Fixer Upper | Magnolia House

How many of you watch Fixer Upper on HGTV? This little design show, featuring Chip and Joanna Gaines, who started off with the goal of “fixing up” every house in Waco, TX one at a time, has developed a cult following. People actually stand outside of their store in downtown Waco, also referred to as “The Silos“, for hours just to get in and perhaps purchase an item or two to aid in “fixing up” their own house. Chip and Joanna are both Baylor grads, as am I, and live on a farm with their four kids just outside of Waco. As someone who has spent a lot of time in Waco, TX, I initially started watching the show to get a glimpse of “home” all the way from my living room in New York City. And our cousin Karla happened to be featured on season one of the show.

Currently, filming is in process for season four of Fixer Upper, but season three showed the construction and opening of Magnolia Market at The Silos as well as the renovation of a bed and breakfast in McGregor, TX. The bed and breakfast, Magnolia House, opened to guests in March 2016, and Shelby and I immediately booked it for a couple of nights in May, deciding to gift the stay to our Mom for her birthday. Joanna noted on the show that she designed Magnolia House to be reminiscent of their farmhouse, so that guests would feel like they were staying with their family. So, along with some friends and family, we headed to central Texas last week to live like Chip and Joanna.

One thing that wasn’t clear from watching the episode of the show about Magnolia House, is even though they are calling it a bed and breakfast, you actually rent the whole house. So technically it’s more of a vacation home. Since you rent the entire house, the price is higher than what a room in a bed and breakfast would be, which I think surprised a lot of people at first. However, after staying there I feel the price is totally justified for all the amenities that are included.

The Magnolia House is two stories, sleeps 8, has 5 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a full kitchen, breakfast nook that seats 4, dining room that seats 6, living room, coffee bar/mini kitchen, and a laundry room with full washer/dryer. It has a wrap around porch with benches and rocking chairs perfect for watching the summer thunderstorms roll in.

The full size kitchen is stocked with plenty of plates, glasses, pots and pans, and utensils including a wine corkscrew in case you bring a few bottles of wine along with you. There is even a Kitchen Aid mixer in case you feel like whipping up some cupcakes. There is a Keruig coffee maker in the kitchen, and there is a second one in the upstairs coffee bar. Keruig coffee pods, coffee creamer, and sugar are all provided. A breakfast made up of fabulous pastries and fruit was waiting for us on the kitchen counter along with orange juice and various condiments in the fridge.

Both bathrooms were stocked with plenty of towels and toiletries. Beyond the standard shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion were make up remover wipes, cotton balls, q-tips, and even bubble bath!

A robe was provided for each guest in their rooms, and by each bed was a mini box of chocolate truffles and a bottle of water. The laundry room was stocked with laundry detergent, extra sheets and blankets, as well as other things you may have forgotten like phone chargers, lint rollers, a sewing kit. Wireless internet, a smart TV with a library of family friendly DVDs, a cabinet stocked with board games, and books and magazines placed throughout the house all for your enjoyment. There is an elevator inside making the house handicapped accessible (or if you just over packed and don’t want to haul your suitcase upstairs). Every little detail was well thought out.

 

Rob and Marianne Ward live in the guest house on the property (which Chip and Joanna also renovated on an episode of Fixer Upper) and run Magnolia House. They are the SWEETEST people. They were in constant contact with us, ensuring we had everything we needed, and even invited our group over to take a peek inside their house.

Magnolia House is currently booked through 2016, but I highly encourage you to sign up for the mailing list to be notified when reservations open up for 2017. This was such a fun experience and we can’t wait to book another stay.

Do you watch Fixer Upper? What’s your favorite house that Chip and Joanna have renovated? Have you visited the Silos? Or stayed in Magnolia House? Tweet us or leave a comment and let us know!

-Ash xx