This week’s clients live in an adorable 100-year-old home right here in Waco that they’ve been slowly renovating for quite some time. To help them finish out the final few rooms of the house, the team and I jumped in to help renovate their primary bathroom and sunroom. My first instinct was to take the existing bathroom and make it a walk-in closet and then transform the sunroom to become their primary bathroom, but very quickly I realized it would be way over budget so I set my sights on what Mini Reni is all about: creative updates in smaller spaces that make a big impact. What I love about this project is the confluence of styles we got to play with. We had this home that already had a ton of character and clients who were looking to incorporate a bit more of their personal style—a little bit more funky and eclectic. So, I knew early on that color was going to play a big role in this transformation as well as unexpected elements you wouldn’t ordinarily expect in an old home. These final spaces turned out to be so creative and fun and very reflective of the people who will use them every day. I hope you enjoy this before + after!
What We Updated: Bathroom
Linen closet: We removed the linen closet to open up the space and expand the vanity.
Tile: We installed glazed terracotta tiles in a cream-and-olive checkered pattern with creamy white grout. Inspiring the color palette for both rooms, we also added a glossy brick backsplash in a warm burgundy hue. This was used as the tub surround, in addition to more cream terracotta tiles on the upper wall.
Vanity: The big-ticket item of this renovation was the vanity. Jo commissioned custom white oak cabinetry from a local carpenter, complete with a concrete vessel sink and upper wooden shelving to give the wall dimension and add more storage. The vanity was finished with a quartz top for a classic look and aged brass hardware to match the plumbing fixtures throughout the space. We wanted the vanity to run wall to wall to increase storage, but there was door trim that prevented going all the way across. So, we got creative with the shape and curved back the vanity sides so they could tuck behind the trim.
Paint: We refreshed the walls and ceiling with Castle Cream Interior Paint in Matte Finish. (From Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines crafted by KILZ.) For the baseboards, doors, and window casing, we applied a high-gloss, custom paint color that matched the burgundy backsplash.
Plumbing: The original tub had lead-based paint, which would have required an expensive remediation to keep. So, we swapped it for a new affordable option that looked similar. We also updated plumbing fixtures with a new toilet, shower rod, and aged brass shower and vanity faucets.
Window: Instead of replacing the whole window, we painted the existing trim and added a stick-on film to the pane to mimic reeded glass for privacy.
Lighting: We centered the space with two burnished brass pendants (same as the ones we installed in the bathroom at our Magnolia headquarters!) and an ivory flush mount.
How We Styled It: Bathroom
Playing off the funky feel the homeowner loves, we accessorized this bathroom with our Arlo Ribbed Glass Soap Dispenser and matching storage canisters. The top shelf is lined with vintage art, plants, perfume bottles, and a brass bud vase filled with faux Magnolia blooms.
To make the shower feel like its own moment, we added a candle and another vase filled with matching faux stems to the ledge.
What We Updated: Sunroom
The floor tile and paint colors from the bathroom carried into this space for consistency. Here’s a look at what else we updated:
Door: We moved the doorway about 8″ left (toward the windows) to open up space in the bathroom for the vanity, then replaced/reframed the door and painted it.
Windows: The original windows were in great shape, so we just painted them the same high-gloss burgundy hue.
Baseboards: We freshened up the original baseboards and added a strip of applied molding above them. This mimics the look of a tall, exaggerative baseboard with off-the-shelf trim. Then, we painted them burgundy for a deeper, more dramatic look.
Lighting: We replaced the original pendant with a three-light brass chandelier.
Shades: Roman shades were installed on the original windows, pairing well with other woven elements throughout the space.
How We Styled It: Sunroom
Before adding furniture, we started with a jute rug to ground the space. (For a similar look, shop our Cooper Natural Rug from Magnolia Home with Joanna Gaines x Loloi.) We centered the main seating area with our August Coffee Table (textured matte white) and a boucle loveseat sofa with the Felix Embroidered Pillow (nutria) and the Townes Silver Fern Velvet Pillow. Two round ottomans upholstered in floral fabric add a charming pattern, surrounded by our Enzo Turned Wood Side Table, Cunningham Plant Stand, and antiqued magazine stand. To brighten the room, we added a pair of our Hayes Wooden Wall Sconces. Last, but not least, a large-scale tapestry ties everything together.
One of Jo’s favorite ways to create a moment for connection is to style two chairs around a small table—like she did in her butler’s pantry. You’ll see that in this space, too, adorned here with more burgundy magnolia blooms, our Lambert Task Lamp (cream) and, of course, a Daybreak Candle to set the scene.
Shop the Room
Shop a curation of pieces featured in and inspired by this two-room renovation:
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
WALL TILE: Temple Brick Glazed Tile in Canela Twist (3x6), Marble Systems | PENDANTS: Sawvel 1 - Light Single Bulb Pendant in Vintage Brass, AllModern | FLUSH MOUNT: Tristan Flush Mount Light in Ivory, Urban Outfitters | TUB: Malibu Broad RH Rectangle Soaking Bathtub in Biscuit (60" x 32" x 21"), Malibu Home | SINK: Manhattan in White, Concretti | FLOOR TILE + TUB SURROUND: Square Cotto Allende in Baja (4x4), Zia Tile | FLOOR TILE: Square Cotto Allende in Creosote (4x4), Zia Tile | MIRROR: Rounded Rectangle Metal Framed Mirror in Aged Brass (30" x 42"), Rejuvenation | COUNTERTOP: Luce Lazula, MetroQuartz | SINK FAUCET: Purist® Wall Mounted Widespread Bathroom Faucet in Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass, Kohler | TUB/SHOWER FAUCET: Purist® Tub and Shower Trim Package in Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass, Kohler | BATHROOM HARDWARE: Ball Cabinet Knob in Aged Brass, Rejuvenation; Corner Solid Shower Curtain Rod in Chrome (72" x 36"), Signature Hardware | SOFA: Gwyneth 68" Boucle Loveseat By Goop, CB2 | CHANDELIER: 3 Light Slitz Curved Dome Style Raw Brass Chandelier Light Fixture, Etsy | CHAIRS: Vintage | OTTOMAN: Manders 25" Round Ottoman (reupholstered in fabric from Etsy), Birch Lane
Before and after photography by Jeff Jones
