Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines

Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

 

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

This is one of those tours where the homeowner didn’t contact me; her super-talented photographer friend did, describing Joanna Gaines’ home in Waco, Texas as kid-friendly and fabulous even with four little ones running around it all day and all night! The black, white, and sandy shades are softly stunning together, aren’t they? And I love how she has incorporated lots of open, clutter-free spaces for chasing games, and more than enough soft corners upon which to land. That’s really all a kid needs to have fun, don’t you think? Well, that…and a few chalkboards! Please enjoy the Gaines’ home tour.

Q: Who’s lucky enough to live in this home?

A: Me, my husband Chip, and my four sweet children: Drake (6), Ella Rose (5), Duke (3), and Emmie Kay (2).

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

Q: You clearly have a talent for design and collecting distinctive pieces. Will you give us your back story?

A: Well, I used to own a shop called Magnolia. I started it when we first got married and kept it for a few years. To be honest, I missed out on a lot of my oldest son’s first year because of the shop. So when I found out I was pregnant with my second child, I decided to shut down the shop and stay home with my kids. I still longed to do design because it serves as such an outlet for me. My husband and I have renovated homes together since we got married, so we decided to start Magnolia Homes. Chip manages the construction side, and I do all the design work. We love giving homes their stories back. Some of the homes we have done I could honestly say most people would have bulldozed! Our passion is to breathe new life into them.

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

One thing was still missing, though; I missed my customers from the shop. So I decided to have Magnolia Home shows in my home three times a year. I set up four rooms in my house with one-of-a-kind finds and unique inventory I’ve gathered over the past year. At every show there will always be old architecture, great greenery, and unique pieces. Every now and then I come across a piece that I know I won’t ever find again and I keep it for myself! My kids are unbelievably great at not even noticing that the house has been turned upside-down. They leave it all alone. I have the show in my home on a Thursday; we clear everything out in one day, and I get a chance to catch up with the ladies who inspire me to do what I do. I love my job because whether it is remodeling or the home shows, I can do it all from home!

Q: Tell us the history of your home.

A: We recently moved into this new home we bought to flip as an investment property. This house was a foreclosure that had sat vacant for three years. I was actually upset with my husband for buying it because it was ugly. We renovated the house in three months and put it back on the market. We had a buyer for our present home and we had to find a new home in less than a week. And yes, you guessed it, we moved into the flip house. It was the only option.

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom
Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom
Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

I love how sometimes a change must occur so that new perspective may come. I never realized until we moved that I had decorated my old house more like a museum full of “don’t touch” objects than a kid-friendly environment where my kids could be kids. As we were moving in the new home, I saw my kids running all around and it inspired me to make this their home. I love this home we are currently in. Not for the same reasons that typically draw my eye to a home, but because my kids love it. They thrive here, and honestly, that makes Mama happy! The house is so open, with so many spaces in which to run! It is one-story, so we are all on the same floor which makes the kids happy. One of my favorite parts of this home is the side yard that has our garden, the chicken coop, and an outdoor space for my children. It’s like a little surprise when you step outside.

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom
Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

Q: How would you describe your design and decorating aesthetic? Did this change when your kids entered the mix?

A: I love clean and simple. I love white. I like to use different textures and dimensional items to add interest. I believe that every house needs a good blend of old and new pieces. I typically don’t use expected things like draperies; I prefer to use outdoor awnings for my windows inside. I like to use architecture on walls. I love to inspire women to use common things in uncommon ways.

My dream house would be all-white furniture and painted white floors…but I have four kids! I have the white furniture but purchased the white IKEA sofas and chairs with slip-covers. The other day, my two-year old took a pen to one of my over-stuffed chairs, and marked all over it. I didn’t freak out because a new slipcover is $35.

Yes, my design style has changed; kids added color to my life and to my home! In my last home, my kids adapted to my style. In this home, I’ve adapted to theirs.

Q: Does your home always look the way it does in the photos? What would we see on an average afternoon after the kids get home from school?

A: I had to get over the idea of perfect, clean, and dust-free. I noticed myself picking up after my kids the entire day. I was constantly cleaning so my house would look perfect and in order. I finally realized I was missing out on so many moments with the kids because I was concerned with something as irrelevant as clean counter-tops! I now make it a rule for myself to not waste my day cleaning because we all know it will get messy again. I can start clean up at 7 pm. I do like to go to bed and wake up with a clean house!

Q: What’s your basic philosophy on living with kids? Is their mark apparent in every room, or are there some that are completely adult-oriented?

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom
Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

A: My philosophy is to embrace where you are and the season you are in. If you have children, create child-proof, inspiring spaces where they will thrive. It took this recent move to help me realize that I have to be intentional with whatever space I am given. Creating an environment of fun, creativity, and order does not just come naturally. I had to work at it and become a student of my children. I had to get into their minds and figure out what they loved and what inspired them. I had to make a choice to let go of some of the things I love as well as my expectations of what a pretty home should be.

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom
Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

I have a small living and dining area that are adult-oriented, and then my bedroom. We do use the space in my room for wrestling matches, though! My kitchen is my room, and serves as my main workplace. It’s my favorite part of the house, but I still have baskets in the island full of toys so they can hang out with me when I cook.

Q: You love chalkboards! What is it about them that make them such a fun design element?

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

A: I have a mini obsession with chalkboards. I think chalkboards are great for children. We use our big chalkboard for homework time and for fun time as well, although Pictionary with a three-year old is an eternal guessing game!  I encourage clients to paint a section on their wall with chalkboard paint and trim it out if they have the extra space. Kids love coloring on the walls, so why not let them? Chalkboards are also a great tool for personalizing your space; for instance, if there is a family verse or mission statement, a chalkboard is a great tool for this.

You can almost always bet that fun junk stores and unique shops will have chalkboards.

Q: Your kids’ rooms are delightful! A windmill, a swing hanging from the ceiling holding a birdcage, decorative mantles…love it all! What are their favorite elements in their rooms?

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom
Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

A: My girls are little princesses. I would say the $25 Home Depot chandelier is their favorite. My boys love hunting, so their favorite is their trophy wall of animals, and also the squirrel mounted to their wall. I never thought I would have a rodent in my house. Times have changed…

Q: How much influence do the kids and your husband have on the decor of the house?

A: My husband is very creative, so he is part of the design process a lot of the time. He also is very helpful at hanging things that aren’t typical objects to hang, like a heavy iron gate and branches on our walls. My kids influence me to keep things simple, practical, and fun.

Q: What if one of your kids came to you and requested a hot pink room with — gasp! — Littlest Pet Shop appliques on the wall?

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom
Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

A: I always joke that for some reason, purple is my least favorite color, and I swear my girls are going to ask for a bright purple room one day! This one is hard for me because I really want my children to express who they are, but I also think they need direction since their likes and dislikes change so often as kids. I like for the design of our home to flow, so for the most part I design their room and then allow them the freedom to add to it.  So far it has worked and my kids like what I come up with. Now, when they are teenagers and have an opinion, I am sure all this will change!

As far as the appliques, I would have to say save them for the closet or behind the door, or limit it to a decorative board they can personalize that you can hang on their wall. Let them have what they like, but don’t let it be the entire theme of their room because we all know it will change in a month. I remember I loved kittens and cats one day, and the next week I was into sailboats.

Q: What is your best advice for people building a house and decorating it within budget?

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

A: Be creative and enjoy the hunt. Use antique light fixtures you can get for $30 at a junk store. Also, so many major stores like Lowes have great products at very affordable pricing. There are also a lot of sources on the internet that copy certain styles from big names but at discounted pricing. One thing I always like to keep in mind is adding character to your home, even in the building process. Old architecture, corbels, and old doors are always fun to incorporate in a new home. Just remember to use quality where it counts like kitchens and bathrooms, or you will pay later!

Q: When does your home work best?

A: This home is great for entertaining because of its open space, but also great for lots of kids because of the large bedrooms and play rooms. There isn’t any wasted space, and this house is very functional and practical for our needs. It is a great house for living, and I really love our home most for this reason. In this season of our life with four fun kiddos, it fits us perfectly!

Joanna Gaines Original Home Tour - Fixer Upper - Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines featured by popular lifestyle blogger, Design Mom

One more thing! I like to encourage women to always remember that their home is a reflection of their hearts and of their families, not a magazine or like someone else’s lifestyle. Keep it true to who you are. It’s important you love your home and that your children are inspired by it. I learned in our recent move that it’s not about the curb appeal or amenities…it’s about the spaces you create and who you create them for.  Have fun with it, and go draw on the walls with your kids!

—-

I can honestly say that I’ve never seen a windmill used inside as decor, but it makes me happy to know that some lucky kids are waking up to one every morning! Thank you, Joanna Gaines, for sharing your style with us.

P.S. — Find Chip & Joanna’s book here. And hey, if you’d like to share your home with us in my Living With Kids series, drop me a note. Maybe HGTV will discover you next!

160 thoughts on “Living With Kids: Joanna Gaines”

  1. I love the show Fixer Upper. And I was looking through the pics of your house and they are beautiful. I love the way everything is laid out. Absolutely beautiful. And looking at the comments from others, I gues I was not the only one who wondered what nationality you are. Joanna, you are a beautiful lady and we have fallen in love with your family and you. Keep up the good work!!!

  2. you have the most amazing taste ! Everything you do is just gorgeous!! I wish you could come decorate for me. We have the same taste but I don’t have your talent. I love your sweet family and your show. Thanks for sharing pictures of your home.
    Cookie Taylor

  3. Hayley Rachavong

    Hi Joanna! Your talent amazes me and the way you and Chip work together is wonderful. I love, love the show and have even gotten my husband to watch it with me. We are building a new home and I recently was emailing my husband some ideas I had for a couple rooms in our house and I told him it was thanks to Fixer Upper. His reply was, “thanks JoJo!” It just cracked me up. Anyways, we love all the floating shelves you do and would love for you to email me some info about where to buy, install, etc. Hope to hear from you!
    Thanks!
    Hayley

  4. I absolutely love your show. I love your design style of easy going, real life functionality living comfort. I also love the family values you are instilling on today’s t.v., there is just not a lot of that going around any more. you are a great inspiration to myself and many people around the world. I hope to instill your style in my life. Do you go outside the Waco area such as Oklahoma where we live?

  5. Heather Naffziger

    Can you tell me where I can get laminate floor that looks like wood? What is color and cost? Manufacturer?

  6. For those of you interested in Jo’s nationality…read her blog! She discusses it on page 71, uncategorized. She even has a pic of her parents. You can learn a lot about her on the pages of her blog. She is truly inspiring! Read it!

  7. Marlene sellers

    Your series is the best on TV, I look forward to watching the episodes & how you include your beautiful children . I feel everything you do is absolutely wonderful but I really think you should come out with a design book .

  8. I Love the clean white farmhouse charm JoJo brings when she designs. I love the show , it is my favorite HGTV series and can’t get enough of their shows. Chip and JoAnna are adorable together and such a talented team, makes me want to move to Waco!

  9. I love your show and am so glad to see such a clean loving family. Joanna you are so talented and very pretty , I think all of America would love to know what your nationally is. Can’t wait to watch your show each week. Keep up the great work.

  10. I so love your show- I am forever saying can we move to WACo- I just want you to do me a house- My best friend and I have decided if we move there we would be your new bestfriend- laughing- someone recently called my house a gift store
    I loved so many things i love the black beds- I do allot with spray paint in black flat- I also use the was shoe polish for a top coat on furniture- is there some place where i can send you pictures? I love your animals as well that is how i raised my kids as well- cows-rabbits-horses-dogs and cats Please never stop and I know your clients become family so if I move to WACO i will find you and Chip to do us a house!
    Blessings

  11. I also do chalk boards I find old frames that are real ornate at Goodwill and use melamine board and glue it into the back of the frame

  12. Love ..love.. love.. your show…I even watch the reruns with enthusiasm….You all a down to earth family …..Your calm manor with each other is a gift…your kids will benefit from this nature…they are blest to have you two as parents…Keep up the flips ….

  13. Darla Garrison

    Joanna,
    You inspire the world, you do! Such a gifted and talented creative person you are. I would really like to spend a week with you on one of your work sites. I am willing to clean up and do odd jobs for you. I am serious. My vacation time is coming up in May. Please consider my request. I would pay my own way.
    Very Serious,
    Darla Garrison

  14. Like many others, I love what you and Chip do to rescue homes that may have been torn down. What I also love is the way you two relate to each other, as well as your children. It is clear that you two adore each other as well as your children and it is heartwarming to watch. I told my granddaughter, when we were watching your recent episode, that you two model what a loving married couple should look like. She needed to see that.

  15. Who watches your children while you work. Love your program and see you telling your kids goodbye never who they are staying with.

  16. Lenie Kowall, Victoria B C

    Wow, my new favourite show. Just love your family, and your sense of style.I too love whites and textures, it does my heart good to see how you and Chip work together, and have so much fun in the process.

  17. Just discovered your television showed. You are an amazing talent. I can’t stop watching or viewing your websites. You a and your family are an inspiration. I will keep praying to win the lotto so I can hire you to create my dream home. Keep following your dream and thank you for sharing. You are the best designer I have ever seen.

  18. I love all your shows Everything you do is so beautiful and charming. I’m 76 and don’t have many ideas anymore. We sold our 29 hundred square foot house moved to another state near our son have no idea how to fix a small cottage. Help you are the best thing that has happened to hgtv since Candice love you guys.

  19. Hi, Joanna. I love everything about your show…the way you and your hubby work together, how you include your family, and, of course, your great taste in design! I read your answers above and was curious about the soft grayish green (or blue?) that you use quite often in your episodes on main living and dining walls. Can you share the color and brand, please?

  20. Can you tell me what type of flooring is in the house. Is it wood,laminate, kinecto? And what is the color?

    absolutely love your style!!

    Lisa

  21. Dear Joanna and Chip. I am such a fan of yours. I so adore your ideas and designs. Simple and clean. For me, your TV show BEST in the entire HGTV shows.

    MARICRIS P.
    Fargo, North Dakota

  22. I love your show. I sure enjoyed watching it. I think you are absolutely beautiful. What make up do you use?

  23. Joanna when you decorate a home on your show do the people that buy the home keep the decorations that you put in the house or do you take them out or do they have the option to buy them?You an Chip have a great show.Keep up the great job.

  24. Elizabeth Hustad

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE the YUM letters on the wall. Is this available through the Magnolia Store? I do not see it on there but praying there could possibly be info on where to find this. I want exactly what is displayed on her wall. Just love this show!

  25. Hello!! I was looking at your post and I love your floors!! We actually have the same floor in our home but we wanted to extend it to our dining room but CANNOT find it anywhere! Where can I find this flooring?! I would really appreciate finding out! It would be a huge help ☺️

    Thank you!!
    Cindy and Ruben Romero

  26. sandi squeglia

    Joanna, I am a little confused :) just looked through this blog at the beautiful pictures of your home but It is not the same home that is on your show? I thought you and chip redid a big old farmhouse and lived on a big old farm? these pictures do not look like the house on your show!!

  27. Also love your show…but mostly I really like and enjoy you and Chip. Love that you include your 4 children in the show, your farmhouse and just who you two are..Fun and funny, that is Chip. You are so pretty joanna wondering if you have American Indian in you.
    Laughed so hard when chip found the wig in the antique shop and sat at the organ..” I feel like a church lady” says he. LOL LOL

  28. Gorgeous home! I’m obsessed with the floor and can’t find a way to contact you besides here. I’ve entered my e-mail, if you could get back to me with information how to order I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much!

  29. Love all the heart and soul that has gone into your home.
    It”s Stunning!
    I have so much trouble trying to decide paint colors in small rooms and working with what I have so I go on your website to help inspire me.
    Flooring is another hard decision when you have pets. Carpet veres hardwood or laminate in upstairs guest rooms that are small to work with.
    Any advice from you Joanna would be much appreciated.

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