Joanna Gaines, a renowned interior designer known for her contemporary industrial style, has shared her tips and stories behind her home remodels. Her unique approach to home decor has captured the hearts of millions, with her style being a blend of rustic charm. Gaines walks readers through creating a home that reflects the personalities and stories of the people who live there, using examples from her family farmhouse and other homes. Over the years, Chip and Joanna Gaines have made thousands of people’s home goals a reality, whether in-person on HGTV’s Fixer Upper show or with their Magnolia Home line.
The white, horizontal wood panels that neatly overlap with one another became an immediate mainstay when Chip and Joanna Gaines installed it. Surprisingly, Joanna does not have a formal design education, learning much of what she knows on the job. She has put the time and effort in to create a garden blooming with spring color and perfect for cut flower arrangements. With an emphasis on the subtle, but endearing, Joanna is able to craft a room that invites you in without feeling overwhelming.
Joanna Gaines is one of the best-known interior designers in the world, co-star of popular home reno show Fixer Upper. Her floral pairings housed in rustic vessels are the perfect recipe for an indoor spring display, according to experts.
📹 A New Bern Nest that Joanna Gaines would approve of! 😍
A key in hand is worth way more than two in the bush… and with a yard this landscaped, you can have both! (We’ll even throw in …
Who pays Chip and Joanna on Fixer Upper?
HGTV’s house hunting show requires homeowners to have a home with a purchase price under $200, 000 and require at least $30, 000 worth of renovations. The show does not fund the renovations, but covers the cost of one bonus item and pays a talent fee to Chip and Joanna. The renovation budget may seem impossible for the show’s success, as the buyers are getting the renovations done at a cost. Some homeowners may already own their home or have submitted an offer to purchase a home, even though the show is sometimes staged.
The whole home gets a makeover, with not every room fixed or gutted, but all cosmetic updates completed for the homeowner. The show’s focus on affordability and affordability allows viewers to see the potential for homeowners to make informed decisions about their home purchase.
Did Chip and Joanna sell the castle?
Last year’s tours were an open house for the Gainses, who planned to sell the property after a TV special aired. The property was listed for $2. 9 million and offered on auction, but the keys to the castle remain part of the Magnolia portfolio. After restoration, the property went to auction, but the buyer and Magnolia agreed not to close. Magnolia has obtained a special permit from the city of Waco to resume operations as a “house museum” for at least six months until April 17, 2024.
What interior design program does Joanna Gaines use?
Joanna Gaines, a HGTV star, uses SketchUp Pro for interior design demonstrations. 3D interior design, a type of design that uses computer-generated images to create realistic models of rooms or buildings, is crucial in interior design as it allows for realistic visualization of designs, helps learn design principles, and aids in developing ideas for home interiors. It is an excellent tool for enhancing design skills.
Is Joanna Gaines a professional designer?
Joanna Gaines, an American interior designer and television host, is best known for her HGTV reality series “Fixer Upper”, where she and her husband Chip Gaines rebuild properties for people who need extra help in their design dreams. Born in Kansas in 1978, Gaines currently lives in Waco, Texas. Together with her husband Chip, they founded their own business, Magnolia, which features modern industrial style and farmhouse-inspired designs.
Joanna has written several books, including The Magnolia Story, Homebody: A Guide to Designing Places You’ll Never Want to Leave, and Magnolia Table, a two-volume cookbook (2018–20). She also discusses her life in The Tales We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters.
Joanna and Chip Gaines attended the same university but didn’t meet until they were outside at an auto shop. They have five children and announced that they would soon be getting their own cable TV channel as part of the launch of a new multiplatform media company. They have collaborated on over 100 homes, combining Chip’s real estate intuition with Joanna’s distinct design sense.
Magnolia, owned by Chip and Joanna Gaines, presents personality-driven lifestyle episodes on topics such as home construction, renovation, and cuisine. Chip is the risk-taker, while Joanna is the detail-oriented planner. DIY Network, an HGTV spin-off focused on instructional programming for DIY projects, debuted in 1999 and shifted its focus to reality programming highlighting people working in home improvement and related industries.
During The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2018, Gaines revealed that they were in the early stages of negotiations with Discovery Inc. to create a “lifestyle focused television network” through their own company Magnolia. Gaines is currently taking a step back and considering where she wants to focus her efforts moving forward, as her children grow older and more independent.
Who pays for the remodeling on Fixer Upper?
The homeowners are responsible for their own renovations, but HGTV does not fund the entire project. They pay for a single big ticket item, such as a dining room table or sectional couch, but only for that item. HGTV covers the talent fee, allowing the homeowners to get a full-blown renovation without paying for the design services. The homeowners are not allowed to keep everything, except for the HGTV-funded item, which includes rugs, tables, and small trinkets. Built-in fixtures, such as chandeliers and cabinets, are likely pre-purchased by the customer and are permanent.
What decor style is Magnolia Home?
Magnolia Market, a home decor store in Waco, Texas, offers a blend of cottagecore, bohemian, and traditional design styles, contrasting with the farmhouse aesthetic often associated with Magnolia. The brand, created by Chip and Joanna Gaines, has evolved from a single shop to a household name, incorporating a blend of farmhouse, modern, and antique styles. One of the most popular design trends at Magnolia is scallop motifs, which can be found on various items such as vases, baskets, candles, and coasters.
The brand has even released a Scalloped Collection, featuring white and black dinnerware with golden, scalloped edges. By incorporating these design trends into your home, you can create a unique and stylish home.
What is Joanna Gaines design style called?
Joanna Gaines, a renowned interior designer, author, and co-founder of the Magnolia lifestyle brand, is known for her role on HGTV’s “Fixer Upper”. Gaines has been renovating homes in Waco, Texas, for the past 12 years, combining sleek, contemporary lines with cozy, old-fashioned rural decor. Her passion for modern farmhouse decor has led to numerous design trends, including rustic shiplap walls, sliding barn doors, fresh flowers, and statement antiques.
Open shelving is a popular way to showcase personal personality and favorite dish collections in the kitchen. Unlike traditional wall cabinets, open shelves make it easy to access items and save space. Gaines incorporates many open shelving concepts into her “Fixer Upper” designs, claiming that they add dimension to any room and help create better organization. With just a little TLC, maintenance work, cute decor, and new coats of paint, Gaines can make an old and run-down house look fresh.
Do clients keep decor on Fixer Upper?
The first episode of Fixer Upper: The Castle, a spin-off show by Chip and Joanna Gaines, has raised questions about the logistics of the original HGTV series. The homeowners were required to either purchase or return furniture from HGTV or resell it after filming. The furniture included giant clocks, modern chairs, and small trinkets used by Joanna to decorate the kitchen countertop. However, Joanna occasionally gifted the homeowners a piece or two from the staging, usually a refurbished item or a personal touch that spoke to the clients, but it wasn’t guaranteed.
What religion are Chip and Joanna?
Chip and Joanna Gaines, members of the evangelical Antioch Community Church, have faced criticism for their anti-gay views. In 2016, they appeared on video discussing their local pastor, Jimmy Seibert, who denounced homosexuality and gay marriage. In 2017, the Gaineses settled with the US Environmental Protection Agency over allegations of violating lead paint safety rules during home renovations. They paid $40, 000 in fines and pledged to comply with regulations.
Born Joanna Stevens in 1978, the Gaineses were raised by Korean immigrant Nan Stevens and American of Lebanese-German heritage Jerry Stevens. They met in Seoul, South Korea, and settled in Austin, Texas, where her father opened a franchise Firestone Tire store. Joanna appeared in television commercials for the business. The Gaineses remain committed to raising awareness in their community and industry.
Does Fixer Upper use an architect?
Fixer Upper does not employ architects on its projects, as Magnolia Homes does not have a licensed architect on staff. Instead, the design team handles the production of drawings and construction documents in-house. In episodes where Joanna removes a major wall to create an “open concept floor plan”, they use structural engineers for load-bearing walls that require beams. However, Magnolia Homes is not breaking any rules for not having an architect draw the plans, as the state of Texas does not require an architect to stamp drawings for single-family homes.
Is Joanna Gaines a millionaire?
Joanna Gaines and her husband Chip have an estimated net worth of $50 million, primarily from Fixer Upper and the Magnolia empire they have created. Their wealth is primarily derived from their television show Fixer Upper. They have also invested in various sectors, including personal finance, stock market, and crypto. They have also invested in various currencies, ETFs, and mutual funds. Their wealth is a testament to their success and the influence of their celebrity status.
📹 Chip & Joanna Gaines renovated a Lakehouse.. and I don’t think I like it..
WAS (THE STORE) Shower Curtains: Dropping OCTOBER Pillows: Dropping DECEMBER STUFF …
You’re assuming “Lakehouse” means recreational property for an extended family on the shore of a lake. This is nowhere near that. There is no water frontage, and at 3 million bucks this is going to be a primary residence for 2 doctors that have converted 2 bedrooms to personal offices. The fish will be fed! You’re right about the light fixtures though.
Haha Paige hates lime wash in any form. I don’t mind it here, applied to the fireplace, i think it makes sense for the Spanish revival context. I like that they didn’t completely rethink the fireplace and kept it pretty original as its one of the few Spanish design elements. I agree about the the built-ins tho. Generally, I wish they had leaned more into the Spanish revival. They went hard on the mid century, which… I’m getting bored of but, it’s relevant for this home so that’s fine.
This one was tricky because on the one hand, it’s well designed for photos and a magazine: pleasing color palette, trendy and classic, commercial etc etc. But my gripe is too many round edges between the kitchen and living room. I like the curved shelves, but not the asymmetry. I like the round entry between the rooms, but then there’s an arch, a curved island, a round table, a curved hood, globe lights. Like, relax.
Surprisingly this might be one of Chip & Joanna’s best projects in my opinion. I am happy to see them allowing the house’s original architecture and interior design to shine. I do feel strongly against most of their lighting choices, especially their chandeliers & pendant lights which look cheap and feel lazy when so many thoughtful choices were made. While I am being extremely opinionated, this project really looks great and a win for this beautiful home.
I liked this house overall. I think they did a good job, and I don’t think it’s truly a lake house as in a second home for vacationing. I think it’s meant to be someone’s full time home with a lake somewhere in the back, although it didn’t appear visible from any of the shots that were shown. I think they overdid the arches, and curves, and I agree that the light fixtures all resembled one another. That being said, I think it’s an amazing house with so much greenery around it. The views were breathtaking.
I usually don’t like anything they do but I actually love what they did with this place – even the fireplace personally haha. I remember when I first saw the photos though I noticed the light fixtures looking cheap too. I have to agree on that. Plus the kitchen tile in the entry would have been beautiful too!
If this is like…off of Lake Shore Drive where I think it probably is (I haven’t seen the show, to be fair, but I did live in Waco before), most of those are just nice full-time houses. There’s a few little upscale coves and neighborhoods out that way, and I can absolutely see someone living here year-round. I think they just called it the Lake House because, well, they give all of their TV houses little nicknames. Also, I’m a mid-century house stan, so I love the terrazzo! If it’s up on a cliff over the lake, this might not matter as much, but it’s easy to clean for outdoorsy muck. (This looks like it’s in the “cliff above the lake” section judging by the view off of the pool, though.) Waco does have some lovely mid-century houses sprinkled in…well, where they weren’t ruined by flippers. One of the ones on the original series (Jill’s house) where they embraced the style was great, but I’m still viscerally angry about all of the painted brick and mismatched farmhouse accents on a lot of the other ones they did. But yeah! A LOT of the city’s nicer neighborhoods sprung up in the mid-century era.
For such a beautiful house and location it makes me super sad that they took it out of context and kinda just slapped a bunch of trends together. I love the wood details and I’m a marble lover but everything was so rounded that it felt cheap and gimmicky. The light fixtures were all pretty bad and didn’t seem like they would diffuse the light nicely at all, and I swear they put flying metal birds in every room. The entry was nice but I actually really liked the original glass- it was so unique! I knew when I saw the before pics and really liked them that it was probably gonna be sad. Where’s the tongue and groove wood paneling? Where’s the cozy feel? It’s too themed which makes it feel cheap and staged.. Not collected and thoughtful and old like a lot of lake houses/beach houses feel (because they belong to a family and have history). It should be a relaxed, warm, and cozy space. More like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Tirranna or Ablin house
Have to disagree with you Paige. This house was and is hideous. The exterior is a 1970s nightmare. the courtyard looks like a tragic suburban office building. The “upgrade” is grandiose, cold, and impersonal, like a hotel. Tiles in a central staircase? Is this my middle school? Nothing cozy or vacation about it.
I agree about the light fixtures. I feel like more paper material or ones with like a contrasting metal color fixtures would have tied in better. Also that fireplace needed a cool piece of art, it was so blank. I like how Joanna plays with some colors, texture, and contrast in a house that will be listed. She doesn’t put up with the grey and beige BS anymore and I think that’s nice.
agree the living room fireplace/bookcase area styling is pretty bad… similar to the library, it’s almost like they’re trying to incorporate Japandi into Spanish and MCM ? it’s a jarring combo for a lakehouse and misses the mark for me, like force-fitting an aesthetic into a home where it structurally and contextually doesn’t make sense. overall, kinda feels like a cheap rip off of Lone Fox’s Spanish style home & aesthetic (esp the kitchen) :/
I agreed with many of your points. I especially loved the interior courtyard, but the yellow cushioned furniture around the pool, while cute, are more 1950’s Palm Springs than the 60’s aesthetic of this home. The 80’s flooring and bathroom needed to go, but also agree with the fluted glass looking out of place. I replied to a viewer’s comment on lighting, but I think Herman Miller lighting would look fantastic in this home instead of their Target line.
11:35 I agree with this 100%… the rounded fireplace was a much more interesting focal point sitting in contrast to the straight lines of the shelves that were there before. Not saying they needed to keep that exact ones, in fact, they needed an upgrade.. but the continuing of the curves? I’m the lime wash style? Idk. It makes the fireplace get lost. It’s almost dizzying. And woulda been a perfect place to add some darker wood for a lake house vibe. 16:48 agreed again. I don’t like this kitchen. Doesn’t feel lakehousey attttt allll.
I loved most of the lake house upgrade, but didn’t like the ceiling fixtures, didn’t like a lot of the tile install, and as to the rec room, where do the folks watch football or movies? The built in couch restricts TV placement ( and does not look comfy.) Yes, designers don’t like designing for TVs, but they should plan for at least one in a home even if they don’t include it in the staging.
they had such an opportunity to make this really special. i like some of the stuff they did, but their design choices always leave me feeling like i’m looking at a movie set or an ai photo, rather than a place that’s meant to be lived in or used to host. I would’ve loved to see more terracotta or brick flooring, architectural salvage features, vintage lighting (because we know they can afford it) and some really fun textiles for styling. having some spanish or spanish revival light fixtures and doing the fireplace right would’ve made all the difference tbh.
I was thinking the exact same thing about the kitchen. Trendy, trendy, trendy. The regurgitated marble is ever-y-where and done poorly. It reminds me of Lone Fox’s kitchen. But at least his has a (old-world) theme. This one’s all over the place. And doesn’t he have that exact bistro table? I hate the floor too.
I love it, as a main home, not lake house. It feels very Southern California. I agree with the rounded shelves at the fireplace, bookcases in that beautiful wood would have been my choice. I do love all the wood, staircase is stunning, but I agree that she needs to have some help in picking lighting! It is a beautiful home.
I disagree with most of the comments 😅 I think it’s beautifully made. I loooove arches, but if I were to critique this, I don’t think the different styles of roundness worked together, they should have been more cohesive. I also adore marble, so no matter how trendy it is for me it’s still timeless. I agree with the light fixtures (not the best) and with the fact that some parts look a bit hotel like (but I know a lot of people who want that in their homes). I think the home is meant to be a residence, not a holiday home. All in all, to me it’s a gorgeous home, which could’ve had a few cozier elements.
I think they did a really good job. “Lake House” can mean a lot of different things to different people. This also doesn’t seem like it is a “once in a while” residence, and more of someone’s everyday home. They are also a business. They are going to play to trends to make sure that they are staying relevant while giving nods to other eras. We all might hate it at times, but we can’t just throw out trends and say they don’t exist because they do. Also, the majority of their consumer market is not on a 1st Dibs budget. They are on a Target budget. Playing into that reality makes sense and helps keep people feeling like they have access to their high end market.
We HATE their light fixtures!! Also, the ribbed glass windows throughout was like a strange art-deco look that didn’t fit the rest of the house. I’d say this is more of a “house by a lake” than a “lake house” from the way Chip & Joanna designed the place. I really enjoy your articles, and almost always agree with your design critiques. Have fun at Taix! Although I must share that it’s pronounced tex 🫣 (I’m a local).
Fireplace, extending the rounded corners makes sense to me because of the arch of the fireplace, and then adding the plaster shelving vs wood to me makes sense. I agree with everything else you said. That doorway opening is weird for sure. It doesn’t gel. The corner radius is awkward and that middle wood trim is unlike everything else. Square kitchen tile in the inset shelf in the kitchen doesn’t match the Spanish feel of the house I’d have gone with Spanish tiles in the kitchen which would also compliment the floor. Those white cabinets with brass? ew. I kinda love terrazo though. Reminds me of an art gallery I worked at in the 90s. I could be wrong, but I think the arch is a departure from the squares and victorian era or classical design? Maybe it’s a nod to art nouveau? Some of the arches here were totally unnecessary like in the bedroom mirror area. Not needed.
I agree with you on all points esp the light fixtures and leaning too heavy on MCM. I would have like to see the juxtaposition of MCM with more Spanish Revival elements like old wood tables or chairs and heavy wood doors to chunky iron hardware which could have been much more interesting. There is absolutely no play between light spaces and dark which makes me loathe it even more and see it devoid of humanity. I feel the lake house was AI generated for some corporate retreat i.e. Target management. BTW I too hate the terrazzo! 😂 FAIL!
I completely agree about arches Paige. An arch is an architectural element above an entryway, like a door or a window. Putting them on a cabinet, like the coffee bar in the kitchen is a non-functional ornamental detail that completely contradicts the pared back, utilitarianism of mid century-modern. The juxtaposition just doesn’t work because it’s totally inauthentic for both styles.
Paige, you don’t have to constantly bring up that you own a lake house, which is something that only a small percentage of people can relate too. After a while, it can really feel like you’re alienating the audience by bragging about owning something like that. Your qualifications as prop stylist and an industry expert in the world of interior design are enough to critique the place. You don’t have to say you also have a lake house, which according to you is your parents’ not yours.
I really dislike this space. I’ve grown quite tired of the perfectly designed, nay, overly designed, spaces these days. It reminds me of 2016’s millennial Instagram pages where everything became perfect perfect perfect looking. What I specifically dislike about this space, though, is that everything looks to be one tone, and absolutely no one lives that way, unless you’re Kim K living in her asylum house. I want to see more authentic-looking spaces, and it’s my opinion that a great designer can achieve that.
Hello Paige, well, I don’t have Instagram, i do but I never go there. Maybe one of these days I’ll take the plunge. In terms of this house, I pretty much agree with about 75% of what you said. I personally would not have changed anything major about this house. I think the entry way was beautiful just the way it was. Everything looked good and usable for many years to come. I though the original flooring was beautiful. I really believe in respecting the original structures of a home that big and really not that old. We tend to want to “modernize” everything in this country, and we tear down old beautiful things to build a box. I don’t get it. What an ego journey this guys went into to do this project, and what a waste of money. OK, I could write a paper about this critic, but I’m not. I’ll just leave it like this. Cheers to you and keep them coming.
Re: “Waco having a midcentury moment”, and the general combination of mid century and spanish style architecture- this is VERY common in Texas. I grew up in Austin, where most of the suburb style neighborhoods were built between the 50’s-70’s. My family lived in a small single story house built in the 60’s, which had elements very similar to the exterior of this one. Our second house was a full-on 50’s mid century house with low roof lines and elongated horizontal lines everywhere. I would say this style is typical in central Texas, although this is a very grand version of it.
Those stairs are giving me creepy 80s mega church vibes. And now I can’t get the creepy church vibes out of my head. The outside is the best part. When I saw the yellow umbrella, I finally felt happy…and for a whole house to give zero happy moments is the antithesis to “lake house”…just a creepy cult 80s church. I didn’t mind the kitchen.
People who own 3 million dollar homes rarely do any work themselves. They hire everything out. You will find arches on all Spanish or Spanish revival houses, that is a typical architecture feature of the style. I don’t see the issue with the green color. It goes perfect with those shades of wood and it is a classic color, even one of the most representative of the style.
Oh Paige, you are so obtuse. Their market is not vintage consumers. These people are mainstream, pedestrian decorators/designers and their Target consumers are their target market. But there are things they do that you could actually learn from because you have a very narrow perspective. Your obsession with vintage is so try hard wannabe.
The entire problem with this? It’s *MID CENTURY-THEMED*. Every piece of furniture and finish is MCM-inspired however every piece is brand new and it makes it look 100% trendy, not timeless or classic. It somehow even makes the (super expensive) marble look a little cheap. I’m sure someone is going to love it and buy it, furnished even, but they’re gonna be bored of the styling in five years and go for the next trend. Which will then require to change the finishes as well as they are themed too. The choices regarding lay-out and windows were thankfully done so well and clearly by a skilled professional. (Also, I really love the bones/house and really wanted to love it! And thought I did when I saw the thumbnail!)
While I’m glad that Joanna is moving in the direction of embracing the architectural style of the houses she’s remodeling, incorporating more authentic vintage furniture, and including more period appropriate elements, this whole design feels really off to me. First thing, this house is designed in a really unique Mission Revival inspired style, but the interiors are treated as if they are restoring some Mid Century modern show house, with no hint of the house’s Mission influences visible. It looks more like a Mad Men appropriate set than a real home with a unique combination of styles to draw from. Second, I think that the reason why all the ceiling fixtures look so cheap and out of place is that they are too small for the rooms they are in and the materials look to be a cheap metal painted gold instead of a genuine brass. That is why the mixed metals in the dining room don’t work; the chairs are likely made of real chrome, while the ceiling light is fake gold. It looks about as good as a framed college dorm poster of the Mona Lisa hung in the Louvre, because being next to real high quality pieces makes the imitation only look worse. Finally, not only does the kitchen look like it belongs in a completely different house, it looks like it’s from a completely different continent. The beautiful marble, rich wood tones, and rounded corner motifs look like they are straight out of a fashionable French chateau, which, while stylish, is not in tune with the midcentury Texas lake house it’s attached too.
agree with a lot of the thoughts. yes, design preferences are personal, but less so when you’re updating and staging a home to SELL. as an ex-Realtor in Texas who regularly goes to a lake house (lol), I personally like honoring the mid-century history of the house, but agree that the library to the living and kitchen suddenly went from southern US/American mid-century to Italian mid-century.
I love your articles so much. I wish i can get your help in designing my home decor. I’ve been so inspired by your articles to actually try things around my home, because I’ve always been afraid of trying something, even to hang a piece of art. Therefore, my home has been very borning, and plain. I really love your home style and ideas. If I can get your help, I would be so so grateful! Thank you for all your articles!
I don’t necessarily agree. I actually like everything except the floor tile in the kitchen. It completely clashes with the counter, which I actually love. I think the tile should have been something white so as not yo detract from the decor. As for the rounded edges and mcm feel, it IS a mid century home in Texas, so. It completely off.
You sum up exactly what I was thinking throughout the article…this is not a lake house. Just another rich persons house and they just did what they normally do, again as you say, to sell their products. The repeat of those ceiling light fixtures in nearly every room is just comical. Probably the stairway is my favorite part of the entire house. The only thing “lake house” about this place is that outdoor fire pit area.
I think its a beautiful home and nothing they did was egregious by any means but it needs more warmth. The floors are fine but that warm tile in the kitchen is so much better and like you said, vintage light fixtures would have been way better. Obviously for whoever buys this home I think (besides the floor) these are easy changes. I assume the furniture is just staging and that’s why they don’t do a better job of it. You can always cover the floors with rugs though lol
I never see a home tour where you like anything new and modern. I don’t like the straight stack of tile in the entryway. I don’t like the stair railing – reminds me of bougie farm fencing. The tile would work if it were the only thing going on, but it’s competing with everything else which I agree; is becoming thematically MCM. I mean if you’re going to do MCM, lean into it hard and come correct. All the curves, complex geometry layered up with various materials to overcomplicate things makes it feel like sudo-MCM. It doesn’t feel honest – feels MCM trendy. I don’t mind the fireplace, but HATE the lime washed rounded-corner shelves – instead I would have loved to see some Dieter Rams 606 style metal shelving – just to offer some contrast since it’s another style of MCM. Speaking of which, their styling is HELLA mid. The brasilia style cabinet doors with the little “herman miller” knobs, the brown leathers, tapered legs, fluted glass – all tries too hard. The marble slabs in the kitchen are ATROCIOUS. Girrlll … that statement hood … can we stop doing statement hoods? The sconces are a NO. The only thing I like in the kitchen are the floors. OH I HATE the wall panels they made at the top of the stairs – like what is that? I guess kinda like interior breeze blocks? Love the wood paneling in that rec/relaxing room. Hate THAT fireplace tho. That primary bathroom is also a NO – hate the vanity, hate the fluted glass showers and the large metal enclosure. I don’t know why, but it’s giving MCM meets Gothic which sounds really interesting, but maybe that giant marble vanity is taking me out of that fantasy.
Oh my God Paige…”this is not a lake house.” Were you expecting to see ducks and geese wall paper all over the house.? Not everyone has your taste. This one was hard to watch I am not gonna lie. Chip and Joanna obviously are going to promote Magnolia products in their renovations just like you do with your sofa cushions.
My thoughts: 1. If I had the money to pay someone taking care of my kois, I would have a koi pond too. 2. I loved the entryway but I’m scared of those stairs. 3. four books doesn’t make a room a library. 4. I hated the living room, it looks like they went to much on theme. The three wood birds are horrendous 5. The kitchen islands with legs give me ick, also fluted furniture and I would be sick of perusal that marble in two seconds. I also hate it. 6. Why people is obsessed with secret doors and rooms?? Are we living in an Agatha Christie book? Is this a murder mystery escape room? 7. I don’t have thoughts about the dinning room, it’s meh for me. 8. I hate terrazo, it gives my grandma 70s Spanish flat.The school where I work has terrazo floors too. 9. The Rec room is nice, I hate wood paneling but if I had to install one I would do something similar to this. 10. Also hate arches, if they are old medieval ones (like my mum has in her home) I love them. 11. Yellow is my enemy. 12. Meh bedroom. 13. Why are they obsessed with birds?? I hate the bathroom. 14. I want/need a pool, Valencia (Spain) is too hot and humid during summer. 15. I also want a greenhouse but mine would be full of dead plants because I’m the opposite of a green thumb. Mine would look like the Morticia’s Addams conservatory more. 16. Wow, this felt nice, I understand why you like making this kind of articles.
I’m sorry, I think your personal preferences are clouding objective design principles. Also, I am really bored by the constant references to “rich people.” The architecture of this home is NOT a classic lake house. Doing your definition of a lake house doesn’t apply to what they have! Also, you come across as snobby and class-conscious.
I think this reno is all sorts of wrong. Spanish exterior….midcentury L.A. interior?? Hints of japanese minimalism with lime wash and terazzo flooring? I like mixing styles for interest, but this didn’t hit for me. They should have gone more spanish with some classic pieces here and there. I loved the wood and warmth, but the cheap brass and light fixtures were so so bad.
I like the house, and I’d give it a passing grade, because most of the stuff I don’t like is easy to swap out, like the furniture and light fixtures. The bathroom vanity is the thing that I like the least that would be the hardest to remove. I actually don’t mind the yellow tile laundry room sink area.
What’s the point of having a library if you aren’t going to read in it. I LOVE A LIBRARY, but not this one. Comfortable chair with a table next to it, not where I have to keep leaning in front of me to grab my coffee. Lighting closer to the chairs. A hidden small fridge or little bar area. This to me was a huge miss.
I think its beautiful, definitely a huge style upgrade, and FAR from what they originally did a decade ago (in a positive direction). I agree on the light fixtures, and yes, it is MCM with some spanish inspiration, but that didn’t bother me. Its called a lakehouse, but i dont see it as one and shouldn’t be required to be ‘lakey’.
I know its called a “lake house” and that sounds recreational but I think in many parts of the country you just live in these types of homes full time. Where I am from “lake houses” are just peoples homes on lakes they aren’t some extra house you just have and I think thats the vibe here. Especially since its Waco. Its not really a place you run to for seasonal activities like being on a lake, its more of a place you put roots down. I do want to say though, this house is very trendy. I don’t think I really like any of it. It doesn’t inspire or make me feel happy to look at. Nothing about it is cozy. There are moments where it could have been and then they chose a tile or a paint color that made it all fall flat. The lighting is awful (accept for the rec room), and the chrome chairs and brass/gold light in the dining room was not it. The entry floors were boring; the kitchen floors were better but just trendy. I think the architectural elements were on point, but the color pallets and furnishings made this boring to look at. Sad. ALSO where is the Spanish part of the design? A rounded fireplace, and thats it? Meh.
I like your comments on trendy looking . This is a better interior than a lot of articles I see. The two that turned me off big time were of millionaires homes that looked like conference centers of retail spaces. Architectural Digest just did a article on Yolanda Hadid’s home in Texas that seemed like a retail store or restaurant. It was annoying and that HomeWorthy article of the mid century house owned by some interior designer and his partner in the oil business. I think it’s titled “House Tour / A mid-century gem with lush gardens.” These are two really bad interiors that with their budgets just are not good and it just goes to prove that wealth does not buy taste. The articles will make you laugh because they’re so over the top. Please review them. I would love to know your thoughts. Is there something going on in Texas?
You’re not wrong about the light fixtures. There was so much potential to pull away from the classic “immersion of an era” and unfortunately they didn’t stray from that. But honestly I think most people have poor taste in interior design and the masses will love this. Also, I wouldn’t have said no to a wood paddle or some large rocks or anything resembling decor of a house on the lake.
I’m with you on this project. I do love the terrazzo flooring but they should have used better midmid century furniture of Mies van der Rohe and Knoll which would have given the house a more authentic and classic feel. Throughout the whole house I was getting a little Crate and Barrel feel with a little bit of CB2 snuck in there. Light fixtures are horrible. I dislike the kitchen cabinets greatly and the over use of the frosted glass in both the bathroom and Kitchen. It’s like the bathroom and the kitchen have the same feel going on so if I was in the bathroom, it’s like do I take a shower or make myself an espresso. In the end, I agree, the bones are good but I was a bit bored with the green theme of rounded proportions. The Rec room was the best feature as was the pool. But that awful chair in the Rec Room needs to go back to World Market. Love your website.
Okay, I could be wrong but having lived in Waco I would think that this house is not some way out by the lake vacation home. Home the lake is in Waco. It’s attached to Waco. I’m picturing it in a neighborhood and I would think it’s not too far from anywhere in town. So I think Paige has the wrong idea of what this house is, but then again I’m just guessing that it is in town in a neighborhood because that’s where lake Waco is……. Does anyone know if this home is in Waco or another town?
I think what bothers me most about magnolia and huge home renovations in general is that they spend so much money on changing (destroying) the original architecture of the home rather than using their talent and creativity to make the existing space work. Like magnolia specially has a formula that they know will make a home palatable (arches, rounded bookshelves, trendy tile, etc) but it would say so much more to their skill as designers if they could work with what they have and focus on how paint/ lighting/finishes/furniture can impact the space
the fact that this place is meant to only visit and not fully live in gives me so much intense…i don’t know…its not jealously, its not full anger. help me out here. is this a prime example of the widening gap between the uber-rich and the rest of us? this shouldn’t exist as a vacation home. Just my thought
I love Green, BUT I just could not get into the green tile or even the yellow tiles in the laundry room. I loved all the wood and definitely agree with your fireplace and the rounded shelves assessment. I loved the library and all the wood they used in the interior of the home. I would have liked to have seen more classic looking light fixtures. The outdoor spaces and upgrades were great.
9:18 bookshelves, don’t like the before at all, but I think the ones they did is way too busy for the style of the home. I like the entry way, the pool, and the new staircase. I love all the wood and it is pretty much my dream home. Definitely a mid century vibe. If I could afford it, I would purchase it myself.
I love shades of green and brown. But why are chip and Joanna so averse to other colors? Every room in this house is the same palette. I’d love to see them make bolder choices. Or even thrown in more prints. Skilled designers can mix prints and colors well, and to me this house doesn’t demonstrate a particularly high level of design skill in that regard. It’s a lot easier to design a home when every room has the same colors and no prints.
Love the green headboard and the arches and the reeded glass 😝 (and I have an Interior Design degree). The marble may be man-made quartz (Caesarstone or similar). Agree with you on the light fixtures. I like that they moved the bookshelves – great feature to see as you walk in the room, and they changed the door frame and the shelf continues from the new frame.
One of my biggest pet peeves, in remodels, is seeing the same tile, or wallpaper, or whatever repeated throughout the home. Especially tile. Like, tell me you remodeled the entire house at once without telling me. Personally, I would want my home to feel curated over time. Something that took time and work and love to achieve.
I was so upset perusal the show when they did it. I wish they would’ve kept the glass in the bathroom. It feels like they did it just to sell their own products and that feels gross to me. I think with the right decor and furniture it could be more cozy but I hate the kitchen and bathroom. It feels like you walked into California. I also hate the terrazzo in the entry, too cold and bright. It’s a no for me dog.
Obviously agree with the light fixtures (they seriously need to update their late-10s gold and balls everywhere tendencies). I actually like the terrazzo, although I do agree with the meat of your critique with it. I think the terrazzo in the entryway and the chunky wood on the stairs was giving off a bit too many 80s office vibes, and I think a darker terrazzo would have been more in keeping with the mid-century look and feel of the space. They definitely overdid the arches. You could argue that they were pulling inspiration from the original architecture of the home, but its important not understand more deeply how each architectural motif functions in the context of the rest of the architecture. The arch motif was clearly a lot more standalone, and in any given view, only one arch would have dominated, and their overuse of the arch completely demeans the original intent of the motif in this case. This also does not give lake house as much as it gives lake community office space in many instances. The furniture is too trendy (totally agree with you there) and the finishes I would argue are playing it a bit too safe, including the massive wood panelling, although it is gorgeous. There is no sense of grunge on the interior which is necessary to me in any private home to keep a place from feeling like a workplace that is overly resilient to a more delicate, precious home environment. Overall, though, I thought this home is objectively quite nice and definitely above the standards of many similar houses, so I think you score at the end was a harsh.
Respect how level headed paige stayed while reviewing the house. I got nauseous, green everything, round edges, wood panelling everywhere. I could literally smell the tobacco, cedar, moss inscent through the screen. Too bad, cause I love wood panelling, green and moss inscent but this is like a parody of good taste.
Every person who I think has mid or bad taste thinks Joanna has great taste. Paige, your line of napkins styled with your placemats…the cocoon lamp in your office…even the fabric/paint swatches on display on your office always catches my eye. It’s so good!! When you’ve got it, you’ve got it. This is why no AD home tour guest has ever, not once, said, “I worked with Joanna Gains on my home”
If a lake house is like a beach house. It doesn’t matter if you live there or just go on vacation. There should be a humble style to it. It will get trashed if you live in it right, so go with it. Cozy and comfortable. Wet bathing suits, sand. I live at the beach, if you’re too attached to things you won’t like it… Its more about the experience than the decor. For me lots of art and whimsy works best.
I love the checkboard floor tiling scattered aroung the house. Paige is right, the majority of the lighting fixtures are bad (cheap looking and/or hung too high). I would have liked to see stone on the fireplace, so much room to make a statement there, instead you are looking at a blank wall; they have the money, they should have gone for it. The long skinny doorway and window arches remind me of a church. Did we see a clip of the lake? Is there a lake? Odd also that there is no homage to anything lake-ish…not even an oar.
It’s Spanish mid-century. They decorated it with current trends and mass mid-century items. Which in all fairness were mass produced originally for baby boomers. Definitely better quality than today. It’s missing some of the quirky vibes of a Spanish mid-century home. The stairway while beautiful is too chunky and gives an 80s vibe. I think the use of wood was to give a lake house vibe. But mid-century is about sleekness. See California’s Eichler for windows and courtyards. MN had an architect who did cozier, warmer vibes. Sorry, I forget his name but he loved strawberry cheesecake.😂 It’s missing the charming quirkiness of Spanish mid-century. While it may be rare today. It wasn’t so much when I was growing up. I am getting old.😂
Hey, interesting take. I’m not in the US so I have no idea who these people are, or what “lake house” expectations are, but I really liked most of this place! I’d love to live in it (OK, in my own country of course). Of course I’d put in better light fixtures and get rid of that awful terrazzo floor, but apart from that, I’d be super at home!
Agree with your takes on the fireplace and kitchen – too many areas felt cheap and trendy. Unfortunate because I feel like their brand will sometimes try to emphasize togetherness and family and coziness, but did not feel that in this house (and I think that’s what you were trying to emphasize a lakehouse SHOULD feel like!)
I really like all the wood millwork, adds so much warmth and texture. But other than the wood, it’s too monochrome for my taste. They could have had different types and colors of tile to add more personality. I think a grey slate tile floor would have added more color and a rustic feel to the entry way. I’m sorry, but putting in beige tile is just lazy and shows a lack of imagination. Beige tile is for laundry rooms in AirBNBs. In a house this expensive and with such interesting and unique architecture, enough with the uninteresting subway tile on the walls (on sale at Home Depot?) and trendy lights from Target. But it was going to be flipped and flippers (and real estate stagers) don’t take risks, and actually aim for the bland, colorless, faux luxury hotel vibe. I say this as a person who bought a not cheap house two years ago full of cream walls, beige carpet, beige tile, too much beige everywhere. All the wood millwork was painted white : ( Hoping to make it more fun and interesting before I die.
I would so love a article where you give design suggestions or choices of what you would do with an antiquated property. A 17th century Italian Cascina, for example. How would you decorate or make modern a farmhouse that is centuries old? What would you keep and what would you add? Just an idea for a new article. xo
That frosted glass reminds me the cheapest wardrobe doors from ikea. And that subway tiles on green I expect in tiny house on budget, not $3mill house. Paige, do clear your arch phobia, we had arches in Europe and they are all beautiful, functional, meaningful and practical, also acoustic. I did buy Mcm dresser with arched drawer design and 2 arched mirror above for my Florida studio – antique and I love it – brings me back in time home to Slovakia and our beautiful castles and churches everywhere we had. I understand that bs everywhere with arches I am ditto allergic to all that and lime wash, we used to real lime wash real houses built of bricks and it was prevention from black mold and pests… shame what they done to this… I still think they butcher this beautiful house with cali cookie cutter marry magnolia target for $3mill again – feels like basic metal chain gold plated. I prefer real deal. I love you Paige, thank you for your work.
They did a good job renovating the home. I also think the exterior looks the best. Just something about the interior, it just all looks mass-produced. Nothing unique or something that tells a story. I also agree that the house doesn’t scream lake house, too modern and missing that typical cozy lake vibe.
I like the kitchen in and of itself, and appreciate that it’s not white (so sick of all white kitchens), BUT I agree w/ you that it’s not appropriate for a lake house kitchen. They def shouldn’t have marble countertops & trendy furniture. Eh to the entryway floor but yes to the wood staircase. Overall, it’s a cool design, and a style departure for Joanna, but it’s too trendy, too modern for a lake house.
Years ago I watched House and Home’s “The Lakehouse” (If you care, search Lynda Reeve) and was devastated when she updated her historic summer home from the early 1900’s. And yet, by the end, I liked what she did and I was SO conflicted (I still am). I felt the same with this Lakehouse and you hit the nail on the head with the terrible lighting, odd modern touches and trendy decor. Where is the character? Where are the paperback books on the library shelves and older furniture that has been passed down. It was just too new but maybe whoever buys it will soften it all up?
The front facade has a sort of Craftsman/Prairie feel to it. Traditional Spanish homes had courtyards because none of the rooms connected; they just had doors going in and out. That’s not a library anymore, but a reading room. There are no bookshelves, just racks with book and magazine on display, so not much actual book storage. There are no window treatments. That would waste a lot of energy in the summer. That ribbed round coffee/end table was in three rooms.
I love terrazzo 💗 overall really nice. Love the stair case. The den. And the fireplace. (Love the unexpectedted Adobe firewall in that 80s house.) My hates. The kitchen, primary bedroom with the stupid reading nook..who the hell would crawl in there. And I dream of a real green house. But that ity bity one is a complete waste of money.. ick And paige that curved mirror is dopey…wtf. 😂
I hate every aspect of it, while I do appreciate keeping the bones of the house, it doesn’t look good. I know that I’ll get hate for this, the stairs do not look child friendly (even though I don’t have and don’t want kids) or the house in general. A lake house to me should have that element of coziness for family and friends to gather, but it looks sterile. Not a fan
I only like the main door and the big windows! Not every wall should have a painting on it or some sort of decorative item. I would have kept many of the items the fixtures! Too much brown dark wood! Is it forbidden to use curtains, wallpapers and paints on the walls?! I don’t know 🤷🏻♀️ that build in green sofa😮did they forget that one wants to chill and relax. Yes only the main door is an improvement to what it was made before. Can I ask what do you do with mosquitoes? Love your website ❤😊
I grew up in the fifties and we all hung out in the kitchen – but my mother was a creative who made candles, mosaics, copper pictures, developed black & white photographs, etc. I agree about the marble countertop, and to me, granite would be just as bad. I’ve got friends who live year round in their beautiful lake house. But I agree, it has too many different elements that make it look like different places when it seems right to be a lake house. I think JoAnna relies on the products rather than the creativity – not even intending to – (since they do sell products), but I think anyone can buy products and put them together and make it look like they did something creative, when they didn’t.
I’m sad they replaced the entry glass. Could’ve been such a great feature, especially if they didn’t do that tile wall and with a warmer flooring. Definitely agree that the lighting and a lot of the decor is tacky and looks cheap. Wish everything wasn’t so flimsy looking and that the wood elements had more heaviness. The fireplace could’ve been lovely but they turned it into something very trendy. Love the outside elements, and the rec room was fine, but over all I dislike a lot of the interior and if I had the money to buy this I’d redo half of it again.
I love the house overall. But I see what you’re saying regarding the arches, light fixtures and general modern, trendy vibe. I would have loved to see what you would have done instead with respect to the light fixtures. I’m looking for light fixtures and find myself gravitating towards the ones in the lake house. I feel like I’ve been brainwashed lol. Please do a article on how to pick light fixtures. Thanks! Love love your website ❤
I liked this article. I mostly liked everything, but like you I felt the kitchen was off, and the rounded edges were also kind of off; but I did think the tall skinny arches were fine. There are styles sort of like this in California, sort of Arts and Crafts Spanish meets Beaux Art; this place gives me Julia Morgan vibes. Interesting that it is mid century! It is a beautiful house.
I already do earth breeze and I love not getting the jugs of laundry soap any more! They do clean my laundry just as well. I will say my clothes don’t have that just washed fresh smell and I miss that but it’s worth the trade. I don’t like the rounded corners either! I do like archways for Spanish style homes but not anywhere else. I wish they would have changed the fireplace and then they wouldn’t have felt the need to try so hard to incorporate to other places in the house.
I immediately saw “the light fixtures” and thought — Yuk. I loved the wood, loved the kitchen tile on the floor, not the stark white at the front door. When you said in the mid-west we call a rec-room the basement! I LOL’d. I live in the midwest so yes, true. But it’s cool. I wondered where is the ping pong table or the pool table or the playstation??? Thumbs down on the marble. I agree, this is not the Lake Houses I’ve ever been to. But we are simple folk. Looking forward to seeing your family’s lake house!
Many years ago, I began perusal the very 1st article of their 1st series on TV. I turned it off, not even halfway through, when Chip ate a dead cockroach. He said it was a cockroach & showed Joanna partially chewed bug parts in his mouth. I’ve never watched anything with them since then. I just can’t 🤢
If one likes mid century design, this house renovation is probably appealing. It’s one of my least favorite styles and correspondingly, I dislike most all of it with special disdain for that staircase and those wood panels upstairs in the entry, the kitchen and that headboard and gym sized shower upstairs. I wish more bedrooms utilized built in drawers though. They did themselves a real disservice as well with their cutesy name…it’s not a lake house if the lake is accessed by getting in a car and driving 10 minutes. As others have pointed out, this is likely a full time house for wealthy Waco residents who like mid century modern and don’t mind paying a premium for the Fixer Upper tax.
Hi, I am from Canada and many lake house’s seasonal or not look like this home. Also i have stayed in many lake houses when traveling in the Usa, and they also look like amazing homes close to the lake or right on the lake. I believe we have just moved on from the transitional version of the Lake House. Just another note I have a lake house and it is over 3300 sq feet and many around me are even larger. LOL Love this website and the way you give another perspective.
I really like them as people, but the design trends that have taken hold of America because of their design decisions? god no. People painting all the gorgeous brick makes me shudder. Also, I’ve noticed where I grew up in Ohio they are building many homes with black windows and the “farmhouse” look but with no spindles on the front porches and large wooden beams. It looks unfinished to me? Everything is so trendy.