The queen of shiplap is trading grand transformations for bite-sized renovations. Joanna Gaines—whose name has become synonymous with farmhouse chic and dramatic before-and-after reveals—is scaling down her ambitions in a delightful way with her new solo venture, Mini Reni.
Premiering May 14, this nine-episode series follows Gaines as she tackles quick-turnaround projects that pack maximum style into minimal spaces. Per the overview: “With only a week to transform three rooms, she faces the clock and a tight budget in each thrilling episode.”
The series showcases her signature design hacks that deliver outsized results with a downsized budgets—like secret doorways in playrooms and clever tricks that make spaces more luxurious without breaking the bank.
The beauty of these mini renovations? That satisfying before-and-after rush comes in a week rather than months. And not all of the nine renovations are for clients—several episodes feature projects close to Gaines’s heart. Viewers will get an intimate look at two renovations within her own Waco farmhouse, plus a special makeover for her parents, Jerry and Nan Stevens.
Produced by Chip and Joanna’s multimedia production company, Blind Nil, Mini Reni is another strategic expansion of the Gaines brand, though Chip sits this one out.
For fans who’ve followed the couple since their Fixer Upper days on HGTV, this new series offers a welcome return to Joanna’s renovation roots, albeit with a fresh twist that feels perfectly timed with today’s design landscape (and, well, economy).
Mini Reni premieres Wednesday, May 14 at 8 p.m. ET on Magnolia Network and streaming on Max, with new episodes dropping weekly through July 9. And if the show accomplishes its mission, you’ll be inspired to tackle your own mini renovation before the season finale.
Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE Decor, where she manages the brand’s social media presence and covers trends, lifestyle, and culture in the design world. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million, conducted interviews with A-list celebrities, and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, art and lifestyle. Over her five years of digital media experience, Julia has written about numerous topics, from fashion to astrology.
