I was getting modern farmhouse burnout until I saw Joanna Gaines's latest remodel – this is the best living room she's ever designed, and achieving the look is so easy
It is warm and welcoming, not contrived
Modern farmhouse style became ever-present around 2010 when you couldn't move from one block to another without seeing one of these distinct house styles. However, circa 2024, I am noticing more and more designers and decorators moving away from this cookie-cutter style to something a little more individual, and HGTV star Joanna Gaines is championing this liberation.
Known for her early modern farmhouse style, Gaines has transitioned into a much more grown-up, elevated look over recent years, and this mid-century modern marvel – with a touch of Spanish Revival – is perhaps her best design yet. It tells a story...
'It always starts with the story of the home. How do I unearth that and bring that back to life?' Joanna explained in a conversation with Architectural Digest.
In the case of Joanna Gaines Lake House, the original owners wanted to blend their two favored styles: mid-century modern and Spanish Revival. For Gaines, it was important to honor the house's original architectural styles from 1965 rather than turn it into a farmhouse. The designer leaned into this and the final result is certainly impressive.
With its classic looks and pared-back style, mid-century modern decor is enduringly popular – and it is easy to see why this look is revered so highly, even now. However, it is one of the hardest looks to get right.
The simple shapes of this era, which spanned the decade between the Thirties and the Seventies, were inspired by earlier design movements, including the Bauhaus school in Germany. Materials such as molded plastics allowed some of the world's best interior designers to explore new textures, colors, and forms.
Paired with the modern Spanish Revival style – think terracotta tiles, plastered walls, curved lines, and arches – a marriage of these two styles, albeit unexpected, works wonders in Joanna Gaines's Lake House living room.
The beauty of the surrounding landscape with its panoramic view of Lake Waco served as further inspiration for the merging of two seemingly incompatible styles. It turns out it was a match made in heaven.
Shop the look
My favorite elements in the room are the ones that correlate to the overall story. The rustic wall decor, the touches of brown accents, and the patterned rug underfoot are all standout details. They warm up the mid-century aesthetic.
Popular brand
Brown is the color of the moment for winter 2024, and I've been shopping for brown glass vases – the easiest way to introduce this hue – left, right, and center. Torre & Tagus designs are some of my favorites. Decorate with eucalyptus in the summer, and cedar and snowberries in the winter.
Editor's choice
Joanna Gaines x Loloi rugs are the best for a good reason. They are machine washable, affordable and timeless. I have one in almost every room in my house, and I can't see myself shopping anywhere else for them. I would argue that a rug is the most defining feature in a room – it can make or break a space.
Similar match
An antithesis to minimalist interiors, rustic wall decor is an interior design style guaranteed to feel cozy, comforting, and characterful. This set of three birds will infuse your home with a hint of countryside charm. Thus creating a space that tells a unique story – one that mimics nature.
Luxury buy
If you're going to invest in anything, make sure it is a beautiful, well-made marble tray. I love mine – it has moved from home to home with me, across multiple different countries and I just know I will have it forever. It is worth every dime. The gorgeous fluted details – another popular trend – are the icing on the cake.
Best-seller
Eucalyptus leaves are admired for their beautiful gray-green or blue-green foliage. This aesthetic attribute make them a top choice for contemporary schemes where they fit right in alongside spaces decorated in neutrals, raw timbers and other natural materials, such as linen and stone.
Exact item
The Graham Coral Navy rug is an exact match for the one in this living room. Rugs are an easy way to bring warmth and softness to hard floors, but they are also a fabulous way to add color and texture. It's the best way to change the overall look and feel without redoing your whole room.
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Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.
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