. She said, 'I want to show you some of the stuff that I grabbed at the market that really just helps bring this space to life.' Despite decorating with vintage, many of the pieces are from Joanna's own store, Magnolia, so you can recreate the laid-back cottage look at home.
Before
Spotlighting her favorite pieces, Joanna starts in the sunroom and talks us through the power of vintage-style touches. Starting with the trim color that frames the space, from the door frames to the perimeter of the floor. A classic window trim color idea, the shade is a deep oxblood red that Joanna created herself. She says, 'This trim color is a color that we matched to the tile in the bathroom. I love it and it ties in with these branches.'
She then moves on to the sofa area. The vintage stand creates a sense of height and drama paired with the wild plant, she says, 'This whole moment right here. You've got this lamp stand that has a vintage design to it.' Joanna has scattered other wooden vintage-style accents, which each bring warmth and a sense of hominess. She explains, 'This wooden sconce is beautiful, I actually have these in my butler's pantry as well.' The jute rug and rattan blinds create even more warmth and texture and add to the pared-back, comforting feel of the space.
Joanna explains the power of a statement piece to connect the overall design. In this case, it's the vintage-inspired floral tapestry that is at the center of the space. 'Last but not least, the tapestry. I feel like all the design started with this, and now as you step around and look at the space, everything ties back to what you see here.'
After
Moving into the next room, Joanna explains that the small bathroom needed some elevating. 'This bathroom is a small space. All we had to do was just maximize this vanity and make sure it felt more like a primary bathroom.'
Rustic touches uplifted this space, making it feel cohesive with the sunroom, such as the oxblood red tiles and the new vanity unit. Framing the sink area, the tile color matches the trim in the sunroom. The rectangular tiles create a sense of opulence and richness that's balanced by the white marble countertop.
Similarly to the sunroom, charming vintage accents are scattered throughout the bathroom. Joanna says, 'Here's an old vintage letter that was found at the antique store. You can see we mixed a lot of old and new.' More contemporary pieces, like the gold hardware and delicate glass jars, balance the heavier wood accents. 'There are some new pieces in here that are from Magnolia. I love this ribbed glass, this green tint, ties back to this little soap dish.'
The charming sage green checkerboard floor connects the two spaces and provides a contrast against the rich red trim and tiles, bringing a sense of heritage and whimsy that feels so fitting in both rooms.
Shop the look
This rattan lamp sits beside the seating area in the sunroom. Joanna says, 'I'm all about this beautiful wicker shade. It feels so nostalgic and timeless.'
Joanna has the same wood sconces in her pantry at home. Whether placed in a hallway or living room, they're simple and rustic yet will give any space warmth, charm, and patina.
Joanna uses this exact sage green pillow in the sunroom as it matches the flooring. 'These pretty pillows. We chose these pillows because they match the tiles perfectly.'
At the heart of the sunroom is a large-scale vintage-inspired floral tapestry. The exact style is sold out, but this floral trio is equally as delicate and impactful and will transform an empty wall into a statement.
Joanna places two of these delicate glass canisters in the bathroom. They match the green flooring and balance the rich red tiles, while also being highly practical and perfect for storing cotton pads or buds.
Joanna places this rustic, carved table beside the sofa in the sunroom. It's a uniquely charming piece, so it makes sense that she says, 'I have this end table in my little office.'
Joanna's transformation of the sunroom and bathroom is undoubtedly impressive. It showcases the power of layering – from vintage accents, to warm textures, and a strong dose of color, they all work together to revitalize, uplift, and comfort as soon as you enter.
