Hi Friends!
I hope you all had a great weekend!
A couple of weeks ago (as some of you know), I spent a few days down in Waco visiting one of my favorite spots – Magnolia and the Silos. During my trip, I ventured to the Magnolia Castle with my mom and girlfriends and discovered firsthand why this place is so special! The castle was my favorite part of our Waco trip!
If you can’t view the photos on this blog, click here.
Although the castle first began to be built in 1890, it didn’t reach any sort of completion until 1913. From this time to 1977, the property and castle structure thrived and in 1977, under the guidance of its owner, the castle received historical designation. Unfortunately, during the 1990’s until 2019, the castle wasn’t well maintained, causing damage and the need for great repair. That’s when the heroes of our story (hint, that’s Chip and Joanna) stepped in and purchased the castle. And, of course, their main mission: to restore the castle to its intended glory! To learn more about the castle and the story behind its renovation, click here.
Although I had seen enough pictures, watched plenty of videos, and dreamed plenty of dreams to feel like I had been there already, I realized quickly that there was no way everything I viewed or dreamed could capture the magnificence of the castle and the experience it gives you!
One thing that left a big impression is that the design throughout is careful to maintain the integrity of the original structure, even its earliest iterations from 1890. While I love the style we now so quickly associate with the dynamic Gaines duo (who doesn’t love all things Magnolia?!), I appreciate that this project displays the value of keeping the history of the castle in tact, even down to the design elements and choices. Here are a few of my favorite photos that I took during our trip.
It was not surprising to find special moments around every corner, but as soon as I walked into the dining room I was just amazed! The level of detail is outstanding, and I LOVE that the vibe is completely moody! From the wallpaper selection to the painted black ceiling, guests at this table must feel completed enraptured by the moody colors and the dark atmosphere, exhibiting the perfect touch of ambiance.
Because the style of the castle is so very different from the many projects completed by Magnolia, during the process, Joanna Gaines developed a full line of paint colors to complete every room. Though encompassing a range of colors, including a family of white tones, this line is rich and full of deep tones, giving a beautiful nod to the history and story of this enchanting structure. Check out the full line here.
Also, while we were there, we ate at a fabulous Italian restaurant nearby. Characterized by authentic Italian cuisine, Moroso more than delivered on service and taste! It is an ABSOLUTE MUST when visiting Waco! Below our some pics of the yummy dishes we ordered: Ravioli Di Zucca, a delicious butternut squash ravioli with sage, & classic wood fired pizza, Margherita style!
I want to give my girls a big shout out for being my traveling buddies and happy companions during our visit and tour of the castle! I would do it again in a heartbeat!
And in case you missed it, this is not my first trip to Waco, in fact it is my 7th trip : ) In a recent blog post, I shared all about our stay at the Gathering Oaks Retreat Center and announced that I’m considering doing ladies Waco Trip for any FunCycled fan in early 2025 and renting out the whole retreat center!! To read the full blog, click here. AND If you’d be interested in learning more about this, and being on the email list for more detailed information, please fill out this form.
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Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)
