Are you a familiar with the show Fixer Upper on HGTV? We’re fans! It’s fun and inspiring to watch run-down houses renovated and decorated gorgeously. Plus, the husband and wife team of Chip (contractor) and Joanna (interior designer) are wonderful together. They’re talented. Funny. Sweet to each other. And their farm house and kids are adorable.
The only liability of watching Fixer Upper? The fact that you’re ready to push the brand new homeowners out of their house at the end of each show so that you can live there yourself.
Like Chip and Joanna, His Highness and I both graduated from Baylor. Since Baylor is located in Waco, where Fixer Upper is based, we have years of familiarity with the town. When I was invited to chat with readers at one of the libraries in Waco this past Saturday, my fifteen year old daughter and I decided to make a day trip out of it.
It took us less than two hours to drive from Dallas to Waco. We had lunch, visited the library, and then beat a path directly to Magnolia Market, the development that Chip and Joanna have opened in downtown Waco at the base of two old silos. Here’s a pictorial tour….
The view from the steps of the Magnolia store across the entrance gate to the cutie patootie little bakery and its accompanying outdoor eating area.
A close-up of one of the bakery’s many flower boxes.
Inside the store. Oh, the treasures to be had! It was hard for me to narrow my wish-list down to just a few items. The store offered seasonal decor, kitchen items, bathroom items, jewelry, and much more.
We visited during the the late afternoon ‘I’m-desperate-for-a-snack’ hours so we were delighted to discover the food trucks lining the back of the property. We ordered two cinnamon sugar crepes. Regular for my daughter. Gluten free, dairy free for me. I haven’t had a crepe in ages, so to find a GF/DF one felt like hitting the dessert jackpot. It was DELICIOUS.
The view of the grassy central area where people were taking advantage of the provided sports equipment. Mellow, Brat Pack type music was playing and the whole vibe encouraged you to sit back, enjoy the day, your food, your family, and the setting.
A garden area complete with flower, fruit, and vegetable beds + a garden shop occupies one corner of the property. Little fairy houses sat here on there atop bird feeders. Each one was different and charming and made me crave fairy houses of my own.
Here we are, back at home with some of our Magnolia Market purchases. A T-shirt for my daughter, a tray and pitcher set for me.
Are you an HGTV or Food Network viewer? Which shows are your favorites?
Becky Wade
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My favs are Love It or List It and Property Brothers. Fun day for you!
I enjoy both of those, too! The feisty banter between the real estate agent and the interior designer in Love It or List It makes me smile.
Unfortunately, I do watch. And then I look at my own house and sigh with resignation. I need Joanne and Chip to come transform my wreck into an oasis!
If only renovations were quick and easy and inexpensive! They’re none of those things. Around here, we’re constantly trying to keep up with needed fixes and improvements. Even so, we’re never done. It’s an ongoing work in progress.
I’m a HUGE “Fixer Upper ” fan! I wish I could visit Waco!
Ah! So you know all about Chip and Joanna. It’s a great show, isn’t it? I love the way the houses turn out. I think it’s especially fun when they tackle particularly tricky jobs — like the tiny house, the B&B, etc.
Thanks for sharing, Becky! Chip and Joanna are adorable, and God has surely blessed their business!!
He surely has. It’s encouraging to see how the Lord gifts people with such a wide array of talents and then allows them to glorify Him through those abilities in such a wide array of ways.
O…sounds like fun! I’m not big on watching tv, but when I do, hgtv is one. I like Fixer Upper, House Hunters and Love it or List it. I would love to check out the market! It sounds and looks so cool!
House Hunters is great because: A) it gives you a peek into available houses all over the world. It’s like an international house tour! B) It’s interactive. As I watch, I’m always trying to decides which house I’d choose. 🙂
I used to watch Trading Spaces way back in the day and loved seeing homes being transformed on a budget. I’ll have to look up Fixer Upper. It sounds right up my alley. I have no home improvement skills of my own, but I do enjoy watching other people working their magic. 🙂 It gives one hope.
I loved Trading Spaces, except for Hildy, I only saw one room she did that I liked.
I remember Trading Spaces! Wow. That brings back memories. I used to watch that show all the time.
I loved seeing all the pictures of the Magnolia Market, and your fabulous finds! It looks like you had a great time!
Becky
We did! Thanks, Becky.
What a fun trip! I would love to visit some day. We only watch HGTV when at a hotel because we don’t have cable at home. Probably a good thing because I would spend way too much time watching. We did visit a couple of places that were on the food network when we were in Boston. Such fun!!! Love your blog!
“I would spend way too much time watching” Good point! The renovation shows are a wee bit addictive. Whenever I don’t have anything good recorded and just want to relax in front of the TV for a bit, I go straight to HGTV.
I watch HGTV. Although I don’t won’t to live in a tiny house I enjoy watching shows about them. Also I like Beachfront Property Hunt.
I’m fascinated by the tiny house shows, too. To live in such a small space! I’ve caught a few episodes of Beachfront Property Hunt and ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the beach houses. I was raised in California and love the beach.
Oh, yes. I love the Property Brothers. 🙂 Sounds so fun …
The Property Brothers are great. The fact that they’re handsome, too, doesn’t hurt matters….
Love that show! It’s my favorite! Wish it was only a 2-hour drive from here, but alas, Washington is very north and very west.
Very north and west! My husband and I visited Washington a year ago. What a gorgeous state! Did you know that my new series is set there in a fictional small town on the Hood Canal?
Dad and I will need to stop one time on our Dallas-Houston trips!
Most definitely!
I’d never heard of Fixer Upper until I was in Austin, TX visiting my nephew and his wife back in April. That’s when all the flooding was happening so we stayed inside and binge watched the show. I was hooked! It is amazing how they make treasure out of such trash. The fact that they seem to be a solid Christian family makes them even more endearing. Looks like you had a fantastic day with your lovely daughter.
“It is amazing how they make treasure out of such trash.” I agree! Amazing! I grew up in an old house and have always appreciated the character inherent in older houses. Thus, part of the charm of the show for me is getting to see old places dusted off, shined up, and made ready for modern-day families.
Love Fixer Upper – I was inspired by an online post with Joanna’s spiritual testimony some time ago, looking forward to their book which releases next month, I think. I love watching House Hunters, Tiny Houses, Beachfront Property Hunt, and other shows on the network. Loved your post and pics!!
Thanks, Bonnie! You’re right about their book. It’s called The Magnolia Story and it’s scheduled to release next month. I wish them all the best with it!
I love Chip and Joanna. It looks like you had a good trip to the Silos.
They’re super loveable, aren’t they? They’re so natural and real on camera that you feel like you know them.
My brother and sister in law were on House Hunters so that’s my favorite…although let’s be honest…I watch all the shows! 🙂
I saw someone mentioned Trading Spaces. I actually have a shirt I bought from the show. Unfortunately it’s too little now but I keep hanging onto saying, I’ll get back into it someday…..
I hate to cook but I enjoy watching Masterchef. That show amazes me how they can cook from ingredients they’ve never heard of before.
We have a place here in Tuscaloosa similar to where you went called The Makers Market. Different booths with all kinds of homemade things open all year. I’ve yet to go afraid I’ll go crazy and spend too much money.
My pastor husband and I just bought our son and daughter-in-laws home to retire to next May. The most heard comment is “Just imagine what Chip and Joanna could do to your new home.”. Something tells me it will be our Fixer Upper.
I love to watch fixer-upper show,property bros.-Tiny houses and another where they auction houses,move to a lot and redo and then auction them again in Tx.
I hope to see Magnolia one day. thanks for sharing pics and your feelings.
I absolutely adore Fixer Upper. I love their family, farm and beautiful home renovations. I was also happy to hear they were a good Christian family and God has definitely blessed them with a spirit of excellency. Food Network shows I like are Cutthroat Kitchen (seriously, if you haven’t watched this you are missing out) and Beat Bobby Flay.
Also, I’m glad you had a nice day trip to Magnolia Market. If I ever go to Waco, I would to visit there and stay at their B&B.
I’m a BIG HGTV fan.My favorites are House Hunters,Property Brothers(especially Jonathan).Fixer Upper.I am looking forward to the new season of it.I also used to watch Divine Design with Candace Olsen in it when it was on.Design on a Dime etc:This is probably my most often watched channel.The only problem is you want to redo your own house.Diana G.
I love their show! They are so funny. They seem very family oriented.
I watch Flea Market Flips, Property Brothers, Love it or List it, Fixer Upper, and Tiny House Hunters. Plus American Restoration.
I’m late chiming in, but add me to the list of Fixer Upper lovers and jealous-you-got-to-go-and-I-didn’t-ers. 😉 Love Joanna’s style and the family’s faith.
We LOVE Fixer Upper!!! My second favorite shows are Tiny House Hunters and Tiny House Living. Chip is a hoot but my husband gets way too many ideas from his shenanigans!