STORY BY JOANNA GAINES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA PETROLE
The Rocky Mountains hold years’ worth of memories for our family. After wrapping our most recent season of Fixer Upper, the mountains now hold a cozy getaway we can gather and grow in for years to come.
I’m always saying, “Let your home evolve.” The seasons change, and we ourselves grow, so I can’t help but believe that our homes should be allowed to do the same. For some, it may be as simple as trying a new paint color or changing the purpose of a specific room. For others, it could look like expanding what home means to them. In a surprising and sweet turn of events, our family experienced this when we bought this mountain property nestled in a valley of the Colorado Rockies.
Our farmhouse in Waco will always be home, our first place for everyday life and family gatherings. But over time, Colorado has become its own character in the Gaines family story, thanks to a decade’s worth of spring break ski trips to the mountains. We never seriously considered buying anything in the area until recently, when Chip found this property during a casual, just-for-fun real estate search. With our kids one-by-one heading off to college, Chip and I saw how a space like this could be valuable for the future—to serve as a retreat where, even as things shift and change, our family could gather and connect.
The lot features a main house, two guest cottages, a wraparound deck, and access to a river below—all fitting my dream of having a Hansel and Gretel-style cottage tucked away in the forest. It was clear to us that these 1960s structures were in great shape—we weren’t facing something that was broken or forgotten, like many other projects we’ve renovated over the years.
EXTERIOR: On the outside of the main house, we installed a new door, painted the siding a woodsy green, and cleaned up the landscaping.
LIVING ROOM: To really capitalize on the grandeur of the living room, we added floor-to-ceiling windows to match the existing kitchen windows on the opposite wall, wood paneling, French doors, and the statement fireplace that Chip dreamed of.
READING ROOM: The original galley kitchen felt too small for our family, so I thought this would make a lovely spot for a reading room. We added wall paneling and installed this beautiful reclaimed parquet flooring for a storied look. I chose a custom fabric for the bench for some whimsy and tucked in a small table for puzzles.
Rather, it was the blueprint that stumped us in the beginning: the two bedrooms that didn’t have any closets or bathrooms, the tiny galley kitchen, the giant closets that were larger than other key rooms—just to name a few quirks. It took a slow walk-through and some creative brainstorming before a vision for the space unlocked, one that would maximize flow and best suit our family of seven and our extended family.
For the design, I was largely inspired by our surroundings: the mountains, the woods, the river. I wanted to blend a more rustic lodge feel with delicate, charming details reminiscent of a European cottage, all to create a warm, down-to-earth retreat our family could really sink into. The main house already had stunning original features, like stone, large A-frame windows to let in natural light, and a lot of light oak, so we wanted to highlight and add more of those elements.
ENTRY: I love having a formal entry where we can drop off our skis or bags but still have a warm welcome. I wanted the light oak to really shine, so we did a staggered install on the walls for a more dramatic look.
SITTING ROOM: The sitting room already had beautiful features, like the original brick floor and the stone fireplace. Our only major addition was plastering the walls in a warm gray tone to contrast. This seating area has become one of my favorite little spots in the house.
KITCHEN: To create a gathering space large enough for our family and guests, we converted the original living room into a kitchen. We installed a paneled fridge, a new range and vent hood, double ovens, custom cabinets, and a large dining table that can fit our family and guests. The green tile backsplash plays off the view of the woods outside and contrasts nicely against the light oak.
This renovation came with a learning curve for me and Chip, this being our first out-of-state fixer-upper. We didn’t have the usual conveniences of working with Waco crews we’ve known for years or driving down the road to check in on things. While our Magnolia team continued to plan and make decisions from our home base, we had to find and rely on Colorado locals to execute our vision.
Fortunately, we found an incredible team of people to come alongside us, including a phenomenal general contractor to lead construction, plant specialists who taught me how to landscape in this non-Texas climate, and so many others who lent their time and skills to bring this dream of ours to life. Members of our family also got involved, making the project feel that much more personal. Mikey, my younger sister (and the ultimate Plant Lady), helped me choose indoor plants for styling, and Ella, our oldest daughter, led the way in creating the look and feel of the small guest cottage.
PRIMARY SUITE: We turned what used to be the office into the primary bedroom. The wallpaper and scalloped trim on the paneling add a feminine feel, while the wood beams create a sense of heartiness. We created a primary bath by pushing into the original kitchen and half bath. We installed a double vanity and closets, plus a black soapstone backsplash and brass sconces for character.
STAIR NOOK: Under the stairs, we carved out this sweet little nook as another place for guests to read and rest, which also helps the hallway leading into the den feel larger and more purposeful.
DEN: Because of its size, cozy nature, and French doors leading outside, I knew I wanted to convert what was originally the primary suite downstairs into a den. The middle area for playing games is stocked with a table and a snack and hot cocoa bar for the kids. We installed another fireplace to bookend the space and anchor the larger sitting area.
I think, overall, that was the real gift of this project: watching how our family has already started to make our mark on this place—from early dreaming to renovating to our first stays here. Every design decision was made based on the way we live when we vacation in Colorado, all the rhythms that fill us up and draw us together. It reminded me that you don’t always have to look outside for inspiration. Sometimes it’s found in the near and dear, the very familiar—the way you’re already living and the people who are right there with you.
Our family has already made so many memories in Colorado, and it’s only the beginning now that we have this mountain retreat we’ve come to love. The kids will pile in with their skis and rosy cheeks, our extended family will lounge on the back deck during long weekends, and I bet Crew’s biggest catch yet is waiting for him in the river. As we continue to grow together, I’m sure we’ll see new signs of life here—not just the marks we leave, but the marks this home away from home leaves on us.
ELLA TAKES THE LEAD
In recent years, Ella has expressed interest in design, and Chip thought taking on the small guest cottage would be a perfect first project before she left for college. It was such a sweet, full-circle experience for me: getting to teach her what I’ve learned, but also watching her come into her own style and take the reins. I learned a lot from the way she fearlessly went big in this small space—like her decisions to paint the once all-white box a deep green and to remove the original closets to carve out these archways and little nooks.
SMALL COTTAGE
THE VISION: Ella wanted to make this guest space feel moody and cozy, while still putting her own spin on it with her love of color and pattern. She added café curtains to the kitchen sink and living area for a cottage feel, chose a scalloped-edge backsplash and bold floor tile for the bathroom, and sprinkled delicate patterns and floral motifs throughout to soften the look.
BIG COTTAGE
BATHROOM: The black-and-white tile combo in the large cottage’s bathroom has been a go-to pairing of mine in recent projects, and I love how it looks on the wall. We kept the existing vanity and updated with a new sink, countertop, and hardware to elevate the look.
BEDROOM: The bedroom is such an inviting space with its plaid wallpaper, detailed bed frame, and rich textures.
KITCHEN: For the large cottage’s kitchen, we mostly made cosmetic updates: installing new fixtures and appliances, updating and painting the cabinetry, and adding a sweet backsplash tile to balance out the more masculine feel throughout.
LIVING ROOM: For a focal point in the cottage’s living room, we installed a fireplace similar to the ones in the main house and added windows on each side. I kept our boys in mind while designing this space, so the overall vibe is a little more rustic and hearty but still brightened by a few feminine details, like the gingham-cushioned window seat.
EXTERIOR: To tie together with the main house, we painted the exterior siding of both guest cottages the same green. On the big cottage, we also added hand-hewn beams to the porch and new shutters.
This story has been adapted from the spring 2026 issue of Magnolia Journal. To see the home’s color palette and more, pick up your print copy here or on a newsstand near you. Then, start a subscription for inspiration year-round.
