How Joanna Gaines Turned An Old Fireplace Into A Useful Feature For Her Butler's Pantry

As seasons and people change, so do the needs of our spaces. That was exactly the sentiment of one of Joanna Gaines's mini renovations last summer. A room that was once used for multiple roles, such as an office and even a children's room, this space needed yet another transformation as the Gaines family was ever-evolving. In a space that's held different meanings for so many phases of their lives, the answer was to turn the room into a butler's pantry. Once used as a place for household staff to store and clean kitchenware, it still has similar modern uses today. But the real star of the show in this space is the old, rustic fireplace that's original to the room. Gaines brought it back to life, incorporating it into the everyday functions of a butler's pantry.

According to Magnolia, the fireplace here was actually a period feature that's been around since the 1800s. Because of that, Joanna Gaines decided to not only preserve this rustic addition in the room, but to turn it into something real and even more functional. It's one fireplace makeover that will blow you away.

Showing it all off in her new show, Mini Reni, Gaines modernized the fireplace by placing a wood-burning stove inside, running a flue pipe through the chimney. This fireplace upgrade essentially gives the room better heat control, as wood-burning stoves are known to be more efficient than fireplaces. The 1800s character of the fireplace is still respected, but the stove allows it to properly function for this room. Plus, in the cold months, it's a fireplace design idea that'll help anyone stay warm all winter long. Just above, Gaines installed little shelves for easy access to things that may be needed in the butler's pantry, in this case, mason jars of her family's honey.

If you have an old fireplace in your own kitchen that isn't quite functional anymore, there's so much inspiration to take from this fabulous renovation. You could add a wood-burning stove, or an alternative such as an electric fireplace insert. These don't produce smoke, so they may be safer for your home's air quality, too. Some might even find it helpful to clean out the interior and use it as a styled decor spot. Use woven baskets or install shelves to group pantry items, or fill it with greenery.