Take A Tour Inside Fixer Upper Stars Joanna & Chip Gaines' Beautiful Home
If you have a soft spot for the modern farmhouse style popularized on "Fixer Upper", you will love Chip and Joanna Gaines' beautiful home. Located in their hometown of Waco, Texas, their family-friendly abode marks the perfect intersection between rustic and contemporary. Joanna gave TODAY a tour of her and Chip's chic, cozy farmhouse. If Chip and Jonna are known for anything, it's creating a space that feels both homey and chic. In their own home, Joanna explains how she chose certain pieces and how decorating her space has shaped her as a designer.
From their living room to their laundry space, Chip and Joanna's home is filled with unexpected details. Even if you know their signature style inside and out, there may be elements that will take you by surprise. Discover the meticulous design of every room, and explore different ways you can achieve a similar look in your space.
The front porch with thoughtful details
Time and time again, Chip and Joanna Gaines have proven that a well-designed home starts with great curb appeal. The front porch is an often-undervalued part of the home, but Joanna made sure that their front door was adorned with thoughtful touches. She tells TODAY, "I think little things like potted plants, sconces, front door mats – little things that when you walk in just feel intentional."
Joanna's front door is a warm wood double door with glass inserts. If you want to capture the same look, try the Same-Day Stain in Natural Oak from Therma Tru Doors. The cool-toned wood porch also contrasts the warm stain on the door, creating an inviting centerpiece. Her front porch also includes two rocking chairs, large potted plants, and metal lantern-style sconces. You can find similar sconces by Hampton Bay at Home Depot. The creamy white exterior of Joanna and Chip's home allows the cozy details to remain the center of attention.
A humble yet homey entry space
Chip and Joanna's entryway is compact yet stylish. TODAY interviewer Jenna Bush Hager comments, "This isn't a huge space, but you've made do with what you have." Joanna responds: "Some people don't have this carved-out entry space. So, even if that means a table...it doesn't have to be a foyer. It's just the idea that, 'Hey, I can set my keys down.' It's just that nice, warm welcome." Joanna also discusses the intention behind her interior, "I just feel like once you walk in, it's like this – this is going to sound so dorky – it's like a big hug."
A few key elements of her entryway include a wooden bench, a raw wood entryway table, and tons of plants. In addition to the live plants, glass pots full of Pampas grass sit pretty next to her front door. If greenery doesn't thrive in your entry space, dried branches and ornamental grasses are a great alternative to add that earthy touch. To finish the rustic look, Joanna also has a blacksmith-style hook rack, similar to this listing from Etsy.
A meaningful and evocative living space
Being thoughtful about furniture choices and layout is a recurring theme throughout their home. Chip and Joanna have completed countless amazing living room makeovers on "Fixer Upper," but their living room is in its own league. Joanna expands on her living room design: "I didn't have a ton of space to work with, but there's something about that that I love. You've got your couch and a couple of little stools. But, the pieces in here are really special." She showcases several sentimental elements, including a street sign from her honeymoon with Chip.
Joanna is the queen of displaying alternative wall decor. Open shelves are a recurring theme; we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the shiplap walls. Rather than hanging typical paintings or portraits on her living room walls, you can take a cue from Joanna and display meaningful, unconventional pieces. In addition to the New York street sign, she also hung a large, rustic-style clock. You can snag a smaller version of her farmhouse wall clock from Aspire Home Accents. As a bonus, this variation has a shiplap-styled face!
The single, striking statement piece
Although Joanna is known for designing primarily neutral interiors, she chose to add a pop of color with an antique piano in her living space. This is a testament to the power of selecting a single statement piece and not taking your interior too seriously. She explains: "You see, everything is pretty black and white in here; I love the contrast of black and white. But there's something about that piano. There's a playful vibe to that, so I felt like that was a fun thing to incorporate."
Magnolia Green is one of Joanna's favorite nature-inspired accent colors. It's no secret that she loves to use pops of green to offset neutral spaces. By painting a piece of antique furniture, like a piano, in a soft green shade, you can easily add visual interest while maintaining a calming space. Besides a piano, you can create the same effect with a vintage green credenza or sideboard. If you want to recreate the look of Joanna's green piano, you can purchase her signature paint color, Magnolia Green, on her website.
A laundry room you can learn to love
With brick floors and quirky signage, Chip and Joanna's laundry room is unexpected in the best way. Rather than treating it as a utilitarian space, Joanna turned her laundry room into a retreat. It may be the most unlikely phrase we've heard any homeowner utter, but Joanna describes her laundry room as one of her favorite rooms in the house. She exclaims: "What I love about this space is the irony that it's the laundry room, but it's also one of my favorite rooms in the house. This is where I read, this is where I write, this is kind of my space." Jenna Bush Hager describes it as her woman cave. Joanna muses, "If you're going to have to do a chore, why not do it in a room you love?"
Chip and Joanna have completed their fair share of stunning floor designs. Their own laundry room features a gorgeous tile floor. Adding patterned tile can instantly turn a bland room into a stylish space. If you want to capture a similar feel, try these cement tiles from Clé Tile. Joanna also includes a cheeky piece of wall art with vintage-style typography above her laundry area. Adding playful signage to your space can be a great way to create a welcoming atmosphere. Try hanging a similar piece of plaque art like this print from Amazon.
A soft, neutral nursery room
Joanna shares a controversial statement: "I love when nurseries can be pretty neutral and soft. I love antiques. I love a little bit of some modern elements." However, this doesn't mean the nursery lacks character and personalization. Joanna expands, "I think the biggest thing is his book wall with a ton of books from family and friends." It's key to add bits and bobs that represent those who matter most in your little one's life. Based on Joanna's playbook, the goal is to surround them with love.
A mid-century-style rocking chair is one of the timeless pieces Joanna chose for her baby's nursery. She has a knack for mixing other styles with her signature farmhouse aesthetic to avoid an overwhelming theme. You can find a very similar chair on Wayfair. A black crib is another daring element that adds a touch of modernism to the cozy space. Pottery Barn offers a 3-1 convertible version with a dark yet detailed frame.
A clean, countryside kitchen
It's no surprise that Chip and Joanna's signature modern farmhouse style is exemplified in their kitchen. With white subway tiles, recessed cabinetry, and a black and white color scheme, this room looks like a classic "Fixer Upper" renovation. The concrete countertops offer a heavily contemporary touch to this largely minimal space. Joanna's favorite piece is the antique island, which she had her eye on for several years before finally making the purchase.
According to Joanna Gaines, a backsplash is key to adding character and completing the look of your kitchen. The style you select will set the tone for your entire cooking space. If you love the look of subway tiles but want to add a modern twist, vertical tile backsplashes are a contemporary alternative to consider. While the concrete countertops in Chip and Joanna's home certainly look striking, there are some cons to this material that homeowners should be aware of. For example, they are prone to chip and stain – especially if they have not been professionally sealed.
A perfectly imperfect approach to design
To summarize her design approach for her family home, Joanna concludes: "I hope they see and feel the intentionality behind all these spaces. This wasn't about putting stuff on the walls and making everything feel pretty and nice. It was really about trying to create this space where you're thriving, where you feel at home." She also discusses mistakes she made early on and how the lessons she learned shaped her current interior: "Early on in my career, I had it wrong. I was trying to create these perfect spaces for my clients, but then even perfect spaces for me and my home. Then I realized really quick, you can't live in that that's not real life."
You can apply this philosophy to your own space by determining what kinds of items bring you joy. While adhering to a style may seem necessary for visual cohesion, it's evident when a home appears too curated. Consider features like open shelving to display your precious knick-knacks or a gallery wall of meaningful moments. Trends come and go, but personalized decor will always have a place in homes. Paint an accent wall in a color that makes you smile, and don't be afraid to try a DIY project every now and then.