Hoda Kotb’s New Office Space Gets a Makeover by Joanna Gaines. See the Results

For the season finale of her “Mini Reni” series, host and interior designer Joanna Gaines helped out a close friend and member of the TODAY family: Hoda Kotb!

In the last episode of Season 1, which arrived on HBO Max and the Magnolia Network July 9, Hoda reached out to Gaines about transforming a space the former TODAY co-anchor recently took over in the New York City suburbs.

Gaines said “never in a million years” did she expect that Hoda would contact her about a project for the show, which shows the interior designer renovating smaller spaces over a shorter period of time. But alas, the episode began with Hoda calling Gaines on FaceTime to see if she was interested in teaming up to turn the empty office into a welcoming space for her new company, Joy 101.

Hoda reached out to Gaines about creating a space that will help her launch her new company, Joy 101. (Magnolia Network)

“I’m starting a new business and I saw this kind of empty, funky looking space. Could you help me?” Hoda asked.

Gaines quickly accepted her offer, saying that it was her “biggest honor” to update the space. She mentioned to the cameras that she had met Hoda multiple times whenever she stopped by Studio 1A for an interview over the years with her husband, Chip Gaines.

Hoda then listed her plans for the office. “It’s where we will have our gatherings. It’s where I might be able to knock out a podcast,” she explained. She also described the vibe she wanted for the workspace as “a combination of joy and a sanctuary.”

“But it is a New York suburb … Are you cool with doing a New York thing?” Hoda asked Gaines, who typically works out of her home base in Waco, Texas.

Gaines agreed, again, and asked Hoda to send some of her favorite pictures, colors and dreams for the office.

The office space Hoda Kotb's business now uses. (Magnolia Network)

The only concern Gaines had was about the timeline of only two months to coincide with the launch of Hoda’s new business, but she knew she could make it work.

Before the makeover began, Gaines and Hoda met in person in New York City to tour the space together. Gaines had already drawn a layout that included an entry, three smaller offices, conference room and a separate office for Hoda.

“I’m 60 years old and I’m, like, this is the season of repotting, up by the roots, pull ‘em up and put them in soil. This feels futile. When I look around, I can feel the newness of what’s coming,” Hoda told Gaines.

She added that she pictured the design to be “light, bright and white.”

Hoda also shared that she wanted the space to be a nod to her two daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, explaining that her work motto honors the girls.

"I say, ‘Built with hope, made for joy,’” Hoda said.

After telling Hoda that she planned to add “history and character” to the office, Gaines immediately got to work.

One of the HGTV star’s first ideas was to create a propagation wall by taking clippings from plants, putting them in containers with water and placing them on wooden planks nailed to the wall. She said it would function as an additional art piece in the office.

Then, Gaines began working on an arts and crafts project that included photos of Hoda’s daughters and some of their drawings. She teased that the items would be one of the few surprises she'd keep a secret from Hoda.

The entrance holds one of many nods to Hoda's daughters. The former TODAY co-anchor told her that her motto is "Built with hope, made for joy." (Magnolia Network)

After adding multiple elements, like new paint, walls, doors, backsplash and furniture, she returned to the renovated space with Hoda to show her what she and her team had created.

“Oh my gosh! Are you serious right now? This is insane!” Hoda said as she took in the entire finished space from top to bottom.

One of the three smaller offices in Hoda's new office with repaired vintage doors from Portugal. (Magnolia Network)

“I love this so much. The ceiling is blowing my mind,” she said.

Hoda instantly noticed that Gaines added the motto about Hope and Joy to the wall. “This is it,” Hoda said as she looked at the phrase.

The propagation wall Gaines created with plants from her farm. (Magnolia Network)

“It all goes back to your daughters,” Gaines replied.

The tiled ceiling and large table in the conference room. (Magnolia Network)

As she continued to make her way to each room, Hoda said “I love everything!” She was a big fan of the three offices, which all featured vintage doors from Portugal.

A shot of the coffee bar in the conference room. (Magnolia Network)

When Gaines showed her the propagation wall and informed her that all the plants came from the Gaines' farm, Hoda responded, “Repotting, this is it. It’s art.”

The conference room cork wall to help organize meetings. (Magnolia Network)

“Oh, stop it right now!” she said as she peered around the corner to look at the conference room, which had a cork wall for meetings.

For the grand reveal of the final room, Hoda’s own office, Gaines opened the double doors to the room as a nearly speechless Hoda placed her hand over her heart.

“Oh…what is happening?” she said while walking into the space, which Gaines said she wanted to feel feminine and include a large, central light fixture.

Gaines and Hoda sitting at the desk in her office. (Magnolia Network)

When she noticed her daughters’ handprints hanging on one of the walls, Hoda started to tear up. Gaines then revealed her art project from earlier in the episode turned into a “memory box” on another wall that included notes and drawings from Hope and Joy.

Hoda began to read one of the letters that said, “Dear Mama, I love you.”

“I can’t believe what you’ve done. I love it so much. I love everything you did,” Hoda told Gaines before the two embraced at the end of the episode.

Gaines said she can’t wait to see what Hoda does in the future with her modern office, and neither can we!