Joanna Gaines took a bland office space ‘lacking character and story’ and gave it a new lease of life with charming features and an uplifting color palette
Joanna Gaines’ final Mini Reni episode was one of the most dramatic overhauls of the series. Taking a bland office that lacked soul and personality, Joanna transformed the modern unit into an uplifting work space that’s filled with character and charm.
In the last episode of Joanna Gaines’ Mini Reni series, the designer was tasked with reimagining a rather sad office space for her friend, and TV presenter, Hoda Kotb’s new business. Given a brief of ‘light, bright and white’, Joanna created a refreshing work environment that uplifts and inspires its occupants.
The designer went heavy on the characterful features, adding character to a room that had none by introducing reclaimed tin on the ceiling, plenty of molding and trimwork, and several pairs of antique doors that all work together to give the space a sense of age and enduring sophistication.
Before
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Joanna starts by showing us around the entrance to the office. It was once a dull box that lacked light and character, but in true Joanna fashion, she saw past the bland four walls and created a welcoming waiting area that’s the perfect greeting for colleagues and guests.
‘I want to show you this main space,’ she explains in an Instagram video. ‘The first moment we walked in, it was white, gray carpet, black rubber molding, and now you walk in and hopefully feel this sense of home and this soft landing. I wanted to put her favorite phrase up on the wall.’
Moving into the main space, Joanna has added character with artisanal antique doors, which give the newly built space a sense of age. They also connect each room and allow plenty of light (something the space once lacked) to filter through.
‘Hoda needed four offices total, and we got these beautiful doors from Portugal,’ continues Joanna. ‘They are these beautiful antique doors, look at the transoms. I knew I wanted to put them in the space because the space was lacking character and story, so I just love that these now really anchor the space.’
After
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To give the space even more depth and intricacy, Joanna added bespoke ceiling paneling that frames and connects each room. She sourced reclaimed ceiling tin tiles and covered the fifth wall in them, balancing out the minimal, neutral color scheme with ornate pattern and texture that elegantly accentuates. The ceiling gives the office some much-needed grandeur, giving it a crucial sense of age and history.
Similar feature details have been used in the conference room alongside ceiling trim ideas. Joanna says, ‘We added all the crown molding in here to add more of that personality and character in the space. We also added a cork wall for the inspiration to start.’
The characterful details continue in Hoda’s office. Joanna says, ‘In here, we wanted a really dramatic light fixture. Again, you see trim on the walls, the ceiling tiles, the new flooring, and then little special touches. She’s got handprints of her two girls and a shadowbox so when she’s sitting at her desk, she can see these two things that mean the most to her, joy and hope.’
The white color scheme works beautifully with the pops of luscious green that Joanna has scattered throughout. In honor of Hoda’s business, Joanna created a feature wall made of plants, explaining, ‘One of the first things Hoda told me was she is re-potting. This just felt like an intentional moment for her and her team, where all the beautiful work that they’re doing, I hope they remember why they’re doing it. That growth is always a good thing.’
Shop the look
This plush swivel chair feels contemporary but midcentury-inspired. It will sit happily in any style of office and bring a refreshing edge that doesn’t dominate.
You’ll notice a pair of these boucle stools in the office. They bring a sense of comfort but also coolness, a combination that can make even the most mundane spaces feel well-designed.
Mora Nesting End Table (Small)
Joanna features these marble-style nesting tables in the office to give the room some playfulness. They’re also a handy addition to use for holding trinkets and go-to pieces.
Scalloped Marble Accent Bowl – Small
This detailed marble bowl is the perfect desk accessory that provides elegance and sophistication in an understated way. For a more dramatic look, try hanging it on a wall with larger pieces for a statement.
Your Story Brass Display Cabinet – Small
Joanna creates a shadowbox for Hoda using the Your Story Display Cabinet. It’s the perfect way to create sentimentality, simply fill it with things you love to tell your story.
Carlisle Taupe Ivory Rug – 2′-3″ X 3′-10″
You’ll notice an array of patterned rugs in Hoda’s office, like this Carlisle style woven in a detailed floral pattern. It’s the perfect way to introduce print calmly without dominating.
Joanna entirely transformed Hoda’s office space and created a deeply inspiring, characterful working environment that’s bound to motivate its occupants. The rich architectural details give the space enduring elegance and age that is perfectly balanced by the contemporary furniture and refreshing color palette.
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