Joanna Gaines' Hillcrest Cottage is a lesson in making the most out of a small space – take a tour to see how she brings her iconic style to this tiny rental property

Combining her signature rustic style with a contemporary palette, Joanna makes this tiny cottage feel bright and airy

Cottage with wood beams, white sofa, white painted brick fireplace, coffee table with plant and black dining table
(Image credit: Magnolia)

Renovated by interior designer Joanna Gaines, the Hillcrest Estate in Waco, Texas features an impressive 20th-century house and several acres of land. And nestled into the lush greenery of the estate is Hillcrest Cottage, a tiny rental that's a lesson in small space design.

Joanna has truly made the most out of the space and channeled cottage decorating ideas, creating an idyllic holiday rental that embraces her classic rustic style on a small scale. She's taught us how to style a small house and proved that even the tiniest spaces can nail that open, airy feel that's synonymous with the rustic cottage aesthetic.

Take a tour around the cozy yet open rooms of this beautiful rental property, and for those who aren't quite satisfied just with the pictures for inspiration, you can rent it on Airbnb and experience the beauty of Hillcrest in person.

White wood panelled cottage with black doors and shutters, plant pots and garage

(Image credit: Magnolia)

Embracing the property's traditional architecture, Joanna has opted for a classic white for the cottage's exterior paint color, a clever choice that makes the small building feel elongated and larger. Guests are met with a charming pair of black-painted shutters and potted trees framing and softening the entrance.

Cottage living room with beams, white sofa, exposed brick fireplace, coffee table and midcentury pendant light

(Image credit: Magnolia)

The Hillcrest Cottage is a great example of the modern cottage style. Despite the open-plan nature of the space, Joanna has made each area feel individual and its own. Using the white sofa in the cottage living room to separate from the dining area, the space feels snug yet airy and bright. She's still embraced the classic architectural features, such as the wood beams, the stone tiled floor, and the exposed brick fireplace, but she's breathed some life into the room by opting for delicate neutral pieces.

Old properties can feel a little stuffy, especially when you are dealing with low ceilings and small square footage. But with the mix of contemporary furniture, the room feels eclectic and trendy. From the round coffee tables scattered around the room to the desk nestled to the side, there's a zone for every need. Pair this with the rustic antique-style decor, and it's the perfect balance of old and new and embraces the transitional style.

Dining room with white wood panelled walls, trio of wall art, black wooden table and chairs and foliage in vase

(Image credit: Magnolia)

Joanna has grounded the otherwise soft, neutral color palette and followed black-and-white room ideas, adding accent black furniture to avoid an overly traditional feeling cottage. The white-painted walls allow for these darker pockets that vary the palette and make the space feel contemporary. Joanna keeps the wooden accents (like the beams and mantel) bare to provide warmth and an organic feel.

The modern farmhouse dining room is situated within the living room, and despite the space's compactness, it feels like a separate, spacious area. Above the wooden dining table hangs a floral triptych that frames the space and adds to the earthy, organic vibe. The area is relatively minimal, but a large potted tree in a woven basket makes the area feel laid-back and inviting, tying in with the other plants dotted around the space.

Small kitchen with pale grey cabinets, tiled mural, wood stools and marble countertops

(Image credit: Magnolia)

Joanna has proven that small kitchens can be stylish and chic, making the most of this compact space. Continuing with the monochromatic color palette, the kitchen cabinets have been painted in a subtle light grey, opening up the space and making it feel brighter. The wooden accents tie in with the rest of the space and nod to the classic cottage style, adding warmth and character that contrasts against the grey palette.

The mural draws your eye down the kitchen, not only adding some character into the space but also creating the illusion that the room is longer. Acknowledging the minimal style of the kitchen, Joanna has ensured to bring some intricacy and personality by incorporating a nature-inspired wallpaper, reminiscent of Hillcrest's luscious grounds.

Neutral bedroom with large rug, iron bedframe with linen neutral bedding, vintage wall art and large plant in corner

(Image credit: Magnolia)

Joanna has ensured that every space feels light and bright, tricking the eye by making the rooms feel bigger using white. The same goes for the bedroom. Despite straying from typical cottage bedroom ideas, the master bedroom still feels cozy despite its neutral palette. Using plenty of vintage wall art and plants, Joanna has given the space some character while still following a relatively minimal design.

The linen bedding, large potted plants, and rattan blinds add to the space's serenity and give the room a modern organic feel. Its natural earthiness pairs beautifully with the white walls. The vintage-style rug cozies the space with some softness while bringing some pattern to contrast against the simple bedding.

Subway tiled bathroom with mosaic floor, green wood panelling, marble sink with gold taps and large mirror

(Image credit: Magnolia)

Simple yet elegant, the bathroom in the Hillcrest Cottage is an example of bringing luxury and classic design into even the smallest of spaces. Although it's a relatively small bathroom, Joanna has been sure to use timeless subway and mosaic tiles that ground the space and add to its elegance. The olive green paneling contrasts against the monochromatic scheme, bringing some much-needed variation and richness that pairs beautifully with the gold hardware.

You can really tell that the space has been designed as a whole, there's a effortless flow from room to room. She's followed a similar color palette and used similar materials and decor in each individual room to make each area feel cohesive and connected yet still like its own zone. The sink is made of marble (like the kitchen's countertops), adding to the sophistication of the space.

Backyard with wood trellis, two lounge chairs and white french doors

(Image credit: Magnolia)

Joanna has gone for a classic cottage garden look using a simple wooden pergola and a set of comfy loungers. Mirroring the warm wooden beams in the cottage, the pergola is a clever way to connect the interior to the garden.

Connected to the living room with classic French doors, the terrace feels airy and bright, just like the rest of the house. Vibrant shrubs are scattered around the perimeter, bringing color and vibrancy that pairs beautifully with the minimal furniture.

Shop the Hillcrest Cottage aesthetic


Joanna has stayed true to her classic modern rustic style. She's managed to make a small cottage feel elegant and contemporary, utilizing the space as much as possible with a light color palette and scattering lots of vintage decor. Recreating Joanna's elevated cottage look couldn't be easier, as much of the decor is available to shop at her homeware store Magnolia.

Eleanor Richardson
Interior Design News Editor

I am the Interior Design News Editor at Homes and Gardens, covering mainly US-based designers and trending news stories. My love for interiors began when I interned in an interior design studio, working on commercial and private spaces. My passion grew while working in production, where I sourced beautiful locations for photoshoots and campaigns. Outside of work, I enjoy collecting antique decor and mid-century furniture for my home.

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