Magnolia champions a warm, rustic modern farmhouse aesthetic rooted in comfort and natural materials, reflecting the signature style of its founders, Chip and Joanna Gaines. In contrast, Studio McGee, founded by Syd and Shea McGee, offers a more polished, transitional look that blends modern elegance with classic, timeless design.
Let's compare these two beloved brands to help you decide which is the perfect fit for your home.
Magnolia: The Rustic Modern Farmhouse Choice
Launched by Chip and Joanna Gaines, Magnolia has become synonymous with the modern farmhouse movement. The brand offers a complete lifestyle experience, combining rustic warmth with clean, contemporary lines. Its collections are designed for creating comfortable, inviting spaces that feel both timeless and personal, making it a go-to for those who love a cozy yet stylish home atmosphere.
- Product mix: A broad range of home goods including furniture, kitchen and dining ware, textiles like rugs and pillows, lighting, and decor. The brand also offers garden supplies and unique artisan goods.
- Style/vibe: Modern farmhouse, rustic, and traditional with an emphasis on comfort. Features natural materials, neutral color palettes, distressed finishes, and handcrafted details.
- Price point: Mid-range and accessible. Sofas typically start around $1,200, dining tables run from $800–$2,000, and smaller decorative items range from $20 to $300.
- Quality: Focuses on durable, quality craftsmanship with materials like reclaimed wood, cotton, and linen. Furniture is built to be sturdy and functional for everyday family life.
- Dimensions/Scale: Magnolia often features substantial, generously sized pieces that are well-suited for larger rooms or open-concept living spaces common in farmhouse-style homes.
- Sustainability: The brand emphasizes responsible sourcing and incorporates eco-friendly choices, such as using reclaimed wood and partnering with skilled artisans.
Magnolia is perfect for anyone looking to create an approachable, family-friendly home with enduring rustic charm and a touch of modern sensibility.
Shop Magnolia: magnolia.com
Studio McGee: The Polished Transitional Choice
Founded by designer Shea McGee and her husband Syd, Studio McGee is known for its light-filled, sophisticated aesthetic that feels both fresh and timeless. The brand balances classic design principles with modern details, creating a versatile and elegant look. Its popularity has been boosted by a hit Netflix show and a successful collaboration with Target, making its polished style available to a wide audience.
- Product mix: Curated collections of furniture, lighting, textiles, and decor. Their offerings are characterized by refined finishes, thoughtful details, and high-end materials.
- Style/vibe: Modern classic and transitional. The aesthetic is clean, sophisticated, and airy, blending traditional shapes with contemporary lines and neutral color palettes.
- Price point: Mid-to-upper mid-range. Sofas begin around $1,500, dining chairs can be $300–$700 each, and decor pieces typically fall between $30 and $400. Their collaboration with Target offers more budget-friendly options.
- Quality: High priority on quality materials like solid wood, performance fabrics, and metal accents. Pieces are designed for longevity with a focus on refined construction and details.
- Dimensions/Scale: Studio McGee provides a wide range of sizes that can work in various spaces. Their designs are often more adaptable, offering options suitable for both smaller rooms and larger homes.
- Sustainability: The company is increasing its focus on sustainability through responsible sourcing, eco-friendly packaging, and supply chain transparency.
Studio McGee appeals to shoppers who want a sophisticated, design-forward home that feels both upscale and comfortable without being tied to a single trend.
Shop Studio McGee: studiomcgee.com
Magnolia vs. Studio McGee Comparison
Price Comparison
Both brands operate in the mid-range price category, but with slight differences. Magnolia often provides slightly more accessible price points, especially for larger furniture pieces, with sofas starting around $1,200 and dining tables under $2,000. Their decor selection is also very budget-friendly.
Studio McGee's main line is positioned a bit higher, with sofas starting closer to $1,500. However, their highly popular "Threshold with Studio McGee" collection at Target makes their signature aesthetic available at much lower prices, giving shoppers flexible entry points into the brand.
Style & Aesthetic
The primary distinction between the two brands lies here. Magnolia is deeply rooted in the modern farmhouse aesthetic, defined by its warmth, rustic textures, and cozy, lived-in feel. Its style is perfect for those who want their home to feel like a welcoming, comfortable retreat with lots of character from materials like distressed wood and black iron.
Studio McGee offers a more polished and versatile transitional style. Its look is cleaner and more refined, blending traditional forms with modern simplicity. The aesthetic is lighter and airier, and it fits seamlessly into a wider array of home styles, from traditional to contemporary coastal to modern classic.
Quality & Construction
Both brands prioritize quality, but their materials reflect their respective styles. Magnolia emphasizes natural and tactile materials like reclaimed wood, hearty textiles, and aged metals. Their furniture is built to be durable and practical for family use, embracing a perfectly imperfect, handcrafted feel.
Studio McGee also uses high-quality materials such as solid wood and performance fabrics but focuses on a more refined finish. Construction details are clean and sophisticated, aiming for a polished, professionally designed look that's built for longevity and timeless appeal.
Product Selection & Sizing
Magnolia’s collection feels expansive and lifestyle-oriented, extending into kitchenware, gardening, and artisan goods. Their furniture pieces often have a larger, more substantial scale, designed to fill sizable rooms common in suburban or rural homes. These pieces make a statement and anchor a space.
Studio McGee's selection is tightly curated around home furnishings and decor. The brand offers a better range of sizes, with pieces designed to be flexible enough for apartment living or more compact rooms. Their collection provides excellent standalone pieces that can easily be mixed with other styles.
Shopping Experience
Shopping with Magnolia is an immersive brand experience. The website features rich storytelling and styling inspiration, while their physical retail footprint in Waco, Texas, is a major destination for fans. The experience feels personal and connected to the Gaines' story.
Studio McGee is primarily an e-commerce brand with a sleek, user-friendly website that functions as a shoppable portfolio of their design work. Their partnership with Target provides massive accessibility, allowing customers to see and purchase products in thousands of stores across the country, often at promotional prices.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to the specific feeling and aesthetic you want for your home, as both brands provide excellent quality and thoughtful designs.
Choose Magnolia if:
- You're creating a modern farmhouse or rustic-inspired interior.
- You want your home to feel cozy, warm, and inviting.
- You appreciate the charm of natural textures and handcrafted details.
- You're furnishing larger, open spaces and need substantial, grounding pieces.
Choose Studio McGee if:
- You prefer a polished, sophisticated look that blends classic and modern elements.
- You need versatile pieces that can adapt to different styles and room sizes.
- You are drawn to light, airy interiors with a clean, designer-curated feel.
- You enjoy the convenience of seeing products in person and shopping through Target.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Magnolia or Studio McGee cheaper?
Generally, Magnolia's main furniture line can be slightly more affordable than Studio McGee's core collection. However, the "Threshold with Studio McGee" line at Target is significantly cheaper and more accessible, making Studio McGee's style available for a much lower budget.
Which brand has better quality furniture?
Both brands offer high-quality furniture, but the difference is in the style. Magnolia’s quality is seen in its sturdy construction and use of durable, natural materials appropriate for a rustic feel. Studio McGee's quality shines in its refined finishes, tailored upholstery, and classic construction designed for timeless elegance.
What is the main style difference between Magnolia and Studio McGee?
The main difference is Magnolia's warm, rustic modern farmhouse look versus Studio McGee's polished, airy, and versatile transitional aesthetic. Magnolia is cozier and more traditional, while Studio McGee is more refined and contemporary.
Which brand is better for small spaces?
Studio McGee is generally better for small spaces. The brand offers a wider range of furniture scales and often designs pieces with clean lines and lighter visual weight, which helps smaller rooms feel more open and less cluttered.
Can you buy Studio McGee products at Target?
Yes, Studio McGee has a highly successful and ongoing collaboration line with Target called "Threshold designed w/Studio McGee." This collection includes furniture, rugs, decor, pillows, and lighting that bring the brand's signature look to Target's accessible prices.
Do both brands have physical stores?
Magnolia is famous for its retail destination, the Silos, in Waco, Texas, which includes multiple stores. Studio McGee does not operate its own branded physical storefronts for its core collection, but its Target line is available for purchase in Target stores nationwide.
Are these brands sustainable?
Both brands are making efforts toward sustainability. Magnolia's brand ethos naturally incorporates sustainable practices like using reclaimed wood. Studio McGee is also growing its focus on responsible sourcing and using eco-conscious materials across its product lines.
Who are the founders behind these brands?
Magnolia was founded by Chip and Joanna Gaines, famous for their HGTV show "Fixer Upper." Studio McGee was founded by Syd and Shea McGee, who rose to prominence through their design studio, blog, and Netflix show "Dream Home Makeover."
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
