Joanna Gaines' Mini Reni series is, as it sounds, all about smaller renovations. Taking just one or two rooms and transforming them from bland, underused spaces and transforming them into something beautiful.
This week's episode was close to home for Joanna as she transformed one of her own spaces, the Seed & Supply Store, located within the Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas. Joanna described the space as 'raw yet refined', transforming the industrial, studio-like warehouse into an elegant and inspiring herbarium. She retains some of its rough and ready qualities and balances them with finer, natural details – which is the perfect example of the modern rustic style she's known for.
The building is practically unrecognizable by the end of the episode, once an unused empty space, this industrial building is turned into an inspiring workshop space for Joanna to host events.
Before
The space lacked character and personality before Joanna took on the redesign project. With lifeless white walls and a neglected island, it was a blank canvas crying out for some vibrancy. She said, 'One of the challenges I love is taking a space from what it was to what it could be, and that transformation being quite dramatic.' Despite giving it a major makeover and elevating the architecture, Joanna still allowed the beautiful brick floor and large windows to shine.
She described the space as 'raw yet refined', going on to say, 'I know those are two opposite things, but because of the budget, I can't replace everything. So, how can I refine it just a bit? Whether that be with some trim work or adding some color in, what are the things that will refine it but allow it to feel raw? It's that balance of both that you'll see in this space, and I think they really work well together.'
After
It's hard to believe that it's the same space when you look at the after photos. Filled with organic textures, rustic decor, and uplifting earthy colors, the once-unloved warehouse has been entirely reimagined, becoming a magical retreat that's bound to spark inspiration. Designed for all things botanical, Joanna has taken the industrial space and turned it into a bohemian-style herbarium.
The hanging dried flowers frame the room, providing both texture and color, and also nod to the room's botanical purpose. It's a highly functional space, too, from the wooden bookcases to the vintage flower press, every nook has been considered, and space has undoubtedly been utilized. In true Joanna fashion, she's decorated with vintage and balanced these elements perfectly with a refreshing sage green paint that adorns the walls. The result is a space that's filled with lived-in charm and patina.
Made from mango wood and designed to look weathered, this frame adds the perfect warmth to the pale green walls of the herbarium.
This print of a pressed flower adorns the walls of the herbarium. There's an aged vintage feel to these prints, which would suit an equally aged vintage-style frame like the one above.
Simple to use and portable, if you want to get into flower pressing this little linen covered press makes it so easy to turn your blooms into dried artwork.
'When I think about the Seed and Supply building, I can’t help but smile because it just reminds me of those early days when Fixer Upper (Joanna's first home makeover show) started. So, when we first got this building, it was at the Little Shop on Bosque,' explains Joanna.
In this Mini Reni, Joanna has undoubtedly acknowledged the building's industrial history, bringing it to life through the theme of botany and nature.
