See how Joanna Gaines created old-world charm on a budget in these his and hers home offices – the rooms are recognizable from the previous bland white spaces

In the most recent episode of her new series, Mini Reni, Joanna Gaines, renovates two bland box rooms and turns them into deeply personal, vintage-inspired home offices

designer Joanna gaines photographed sat on an entryway bench with green cabinetry either side, a bamboo window blind, and two cushions
(Image credit: Magnolia Network)

Joanna Gaines' Mini Reni series continues to inspire and surprise. You'd think after seven projects, inspiration may begin to wane. But not Joanna, channeling her modern rustic style and fusing it with her clients' needs, she created two deeply personal his and hers home office ideas.

Joanna started with an all-white box room that lacked character, divided by a pair of doors. She was tasked with creating two separate his and hers offices for a young couple with different interests and styles. She explains the project was about, 'Balancing two rooms – one that’s very masculine, and one that is very feminine.'

The result is two distinctly individual spaces. One is luxe, moody, and filled with old-world decor, and the other is refreshingly elegant and French-inspired, both representing the owners' contrasting personalities.

Joanna uses clever styling and a classic palette to make the two rooms feel connected, transforming a once neglected space into stylish studies. Plus, she's shared where to buy the key pieces from each space.

Before

His home office after

Despite the home offices being very different in style, Joanna uses rustic, vintage-inspired decor to give both spaces a similar sense of character and aged elegance.

Starting in his office, Joanna explains how she added character to the space. 'This was their formal living room, into the formal dining room. Literally just a white box with concrete floors. And now what you see is these warm laminate floors. After we applied the molding and this chair rail, we then painted it all one color and then added this beautiful wallpaper. The (Windsor Blue wallpaper available at Home Depot) is from my newest collection with York. I love how all of this really comes together. You have these layers, you have this texture.' These architectural touches frame the space and radiate grandeur, perfect for a refined study room.

The keywords for this room were Masculine & Moody, which this space certainly feels. But it's not without a softness and warmth too, mostly in thanks to the gallery wall

All good home office desk ideas feature some chic desk decor. Joanna scatters gold accents that contrast beautifully with the deep navy walls, like the brass calendar and tray.

Her home office after

Taking one space and dividing it into two, Joanna separates the rooms with a pair of doors. Although the two rooms are different, Joanna explains that you can blend the two spaces together using the right decor, common colors, and good styling. 'Then you step from dark to light, and you see how these patterns and colors and even the styling all tie back to each other. You can really blend that beautifully, even in the difference, even in the contrast, how do you tie it together so it doesn't seem so different?'

The keywords from her office could not have been more different from Masculine & Moody, for this space the brief was Happy French Girl.

Starting with the wallpaper idea, Joanna says, 'In here I used my wallpaper, this is French Linen Stripe from Magnolia. We did some trim work on the ceiling and painted it Sunday Stroll from Magnolia. Taking their very basic, normal, hollow core door, we added this applied molding to make it feel just a little more elevated.' Like his office, her office features similar architectural features that create a sense of character.

Like all good rug trends, this piece helps bring warmth and pattern into the room. Joanna says, 'I really wanted to ground the space with this beautiful patterned textured rug.' The vintage-style furniture gives the space some patina and personality. 'These sweet, simple chairs just help create a moment where they can drink coffee, tea, and connect.'

There are plenty of thoughtful details in her office, but the personal shadow box is an intentional touch that nods back to the client. Joanna says, 'The story here was she wanted it to be very French-inspired. This is one of my favorite things to add to any space, just a collection of stories and intention that makes the room feel a lot more meaningful.'


Joanna makes the home office look beautiful with her signature elevated country style. It's obvious that the young couple has been considered right from the start, as Joanna nods to their personalities in small but mighty ways throughout the design.

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Eleanor Richardson
Interior Design News Editor

I am the Interior Design News Editor at Homes and Gardens, covering mainly US-based designers and trending news stories. My love for interiors began when I interned in an interior design studio, working on commercial and private spaces. My passion grew while working in production, where I sourced beautiful locations for photoshoots and campaigns. Outside of work, I enjoy collecting antique decor and mid-century furniture for my home.

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