If anyone knows renovating, it’s Joanna Gaines. As one half of the beloved HGTV show Fixer Upper [http://www.hgtv.com/shows/fixer-upper], which she hosts with her husband Chip, Gaines has made a name for herself by taking the worst houses in the best neighborhoods and giving them foundation-to-roof overhauls. The success of Fixer Upper and the Gaineses’ company, Magnolia Home , may have led to a furniture line, a collaboration with Loloi Rugs, and more, but the couple’s base remains in renovating. AD caught up with Joanna to ask her for a few tricks of the trade, from improving curb appeal and choosing a home’s layout and design scheme to decorating with antiques. Read on for her expert tips.
Where do you encourage clients to look for inspiration? “When we’re in the beginning stages of discussing the client’s style and what design elements they want to incorporate, I always tell them to build an inspiration board on Pinterest to get a feel for what they want in their space,” Gaines explains. “Both Pinterest and Houzz are great starting places when searching for inspiration and nailing down your style.”
How do you create the optimal layout for a home? “I think about the family and their unique needs,” says Gaines. “Having young children lends itself to adopting more of an open floor plan. If you’re an empty nester, you may want to transform a spare bedroom into a workout room or an office. It all depends on your season of life—that is the biggest thing to take into consideration when drawing up a floor plan.”
How do you keep a space organized but still looking chic? “A great way to stay organized is to create intentional spaces for toys, craft supplies, and odds and ends,” Gaines advises. “I think storage is the most undervalued part of a home. Adequate storage can make every room feel more peaceful and beautiful simply by removing clutter and freeing up visual space. I like to purchase unique pieces that offer a lot of practical organizational space. For example, I bought an old wood chicken feeder at an antiques store that I love, and it lives upstairs in the playroom. It’s the perfect ‘built-in’ organizational area for the kids, and it matches the style of the farmhouse. If you don’t have room for a piece of furniture, use unique baskets, bins, and crates that help organize the mess. Look for practical pieces that tell a story and fit your style. These may take longer to find, but they’ll be worth the wait.”