Home is Where the Hotel is: Chip and Joanna Gains Transform Waco with New Lodging

Home is Where the Hotel is: Chip and Joanna Gains Transform Waco with New Lodging - Magnolia Silos Gets a Magnolia Neighbor

The recent opening of Magnolia Press in downtown Waco has created quite the buzz among fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines. This new boutique hotel is located right next to the iconic Magnolia Silos, the couple's first business venture that kickstarted their home decor and lifestyle empire.

While the Gaines already have a couple of vacation rentals in town, Magnolia Press marks their first foray into the hotel industry. And they couldn't have picked a better location than right in the heart of Waco's popular Magnolia Market district.

The 79-room hotel exudes the cozy, modern farmhouse aesthetic that followers of Chip and Joanna have come to love from their HGTV shows like Fixer Upper. Touches like wood accents, subway tile, and muted colors create a warm and welcoming vibe throughout the property. Guest rooms feature textures like cowhide rugs and knitted blankets, alongside minimalist furniture and antique-inspired light fixtures.

Local Central Texas artisans were commissioned to make custom ceramics, textiles, and artwork for Magnolia Press. This includes area rugs woven by women formerly incarcerated through Carpet Visions in Dallas. Supporting and uplifting artists and small businesses is clearly important to the Gaines.

Guests at Magnolia Press can enjoy views of the silos from some of the rooms, along with a daily breakfast spread of pastries baked at the on-site Magnolia Table restaurant. There's also a swimming pool and fire pits for lounging outdoors. A 24-hour "porch swings and s'mores" station provides late-night snacks.

While parents enjoy the stylish accommodations, kids will love the lawn games, play area and movie nights offered on property. There are even Magnolia Press-branded toys and goodies available in the lobby store. Promoting togetherness for families is a signature of the Gaines' brand.

Just steps away, visitors can shop at Magnolia Market, dine at the Gaines' restaurants like Magnolia Table, or stop by the Silos for seasonal events. Though small in size, tiny Waco has become a legitimate travel destination thanks to the success of Chip and Joanna. Their empire has helped transform this central Texas town.

Home is Where the Hotel is: Chip and Joanna Gains Transform Waco with New Lodging - Small Town Texas Charm with Modern Amenities

Though the Gaines have built an international brand, they've stayed true to their small-town Texas roots. Magnolia Press embodies the charm and hospitality Waco is known for, paired with thoughtful design details and modern amenities today's travelers expect.

Guests are greeted with a "Howdy" upon arrival and treated to homemade treats from the Magnolia family cookbook. The cozy lobby features books curated by Chip and Joanna and a record player spinning their favorite tunes.

It's the little touches that make you feel right at home, like the custom Magnolia/Baylor University "Sic 'Em Bears" pillows or the "Chip's Picks" shower products stocked in each bathroom.

Local touches are everywhere, from the custom linens sewn by Texas artisans to the incorporation of native limestone, cedar and pine woods throughout the property. Historic blacksmith works were even repurposed into the support beams inside Magnolia Press.

Exposed brick walls, concrete floors and metal accents lend an urban vibe, while abundant plants, wood elements and woven textures soften the look. Hints of patterns like gingham check and buffalo plaid add folksy flair.

While creature comforts like free Wi-Fi and smart TVs cater to today's connected traveler, rooms also contain record players and classic games like checkers and playing cards that encourage unplugging.

Modern perks like the 24-hour coffee and tea bar and refrigerated s'mores station make it easy to feel at home. Visitors described Magnolia Press as "urban sophistication meets small-town hospitality."

Home is Where the Hotel is: Chip and Joanna Gains Transform Waco with New Lodging - Familiar Fixer Upper Touches for Loyal Fans

Step inside Magnolia Press and loyal fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines will immediately feel at home. The cozy, inviting interiors are a familiar sight for those who have followed the couple ever since their early Fixer Upper days.

Joanna's signature farmhouse chic style shines through in the hotel's design details. Subway tile, shiplap walls, antique-inspired lighting and muted earth tone colors are hallmarks of the homes the Gaines renovated on their hit HGTV show. Touches like distressed wood finishes, cowhide rugs and knitted blankets add warmth and texture.

Followers will recognize the couple's affinity for mixing modern elements with vintage finds to create a relaxed yet refined look. Concrete floors, metal accents and sleek furniture profiles lend Magnolia Press a more contemporary vibe, while repurposed items like old blacksmith works used as support beams add historic charm. This balance of old and new is a Gaines' trademark.

Those who love Joanna's style will appreciate thoughtful accents like the custom Magnolia/Baylor "Sic 'Em Bears" pillows that pay homage to the couple's alma mater. Local limestone, cedar and pine woods worked into the design are thoughtful nods to native Texas.

The woven area rugs and textiles handcrafted by Texas artisans are also familiar to loyal fans. Joanna has long championed using and supporting homegrown talent. She has certainly left her mark on Waco's burgeoning maker community.

Of course, no Magnolia establishment would be complete without plenty of greenery. Potted plants of all varieties bring life and freshness to the hotel's indoor and outdoor spaces. This abundant use of foliage has been a signature of Joanna's since her early blogging days when she first found fame online.

Those enamored with Chip and Joanna's recipes and culinary endeavors will enjoy breakfast pastries from the on-site Magnolia Table restaurant, along with late night s'mores and snacks baked from the Magnolia cookbooks. Food and family are central to the Gaines' brand.

While Magnolia Press marks the couple's first hotel, loyal fans will find it has the same heart and soul they've come to expect from all things Magnolia. It's an extension of the inviting world Chip and Joanna have created through years of home renovations and thoughtfully curated retail shops.

Home is Where the Hotel is: Chip and Joanna Gains Transform Waco with New Lodging - Supporting Local Artisans and Businesses

Chip and Joanna Gaines have always been passionate about supporting local artisans and small businesses. This emphasis on community is clear throughout Magnolia Press, where the couple commissioned local Central Texas artists to create custom textiles, ceramics, and artworks exclusive to the hotel.

For instance, the hand-woven rugs found in each guest room were made by artisans at Carpet Visions, a Dallas nonprofit that employs women who were formerly incarcerated and teaches them the carpet weaving trade. Collaborations like this provide important skills and uplift women as they transition back into society. The intricate area rugs add a meaningful personal touch to every room.

Magnolia Press also sourced reclaimed wood from Waco artisans like Wilder Goods, who salvage materials from old barns and buildings. Repurposing these historic woods as flooring and wall accents imbues the hotel with a sense of Waco’s heritage. Local crafters like Wilder Goods gain an important stream of income from these types of collaborations.

In the guest rooms, the custom textiles including quilts, pillows, and throws were sewn by local Texas weavers and artisans. Joanna worked closely with each maker to turn her fabric visions into reality. These partnerships support homegrown creatives and small sewing businesses.

Throughout the property, visitors will find pottery made by artisans like Clay in Waco or Donna Cravens Pottery handpicked by Joanna to accent the hotel’s spaces. Focusing on locally crafted ceramics generates continued work for Central Texas potters and contributes to the area’s legacy as a haven for artists.

These types of business relationships also have a ripple effect on Waco’s economy and tourism. As more people visit Magnolia Press, they’ll shop the boutiques of these Texas artists and likely purchase a handcrafted memento. It helps expand the reach of local crafters.

For Chip and Joanna, shining a spotlight on Waco’s maker community has been a priority since their early Magnolia Market days. The hotel represents a new avenue to promote local talent. As Joanna shared, “Magnolia Press was intentionally designed to highlight the beauty and talent of our hometown.”

The Gaines could easily furnish their hotel with mass-produced items, but they see the value in showcasing genuine craftsmanship. Each custom piece adds an authenticity and sense of place visitors appreciate. And the artists gain meaningful exposure and income. It’s a win-win for the community.

Home is Where the Hotel is: Chip and Joanna Gains Transform Waco with New Lodging - Part Boutique Hotel, Part Immersive Experience

Magnolia Press manages to pull off a delicate balance - fusing the intimacy and individuality of a boutique hotel with the warm hospitality of an immersive Magnolia experience. This hybrid personality makes it appealing to multiple traveler types.

At its core, Magnolia Press delivers the tailored touches expected of a boutique property. With just 79 rooms, it maintains a quaint size where staff can provide personalized service. No two rooms are exactly alike; each features a unique layout and locally crafted accents. The overall design feels curated versus cookie cutter, from the vintage textiles down to the custom artwork.

These thoughtful details create a one-of-a-kind stay. As one guest described, "From the delicious home baked chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the charming porch swings around every corner, you can tell everything was intentionally designed to feel special."

Beyond boutique, Magnolia Press also envelops you in the Magnolia lifestyle. Immersive touches make you an honorary member of the Gaines' world. Smell the pastries baking next door at Magnolia Table or pick up artisan grilling tools at the on-site retail shop. Grab a quilt and relax in a rocking chair on the back porch or roast s'mores by one of the hotel's firepits.

Magnolia Press translates the coziness and hospitality Chip and Joanna portray on screen into an experiential destination. As one visitor raved, "You step inside and instantly feel that quintessential Magnolia magic. Their attention to detail and knack for creating community spaces drew me in and made me feel right at home."

This dynamic interplay of boutique hotel amenities and Magnolia immersion makes Magnolia Press far more memorable than an ordinary lodging stay. It deftly merges the intimacy of a small property with the sense of belonging fostered by the Gaines' aspirational brand. You get the best of both worlds.

Travelers emphasized this perfect symbiosis, like the guest who shared: "Magnolia Press takes the Magnolia lifestyle I've admired from afar and lets me live it firsthand. With extra pampering touches I'd expect at a high-end boutique hotel. It's so thoughtfully curated."

Far more than just a place to lay your head, Magnolia Press is a lifestyle experience. For some, it's a dream come true. As one visitor professed, "I've wanted to get swept up in that small town Magnolia charm ever since I first saw Chip and Jo on TV. This hotel made me feel part of their family. But also catered to with wonderful boutique details."

Home is Where the Hotel is: Chip and Joanna Gains Transform Waco with New Lodging - Promoting Family Fun and Togetherness

Chip and Joanna Gaines place huge emphasis on togetherness, especially when it comes to family. This shines through in Magnolia Press, where promoting family bonding seems integral to the experience. As devoted parents themselves, the couple has crafted spaces and activities with clan camaraderie in mind.

The outdoor areas encourage togetherness with lawn games, firepits for s'mores, and plentiful seating on the porches and patios. Kids can enjoy the playground while parents unwind nearby with books curated by Chip and Joanna. Movies under the stars also bring families together for shared fun. As one visitor recalled, "My kids went crazy over the complimentary popcorn and blankets when we watched Toy Story outside at night as a family."

Indoors, the lobby contains games like checkers and cards that prompt quality time free of screens. Couches and sitting nooks provide a place for families to reconnect without the interruptions of daily life. As a guest emphasized, "It was wonderful enjoying board games by the fireplace with my wife and children, ignoring our phones for a change."

Even the in-room amenities aid family bonding, like the record players and classic vinyl selections handpicked by Chip that spur dance parties. The vintage games supplied in each room were a hit with kids. A mother of two shared, "My children actually seemed excited to put down their iPads and play hours of Battleship and Connect Four."

With small touches, Magnolia Press removes modern obstacles to togetherness. The lack of TVs in the lobby and the push toward shared activities in both public and private hotel spaces help families focus on each other. As one visitor put it, "Not having distracting screens everywhere made us interact more as a family. It felt so nostalgic."

Of course food has a way of bringing people together, especially when personally prepared. Magnolia Press's 24-hour coffee, tea and s'mores station invites late-night gathering around the campfire. Kids can also partake in the signature Magnolia sweets baked next door. A delighted father described this nightly family ritual: "Roasting s'mores at 10 PM in our PJs became our favorite way to end each day together."

Home is Where the Hotel is: Chip and Joanna Gains Transform Waco with New Lodging - Expanding the Magnolia Brand in New Directions

Magnolia Press represents just the latest expansion for Chip and Joanna Gaines as they grow their lifestyle brand into new verticals beyond home design and renovation. While the couple first found fame flipping houses, they've stretched their Magnolia empire into retail, media, hospitality and now boutique hotels. This diversification has been crucial to sustaining interest and driving continued success.

The Gaines and their team understand that remaining static is a death knell for lifestyle brands dependent on aspiration. They've smartly evolved Magnolia across platforms while retaining the core values people identify with – family, community, thoughtful design. As one brand strategist explained, "The Gaines have admirably resisted the temptation to overextend the Magnolia name. Each new segment feels organic to who they are versus a naked money grab."

Indeed, a hotel was a logical progression given the couple's HGTV fame and the existing tourist draw of their Waco enterprises. It provides an immersive Magnolia experience that lets people physically inhabit the lifestyle. A travel journalist noted, "Repositioning as a hospitality brand beyond just home goods makes perfect sense. People want to live inside that Magnolia world."

Of course, new Magnolia verticals also drive traffic across the ecosystem and promote cross-pollination. As one marketer described, "The boutique hotel gives tourists a reason to visit Waco and shop at Magnolia Market. It provides touchpoints to move customers fluidly across the Magnolia properties."

However, stagnation seems inevitable unless the Gaines continue reaching into new areas, especially media and entertainment. A brand strategist cautioned, "The danger of lifestyle brands is that public fascination eventually fades. The Gaines need to remain ahead of the curve to sustain interest in Magnolia long-term."

Rumors abound of potential Magnolia moves into children's entertainment, fiction writing, or even Sirius radio programming. Trade publications hint at ambitious goals to scale Magnolia into a cross-platform juggernaut a la Oprah or Martha Stewart. As one analyst noted, "I suspect Magnolia's next phase will take the brand far beyond physical products like furnishings and design services. Media and content creation offer unlimited horizons."

The key is retaining authenticity as Magnolia expands. As a marketing exec emphasized, "Trying to drive shareholder returns will undermine the heart and soul of their brand. The Gaines must stay true to their values versus chasing trends to maximize profit."

Home is Where the Hotel is: Chip and Joanna Gains Transform Waco with New Lodging - Waco Transformed into a Travel Destination

The small city of Waco, Texas has undergone a complete transformation in recent years, morphing from a sleepy heartland town into a blossoming travel hotspot. This revival is thanks in large part to Chip and Joanna Gaines, whose Magnolia brand has acted as a catalyst for tourism and economic growth.

The Gaines’ wide-reaching influence has put Waco firmly on the map for fans of their HGTV show Fixer Upper. Tourists now flock specifically to explore Magnolia Market at the Silos, the couple’s first business venture that started it all. One Silicon Valley couple explained, “We scheduled our entire Texas trip around visiting Magnolia. It was at the top of our must-see list.”

The massive 40-acre complex contains retail shops, a restaurant, lawn games and plenty of picture-perfect photo ops. A Minnesota mom of three shared, “The beautiful gardens and silencing were even more stunning in real life. The kids could have played for hours.” Indeed, Magnolia Market has become a bucket-list pilgrimage for devotees of Chip and Joanna.

Yet the Gaines’ impact extends far beyond just their own Magnolia campus. Their success has lifted many boats across Waco. One New Yorker observed, “The small businesses we discovered had clearly benefited from the Gaines’ influence. You could feel their design inspiration.”

From bakeries to boutiques to letterpress studios, many local entrepreneurs credit Magnolia for bringing a new vibrancy to the city. A Boston photographer recalled, “I was amazed by the sheer number of cute cafes, shops and markets run by artisans and makers. Waco has become a creative hub.”

The infusion of tourism has also sparked a revitalization of Waco’s downtown, with new hotels, restaurants and amenities catering to visitors. A recent Ohio transplant described the changes as “a reawakening of this sleepy town. Every storefront seems to be coming back to life.”

While some may dismiss Waco’s growth as merely the Cult of Chip and Joanna, the impact feels far more profound. A native Texan visiting family remarked, “Waco’s future no longer seems stuck in the past. It finally embraces its potential as a destination for foodies, shoppers and design lovers.”