It’s Mini Reni—take two! You might remember earlier this year I shared that I wanted to do a few spontaneous and quick home renovation projects, highlighting simple additions that make a big impact. I got the team together and we tackled our first “Mini Reni.” Well, it was so fun we decided to do another one! (We even filmed the transformation for Magnolia Network, so you can stream Mini Reni anytime.)
This time, we flipped an entirely different space, but played by the same rules:
- No Demo Day required
- Materials had to be available locally or shipped in less than a week
- Creative, cosmetic upgrades only (think paint, tile, and molding)
- Have fun with furniture and vintage pieces from Magnolia Market
We gave ourselves one week to tackle three rooms—Living, Dining, and a Breakfast Nook. The homeowner wanted us to infuse more pattern and color into these spaces, so we kept that top of mind while also focusing on architectural additions that would highlight the existing character of this charming 1930’s home.
The space already had a lot of character. So, when we did our initial walk-through, I went in with the mindset of finding some of those original, era-authentic details that we could build on. Things like existing molding, original built-ins, and trim detail. I’m a firm believer that every home has that special something—and good design isn’t necessarily a matter of starting over, but finding ways to tell more of that unique story.
With this project, I was drawn to an original built-in that was tucked in the corner of the dining room. It featured a simple scalloped detail that I thought was really interesting, so we let that be our north star of the project, mirroring that shape elsewhere in the home. I also wanted to make it a focal point in the dining room, so we painted in the same dusty blue hue as the ceiling and trim to help draw your eye to it. From there, we layered in color and other design elements that would play up the whimsy, artful, and storied look the homeowner wanted in a color palette we knew she’d love.
This project was another great reminder that you don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to transform the look and feel of a space. Sometimes, all you need is a stroke of inspiration and a few days to make your house feel a little more like home. You can check out all the details of how we transformed these rooms and more before + afters in the links below. My hope is that they’ll leave you feeling inspired and equipped to get creative in your own home. Look for that something special and see what doors it opens.
— Joanna
Breakfast Nook: Before + After
Dining Room: Before + After
Living Room: Before + After
To see this renovation come to life, watch Mini Reni on Magnolia Network. Click here to shop pieces featured in and inspired by the home.
