They say that kids always come first. Sure, it’s true. So, when your little boy has a big boy request, you honor it. And then capitalize on the moment for yourself. Joanna Gaines has dazzled home renovation and design fans for more than a decade. Now, on Mini Reni, Joanna is tackling smaller projects that help viewers understand how, when your story and family evolves, it means making the spaces in your home work for you.
On the new Magnolia series, Joanna has the freedom to experiment. She has the space to play in new spaces and recreate homes to better suit the needs of their owners. When her son Crew announced he was ready to move into the “big boy” room, Joanna decided to take his old room and reconfigure it into something that might work better for her: the butler pantry of her dreams. Joanna has reminded mothers out there that the blueprint for happiness might include something special for yourself.
Why Joanna Transformed Her Son’s Room
Now that Joanna’s son, Drake, is off to college, Crew requested to bunk with his brother, Duke. With his bedroom now vacant, it gave Joanna the chance to do a mini reni of the now unused space. She had dreamed of creating a butler’s pantry as an extension of her chef’s kitchen in order to have more space to cook while entertaining. Creating a custom hutch, a sink, an antique island, and a breakfast nook, Joanna fulfilled her dream while giving her son what he dreamed of as well. The final product was truly remarkable. You’d never even know that a bedroom sat their before. She extended the green cabinetry and tongue and groove walls into the space. The tilework is breathtaking. As she said, the design elements were her whole farmhouse in one room.
As difficult as it was to lose a room filled with memories, it was essential for Joanna to remind viewers that evolution is important. What was once the family room turned Crew’s nursery and bedroom, there were certainly emotions attached. But now, as her son grows and the family will eventually grow, with her older kids bringing home partners eventually, it was important to change the space. In the end, it benefited all.
Now, before you go gutting your child’s room in order to put your own butler’s pantry, you have to ask yourself, if Joanna has it, do I really need it? The butler pantry is a unique transitional space that is often used as a preparation, staging, and cleaning station. Sometimes known as a scullery, it’s become a major trend for home reno fans, but it’s not for everyone. What viewers of Mini Reni should learn and understand is that it’s not about replicating Joanna’s work; it’s about understanding how to evolve your space and make it work for you. Perhaps you don’t entertain or have five kids like Joanna, so a butler pantry isn’t a priority. Take that underutilized space and make your own magic happen. Joanna’s blueprint is simply an idea. A starting point.
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How Joanna Gaines Continues To Evolve
Since Joanna and Chip Gaines departed HGTV and launched Magnolia Network, the couple has had the unique opportunity to explore new formats and series for themselves and burgeoning personalities. There have been a handful of Fixer Upper spinoffs, including Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse and Fixer Upper: The Hotel, that have kept her Fixer Upper fans satisfied since they’ve been without it for years. She created a down-to-earth cooking show called Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines. She’s produced competition and reality shows for the network, including Roller Jam, Second Chance Stage, and the upcoming Back to the Frontier.
She continues to evolve and it keeps on working. Joanna Gaines has become a beacon of inspiration. Yes, she launched the modern farmhouse-chic trend that everybody has attempted to emulate, but more importantly, she’s given home designers a palette to paint with. The inspiration she has provided over the years has made her a top-tier interior design influencer.
