Joanna Gaines’ latest bedroom makeover isn’t a hit with fans |
Joanna Gaines’ latest project – described as “MiniReni‘ – saw the designer briefly step back from major renovations and tackle a small home in less than a week.
As part of the “Easy Home Update” the fixer above The Star and Magnolia Empire co-owner tackled the bedroom (before and after, below) and, after sharing her work, was met with divided opinion from fans. The unexpectedly controversial talking point in question? Joanna’s graphic wallpaper ideas.
“From an empty white room to a cozy bedroom in just two days,” says Joanna. “Graphic wallpaper and a custom chair rail add so much visual interest and function to this bedroom.”
Some comments, which Joanna herself jokingly pointed out on her Instagram Story, said the “space resembled an ’80s airport bathroom” — while others say the tile-like paper is a modern, masculine addition ideal for the bedroom of the boy is. But what do designers – and you – think about it?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Joanna’s choice of wallpaper has garnered approval from top designers, who agree that she has cleverly transformed the previously blank canvas into a lovely space of improved proportions. How? Well, dark wallpaper or paint with a lighter color on top is the best way to make a room’s ceiling appear higher.
“We’re in the middle of a new love affair with wallpaper, so I like to get creative with it. My new favorite is using a bold wallpaper to completely change the proportions of a room—without having to do any construction,” says Daniel Ian Smith, a San Francisco-based designer Village West Theme (opens in new tab).
According to Daniel, there are “several tricks” designers use to get attention – and one is to create a new “Date’ – like Joanna did with the paper and chair rail in the bedroom. In interior design, this is usually a horizontal line that anchors the rest of the room.
“Rather than relying on the natural line where the wall meets the floor or ceiling, try to mix things up by creating a new line in between,” says Daniel. “If the ceiling is too low, draw a horizontal line at about eye level, then paint the wall over it in the same way as the ceiling to give the impression of more headroom.”
Similarly, if your ceiling is “disproportionately high,” Daniel recommends installing a heavier molding around the 7-inch level. “In either case, add a visually heavy wallpaper (dark color or with bold graphics—or both) under the new bar,” he says. “This is great in already small spaces, or as a way to create more intimacy in an oversized space like a large bedroom.”
California-based designer Genevieve Chambliss of Viève Interiors (opens in new tab) agrees. She adds that while it’s not uncommon to use wallpaper over a chair rail, Joanna Gaines put her own stamp on this designer-favorite technique. “I love how Joanna Gaines changed that in this lovely bedroom and did the wallpaper in the lower half of the room for something unexpected,” she says.
Once the wallpaper is in place, the designer says other small bedroom ideas will quickly fit in. Monochrome furniture — similar to the wooden bed and cabinets Joanna chose — bring a sense of calm to the otherwise boldly colored space (as do the white sheets and neutral-toned pillows).
“It works particularly well because the geometric print mimics the geometric look of paneling while adding a fun, masculine men’s look,” adds Genevieve. “You get all the fun of the pretty navy blue print And the soothing simplicity of white to brighten the space.’
What do you think of the room? Let us know on social media.