After visiting the castle in Waco, Texas renovated by Chip and Joanna Gaines, I learned so much about the history and restoration process. You can tour the castle’s property and main level, including ‘before and after’ pictures of the the kitchen, dining room, and drawing room, here. But first, take a look at the second floor which holds three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a newly built library in the hallway nook at the top of the stairs. Plus, tour the basement which includes a living space, guest room, card room, bathroom, laundry room and an additional unfurnished room.

Exciting news for Magnolia Home fans:

The Gaines will release their Magnolia Home + Kilz paint collection inspired by the castle in October 2022. The collection includes ten different moody paint colors used in the castle renovation from creamy whites to dark green. For example, the color ‘Rosy Pink’ is painted on the walls, and the Burgundy color ‘Moody Fig’ is inspired by the fireplace hearth tile used in the the girls’ room. A Magnolia Home collection of furniture and decor inspired by the castle is already available in the shop, Magnolia Market, here.

You can access the castle renovation sourcebook to find where you can buy many of the materials, paint colors and decor that Joanna Gaines used in the castle, here.

Inside the Castle Designed by Joanna Gaines

Primary Bed and Bath

I was so excited to see the main bedroom that I forget to take photos. Sorry, yall! But, I do have a before photo of this space. Currently, this space includes a beautifully restored fireplace with vintage tile added in the update. Joanna Gaines actually purchased this particular tile years ago to install in her own farmhouse, but ultimately decided not to use it in her own home. This was the perfect project to install the blue and white tile around the hearth. The bay windows and wavy glass were able to be salvaged and remain original to this space. If these windows lasted 100 years, they will probably last another century.

This bedroom is also the only room that contains the original hardwood floors. I did get a photo (below) of the original flooring, main bathroom and closet.

This ensuite bathroom was jaw dropping with high ceilings, gorgeous new tile, and modern lighting. However the real focal point is a claw foot tub surrounded by six diamond cut windows located in the tower of the castle. One trend that Joanna Gaines used throughout the home was a mix of warm and cool metals in lighting, hardware and faucets. There is a small patio accessible through this bathroom, as well.

Lastly, the main bedroom has a large walk-in closet with lots of hanging and drawer space. In addition, the window overlooks the property’s garden shed and yard. See the garden shed, here.

The Girls’ & Boys’ Rooms

So, Joanna Gaines likes to collect one of a kind vintage finds that she finds interesting. Chip often teases that she is a hoarder. If you watch Fixer Upper, you know she has a warehouse full of antiques, architectural pieces and unique furnishings picked up from trips to Round Top Antiques Fair, thrift shops and antique stores. For example, she had this pair of antique twin bed frames. She initially purchased them for her own two girls, but they didn’t appreciate this dated duo. However, the juxtaposition of ornate floral metalwork contrasted beautifully with the modern lighting in this girls’ room.

The boys’ room features one of seven original fireplaces in the home. In typical Joanna Gaines’ design, it is decorated with the perfect mix of old and new. For example, an antique brass bed is flanked by modern nightstands and lighting. Above the fireplace, hangs a portrait of Civil War veteran Captain Alfred Abeel, who purchased the home in 1913 and brought it to completion.

Located between the girls and boys room is this shared bathroom. The newly installed patterned floor tile immediately captures the eye. It has a vintage vibe, but it is new. While this home is over a century old with updated with modern conveniences, everything looks like it belongs together.

The Library

In the upstairs hallway nook, the Gaines hired a carpenter to build a wall length bookcase with a library ladder. Rather than use modern day woodworking techniques, the carpenter built wooden cleats for the bookshelves to maintain the home’s historical properties. Today, most adjustable shelving is made with metal clips or hidden pins. In addition, the carpenter used reclaimed wood rather than new wood, so that it would look like it was original to the home.

The Basement Renovation by Joanna Gaines

Upon entering the basement, there is a beautiful living area and newly added entertainment center. A portion of this built-in replaced the bottom of the dumb waiter that led up to the kitchen. That is because this basement had once served as food and wine storage for the original homeowners. To the right of the tv, there is a large room with a nook that served as the wine cellar. Joanna Gaines left this space unfurnished for the next owners.

However, Joanna Gaines decorated a guest room in the neighboring space. She installed a beautiful floral, navy colored wallpaper, chandelier, and freshly painted wall moulding. Then, she furnished the room with luxurious bedding, modern nightstands, a ruffled bench, and an oversized statement mirror. What a stunning mix of modern and vintage style woven together with a touch of femininity.

Opposite this room in both style and location is the card room. The original mahogany wood paneling paired with a dark grid like tile and carpet create a masculine feel in this space. Joanna Gaines filled this room with a round table and leather chairs that will soon be available in the Magnolia Home furniture collection. And that guy resembling Sam Elliot is the original architect of the home.

As with many of the homes featured in the early seasons of Fixer Upper, this laundry room includes vertical shiplap, one of Joanna Gaines signature design elements. In addition, the bathroom has a similar style to the primary bathroom with a combination of marble tile, wood cabinetry and warm metallic finishes. While several of the decor pieces styled in the castle are vintage, many are from Chip & Joanna Gaines shop, Magnolia.

Again, you can see the rest of Chip and Joanna Gaines’ castle renovation, here. But first, subscribe to the blog for more decorating ideas, and scenes from Waco, Texas.

Amy Williams

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