Joanna Gaines revealed Tip No. 1, which she learned during the renovation of her farmhouse from the 19th century

Joanna Gaines is known to transform houses into houses and warm them up and download rooms that feel both timelessly and personally. In the cover story of the autumn 2025 edition of Magnolia JournalIt can be expanded to the readers of their latest project in the farmhouse from the late 1800s in order to better absorb family meetings. The renovation combines historical authenticity with modern functions and offers lessons for everyone who wants to expand an older home – and read into more relatives.

Renovation of period perfection: Jo's biggest tip

When it comes to renovating a historical home, Gaines has a clear advice: choose materials and surfaces that feel that they belong at that time.

“Since our house was built at the end of the 19th century, I made sure that our design plans included Trimwork, which corresponded to the rest of the house, soil coverings that were aged rather than up -to -date, and lights, furniture and decor, which looked like something they would find in an old house,” she said.

This approach ensures that additions seamlessly insert into the original architecture. Instead of feeling like a futuristic add-on, the new rooms seem to be as if they were always part of the farmhouse, which preserves their character and at the same time improves functionality.

Design for family meetings

The renovation was inspired by Gaines' wish to create space for their growing family.

“A few years ago, my mother announced that she was ready to organize our annual family meetings and that the torch belonged to mine if I wanted it,” she said. “Of course I said yes. I love to bring people together: putting on the table, creating the menu, and the reward that occurs when the food settles down and everything that is still to be done is to sink into a warm conversation.”

With five children and a vision for holidays and family celebrations that need new additions to large meetings without affecting charm or cohesion in the historic house.

“The most important elements I knew immediately: The room had to be big enough to set a lot of people (even if this meant two dining tables), and because our home was built at the end of the 19th century, I wanted this new room to look like this and would have been there as always,” she adds.

Learned renovation lessons

1. Compliance with the original home. Choose shape and trimming that reflect the time of your house for a seamless look.

2. Select floor coverings that feels aged. Avoid excessively modern surfaces – choose materials that naturally appear worn out or historically precisely.

3. Select time mirror. Luminaires, furniture and decor should feel like they could have belonged to the original home.

4. Planning and planning river. If you add space for meetings, make sure that the room is large enough to accommodate the way your family maintains.

Gaines' renovation approach compensates for the practical needs of modern life with the timeless details of the historical design. By carefully selecting elements that correspond to the original architecture, she ensured that the extended farmhouse feels natural, coherent and inviting. Your attention to detail shows that even when adding to home, the key to achieving a seamless look is the key.

A home for today and tomorrow

This renovation emphasizes how deliberate design can improve family traditions: The extended space enables Gaines to organize great meals, create unforgettable celebrations and to bring them together in a house that feels loyal to their roots – but still the future.

“On this Easter morning, another picture dipped my head,” she recalled her vision for the farmhouse. “A perhaps Somedayes picture of all of us in a room at a long table, maybe two, face to face and shoulder on the shoulder.”

The Magnolia Journal The issue of autumn 2025 will meet the newspaper kiosk on August 15 and can also be bought online at magazines.com. This edition offers readers an enormous overview of how one of the most popular and experienced designer America's historical houses carefully renovated and creates spaces that feel timeless, inviting and built for family life.