This Mini Reni happens to be a playroom for a longtime friend and designer on my team. Wanting to give her three kids a creative space indoors, we decided to transform an existing guest room into a magical hideout. I absolutely love how this space turned out. There are so many layers of story and detail within this tiny room that you could discover something new every time you step inside. Even though we created this space for her kids, I hope it’s a room that inspires the whole family to savor the magic of childlike wonder for years to come.
What We Updated
Repurposed entry: We closed off the original doorway and created a custom secret door, disguised as a bookcase on both sides of the wall. This arched door, flanked by corresponding shelves, served as the inspiration for the rest of the space.
Paint: The ceiling, trim, door, and cabinets were all painted the same color for a cohesive look, Sherwin-Williams Jute Brown in Satin Finish. A simple paint refresh helped highlight the original beauty of the arched trimwork, molding, and planked ceiling while staying within budget.
Built-in bench seat: Perhaps the most unique part of the reno is the bench seat. This wooden seat was built into the original bay window and includes pull-out drawers and scalloped detailing underneath. The homeowners’ children love performing, so the team added a large cushion that can be easily removed—converting the seat to a stage. To lean into the theatre feel, we added light blue velvet curtains across a brass rod—perfect for putting on a play!
Lighting: A large brass chandelier was installed to center the space, and an amber glass flush mount ceiling was added just over the stage for a charming hint of color.
Window trim + shades: White oak trim was installed around the bay window to protect the wallpaper edges. This, paired with new Roman shades, added tonal texture and dimension to the original frames.
Wallpaper: A whimsical riverscape wallpaper was added to most walls in the space, including part of the ceiling. During the process, we found out that this particular print is actually a restoration of one of C. F. A. Voysey’s—a well-known architect and designer—most elaborate patterns.
Interactive wall: To help foster creativity and curiosity, we added a wooden interactive wall—complete with colored pegs for pattern-making and rocks for climbing. A scalloped picture rail was added along the top, a sweet detail seen throughout the space.
Cabinetry: Arched cabinets were added to the other side of the room, mirroring the secret entry across. This custom-made unit provides closed storage to tuck away collected treasures and leads into a small toy room off the main space. New cabinet hardware was also added, mimicking woodland shapes—like snails and mushrooms—as a playful surprise.
Toy room: The former closet was converted into a storage room of wooden cubbies. We chose a light-blue, vertical-striped wallpaper to help elongate the small nook and installed more scalloped picture rail where the wall and ceiling meet.
How We Styled It
The double-sided bookcase door leading into the space is decorated with books, vintage-inspired art, and bud vases, sided by our Lavinia Turned Leg Stool (tall and short). Inside, the room is centered with a scalloped jute rug and kid-sized table, surrounded by miniature chairs with a woven, bow-like backing.
Along the interactive wall, we incorporated elements to spark curiosity and all-day play—like colored pegs, a roll of paper, stone climbing wall, and open shelving stacked with books and craft supplies. Leafy plants in terracotta pots lend a natural feel to the space—furthering the woodland inspiration. The surrounding shelves serve as catchalls for treasures like books, more plants, plush animals, and toys to inspire wonder. (See if you can spot all three of Jo’s children’s books!)
The cushioned bench, which doubles as a play stage, is topped with a few pillows—Leslie, Penelope, Rosalie, and Liv. (From Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi.) The seat is upholstered in a blue houndstooth fabric and tufting buttons for a pop of pattern and color, pairing back to blues in the wallpaper.
Off the main space, the toy room is filled with 12 wooden cubbies and scalloped baskets, making it easy to store clutter after a day of exploration. The cabinet is topped with an antique-brass tray, a pretend tea set, and our Olivia Table Lamp with a scalloped linen shade. Vintage-inspired botanical art hangs on the adjacent wall to keep the woodsy feel consistent throughout.
Shop the Room
Discover pieces used in and inspired by this wonder-filled playroom:
JO’S TIPS FOR DESIGNING KIDS’ SPACE
Read these tips, plus more of Jo's thoughts on this playroom reno, in our summer issue of Magnolia Journal.
To see Jo bring her latest renovations to life, watch new episodes of Mini Reni every Wednesday at 8p/7c on Magnolia Network and Max.
MORE DESIGN SOURCES
WALLPAPER: The River Wallpaper in Meadow, Voysey Wallpapers; Farrow & Ball Closet Stripe Wallpaper in Lulworth Blue No. St360, Anthropologie | RUG: Venus Jute Rug, Revival | HARDWARE: Brass Wild Mushroom Knobs + Brass Golden Snail Knobs, Etsy; 3" Curved Pull in Cream by Cal Crystal, My Knobs; Patton Drawer Pull in Aged Brass, Rejuvenation | STUFFED ANIMALS: Henry the Whale; Otto the Duck; Piper the Mushroom; Parker the Snail, Nestig | FURNITURE: Kamila Square Storage Ottoman, Lulu and Georgia; Bow Rattan Kids Chair, Cailini Coastal | LIGHTING: Julius Chandelier, Lulu and Georgia; Bauhaus Glass Ceiling Light French Medieval Water Ripple Aisle Lamp, Babodecor | FABRIC: Carole Velvet in Ahead of the Game Dream Blue, Budget Blinds; Bench Seat Fabric in Kravet Basics - 35778-51, Kravet | ROCKS: 15 Bolt-On Rock Climbing Hand Holds, Etsy
