I Love Joanna Gaines, but This Is the One Thing She Always Gets Wrong

Joanna Gaines is a household name in the interior world for good reason. The HGTV star’s signature modern farmhouse style has evolved with today’s trends, perfectly capturing the rustic meets contemporary look that continues to define Instagram’s Explore page. To that end, her influence has only grown since the pandemic, when she replaced her pre-2020 design fixtures (like open shiplap shelving) with storied, nostalgic elements that feel unexpected. 

Despite her evolving design approach, however, there’s one element she continues to showcase in her designs (that continuously misses the mark): grid patterns and 4x4 tiles.

While Joanna's aesthetic usually blends contemporary elements with timeless appeal, her habitual use of grid-patterned wallpaper and brightly-hued 4x4 tiles sticks out like a sore thumb. The design choice evokes a very '60s nostalgia—but in a dated, hospital-and-elementary-school bathroom sort of way. Take, for instance, the 2023 Instagram post above, where Joanna showcased a bedroom with grid-patterned wallpaper. The response from her followers was immediate and vocal: “Omg, it’s horrible. What’s happening??” one commented. And another wrote, “It looks like the bed was placed in a very big shower.” Hundreds more of her followers weighed in, all echoing a common sentiment: The design choice felt out of place and uninspired.

This issue became particularly evident in her recent lakehouse project, where Gaines’s use of grid tiles sparked discussion in another Instagram post (below). While many aspects of the home were beloved by Fixer Upper fans, the tiles in the laundry room and kitchen drew a mixed reaction. One follower noted, “So, so beautiful! However, my husband would like to know why the school water fountain was left, lol.” The comment perfectly conjures an image of the pink, outdated school tile I was reminded of when I saw the lakehouse reveal as well.

It’s also worth mentioning another poignant commenter, who pointed out more practical concerns about the tile: "Sooo much grout!! I hope whoever buys this can also afford full-time cleaning!!" Even if you prefer the visual contrast of 40 grout lines, you better have a TikTok-worthy steam mop on hand to prevent them from looking dingy, fast. 

Still, despite these criticisms, I have to point out that Jo gets so much right in this lakehouse project. I’m in agreement with another one of her Instagram followers, who writes, "I can see Jackie Kennedy or Marilyn Monroe coming down those stairs in a pencil skirt and an Angora sweater!!" I, too, love how Jo pulled from the ‘60s bones of the house—especially with the walnut wood staircase. It feels nostalgic and timeless in all of the right ways; right in line with the Newstalgia theme that’s now defined post-pandemic interiors. The grid tiles, however, were a design choice that should've been forgotten, along with nasty linoleum floors and lava lamps. Given today’s emphasis on streamlined silhouettes and sophisticated finishes (think slabs of moody marble), the grid pattern of porcelain school tile ultimately cheapens the look.

And of course, this is just one writer’s opinion (shared by a slew of her followers). As with everything on the internet, her choice is up for debate. Many of her followers posted comments like, "I never thought I would like this style but the wood is absolutely beautiful—and offsetting it with tile is wonderful.” Another person wrote, "All the warm and cozy nostalgia feels with this house! Reminds me of my grandparents’ 1950’s home in Seattle," while a third person praised "The use of squares!"

In the end, Gaines’s designs continue to spark conversation, which is the hallmark of any great designer. While I’ll never be in support of the ‘60s hospital bathroom, I can appreciate a design that makes me *really question* what I want from my tile.