Joanna Gaines's mid-century modern kitchen blends her classic country style with a modern retro feel – and the result is a transitional space that feels so unique

Think Joanna Gaines and you instantly think of her iconic style; the perfect balance of rustic farmhouse, charming country, and just a touch of modernity, so it feels right for now.

But this kitchen project is like nothing I have seen from Joanna before. It's a mid-century modern masterpiece that, while still warm and welcoming, has a totally different feel from the usually more traditional spaces she creates.

The kitchen was part of the highly anticipated Lake House renovation, which was part of Joanna and her husband Chip's Fixer Upper series revealed last summer. But over a year on, it's a space I still return to for inspiration on how to do this timeless style in a way that's full of texture and layers.

Mid-century modern is a style I love, but I often feel when recreating the look, it can feel a bit lacking in... personality. This kitchen manages to balance both, a space that feels characterful and inviting (just as we come to expect from Joanna's style), but it's also very trendy and a touch retro.

It's hardly surprising that the beauty of the Texan landscape surrounding the property and its panoramic view of Lake Waco served as inspiration for the kitchen color scheme. A poignant moment in one episode of Fixer Upper: The Lake House sees Joanna holding up a sample of the cherry wood used throughout the home to the backdrop of trees in the yard: it’s a match, she delights.

It's the color combination of sage green, beige, and rich brown that I think makes this mid-century inspired space work. The warm, nature-inspired colors balance the clean, sleek lines of the space. Mid-century modern is so often associated with cooler color schemes, whites and gray, and chrome finishes. But in this space, the mid-century shapes are there, but the color palette is more 2025 than 1960s.

Texture is another element of this space that makes it feel warm and welcoming. Using texture in interior design, especially in a kitchen, can instantly elevate the entire look and feel of the space. Joanna uses texture in the form of tactile objects, such as wood and stone, to add physical comfort and visual interest to a space.

Finally, although mid-century in design, the room doesn't feel overly themed. With its muted, earthy palette and carefully curated collection of antiques and modernist pieces, this handsome, mid-century modern kitchen is a lesson in how to do mid-century modern style in 2025 (and beyond).

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