Joanna Gaines drew inspiration from the 1930s to turn this 'blank canvas' into a bold yet tranquil space
In less than one week, the designer transformed this living room into a 'colorful, character-filled' space – here's what the process involved


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Joanna Gaines's latest series, Mini Reni, offers the same level of inspiration we enjoyed on Fixer Upper – but with a notably tighter turnaround time.
Most recently, the designer transformed a quaint 1930s home – using an earthy color scheme to accentuate its original architectural assets – and highlight its vintage charm.
'Earthy blues and greens, textured tile, and lattice molding work together in this Meni Reni living room to create the whimsy, artful, storied look the homeowner wanted in a color palette we knew she loved,' Joanna says.
What was once an entirely 'blank canvas' is a cocooning, whimsical space that pays homage to its early twentieth-century roots while impressing in the contemporary day.
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'We wanted to create more impact on the main wall in this Mini Reni living room. We knew the homeowner wanted more color and pattern here, so we played up the fireplace and transformed this blank canvas into a colorful, character-filled living space.'
On the Magnolia blog, the team expands more on Joanna's decorating choices. Here, they discuss the trim – and how creating a 'focal point' on the back wall was the 'main goal' for the room. 'As a nod to the original charm of this 1930s home, Jo and the team used thin screen molding from the local home improvement store to create a textured accent wall,' they comment.
Jo and the Mini Reni team also replicated the 'pediment detailing' seen in the dining room (a space to which we've already penned a love letter). This creates a subtle yet meaningful flow through the entire home – and reminds us of its traditional heritage.
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As Joanna hints, the homeowner has a love for color, so this was her chance to experiment with some 'unexpected hues.' She decided on shade, Garden Party –a light army green with notes of hazel (available via Magnolia Home), and Weathered Windmill for trim, baseboards, and ceiling.
To complement the primarily green color scheme, Joanna chose earthy-hued furnishings from Magnolia (naturally) and muted gold accents that subtly pay homage to the quiet luxury trend.
And, of course, she decorated with flowers, which look as beautiful in the same morning Texas sun that graced the home in the 30s. We're rushing to replicate the look with some stand-out pieces below. They're sure to continue to impress – far beyond Waco.
Described as 'simple and elegant', the Selena End Table pairs durable, heavyweight materials with an open, airy design. Its rounded tabletop of polished white marble is a timeless base for our favorite books, vase, or coffee cup.
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Megan is the News and Trends Editor at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes. As the News Editor, she often focuses on emerging microtrends, sleep and wellbeing stories, and celebrity-focused pieces. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
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