My Visit to Waco, Texas
travel
For all the fans of HGTV Fixer Upper, this post is for you! Last week I traveled to Waco, Texas for a social media seminar. The week was packed with presentations and I was blessed to meet some wonderful women, who are very successful influencers.
Green Door Lofts
Staying at the Green Door Lofts is a special experience. I really wish I had taken more pictures of our accommodations. Our room is very spacious with a full kitchen, living room, 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. The best part is that I was able to share this space with my two dear friends, Andrea from Design Morsels and Chas from Chas’ Crazy Creations.
Very bohemian in decor, the Green Door Lofts is the ideal place to stay if you are traveling with family or a small group
In addition to the seminar, some of the fun excursions during the week included touring 3 local vacation rental homes. Not only did we meet the owners/proprietors but also learned about the history, restorations and decor strategies of each.
The Morrow House
The first stop is the Morrow House. The 1886 Eastlake gem was weeks away from being demolished and was saved and restored (thankfully!). It has been featured in Cottage Style and Modern Farmhouse magazine. The owner, Kimberly, graciously provided hors d’nerves and cocktails during our tour.
This 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home (sleeps 8) is beautifully appointed and much of the original details and architecture still exist.
For more information about The Morrow House, click here.
South Haven by HavenCraft
The second tour is a series of 3 homes owned by the same individual. Robin and her husband are investing in remodeling homes in Waco and turning them into vacation rentals. Robin and her sister, Bree, collaborate on design and decor. Each rental has its own “theme”. The first one, South Haven, is a sweet blue cottage with a Southern decor vibe.
This 4 bedroom, 3 bath sleeps 10. For more information on the South Haven house, click here.
Haven House
Next, we visited Haven House, also in Waco. Sorry for the different size images~some are mine and some are stock photos from their website.
Beautifully appointed full kitchen.
Lots of wainscoting!
For more information about this 3 bedroom, 3 bath home, click here.
The third property that Robin and Bree are renovating is not finished yet. However, it is a Sherwood Forest theme! These gals are very creative and you can tell that giving guests a special experience is very important to them.
Giveaway!
At the end of our tour, Robin presented all of us with a $100 Voucher off of any of their properties! So if you are planning on going to Waco in the future, and you are interested in the HavenCraft properties (Haven House, South Haven or the soon to be Glen Haven), please let me know. I would love to give this voucher away to someone who will use it! I only have one coupon and it’s good until August 2022.
Just leave a comment after this post and say you want the coupon. If I get more than one request, I will put names in a hat and someone will be the lucky winner!
Market at the Silos
On another day, we went to Magnolia Market at the Silos because you cannot go to Waco, Texas and not see what Chip and Joanna Gaines have contributed to the community. Many of the outdoor spaces are closed due to the virus and fortunately, there was no line to get in.
The store is beautifully merchandised and the selection of faux flowers is quite spectacular. I don’t think we have as many artificial flower suppliers as they do in Waco. You are given a Magnolia bag when you arrive, but we left with them unfilled.
With no crowds, it is easy to get through the store quickly. If you like the farmhouse style (shiplap, chippy paint, beaded chandeliers, signs with heartfelt messages), there are lots of choices here. It is not my jam so the few things that were of interest, I can order online.
Magnolia Bake Shop
The Magnolia Bake Shop had a small line but I am more interested in the lovely window boxes they had on the building, which were filled with succulents.
The weather this time of year in Waco is hot and HUMID. Something this Arizona resident is not used to! It is hard to determine whether you can fill a weekend here, because now many things were closed and tours cancelled.
I am happy I saw the town and met a few business owners who are trying to make a go of it in difficult times. Like most things, the Silos feel bigger on television and I was a bit underwhelmed. It appears that Chip and Joanna are still building new destinations in Waco, which some people like, and others not.
It is truly nice to be back home and sleeping in my own bed! If you missed yesterday’s post about airline travel in these trying times, click here. Have a happy Tuesday and thanks for checking in today.
Several vendors donated supplies and gifts to all participants in the conference. I would like to personally thank all of them for their generosity. If you are ever in Waco, please support these businesses. Many are online. It’s a tough time for so many people. Lending a helping hand may make a difference.
Food and packaged mixes by Sherri at Mad Dash Mixes
Signature Root Beer Float by Heritage Creamery
Popcorn: Waco Blend by Off the Cob
Cookies by Milk Bottle Cookies (which were to die for!)
Coffee by Thirst Coffee
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I liked seeing your pictures of Waco Texas. I’m not a fan of that Farmhouse? look at all but I know everyone has their own take on style…decor. I am glad though Waco has rebounded instead of being lost. I wished alot of towns would be saved.
Nancy, well as one of my other readers stated, it used to be Shabby Chic and now Farmhouse. I personally am not a fan, however some elements of it are fun. There just seems to be so much of it and I do prefer a style that is unique to the individual. Parts of Waco are turning around and I would imagine Chip and Joanna Gaines will need to continue to evolve when Farmhouse goes out of style…but maybe it will just be called something else!! Happy 4th to you!
I love the tour of the homes. Thank you. I have been wanting to go so I’m wondering if the time is right with so many things closed.
Peggy, that’s a good question. The nice part about going now (except the weather) is that it didn’t appear to be crowded. We’ve heard that the lines to the Silos are very long, but we just walked in. The inns and vacation rentals are open too and may be offering lower rates? We were suppose to have a Waco tour (with a bus) but that was cancelled. Maybe going in a smaller group allows more flexibility to see things too. Again, it all depends if you like farmhouse, because there was an abundance of that.
Beautiful post Mary – and it made my whole trip spending time with you too friend 🙂 I cant’ wait until our next hang out! Hugs to you!
I’m still chuckling….
Sounds like super, what particular social media conference we’re you attending.
It was called the Social Gathering Retreat. Originally it was scheduled in early April, but then cancelled due to COVID. Probably about 17 women from various parts of the country. It’s always good to try and learn something new!
The rental homes are really lovely – your photos are beautiful…loved your mini-tour of Waco.
Jeanne, Thank you! Always so great to see you on our Tuesday call.
Oh this sounds like such fun Mary – I SO wish I could have joined you in person, although the virtual seminars were wonderful! The vacation rentals are beautiful and I love the themes. 🙂 Thanks for the great tour. I’d love to go there someday!
The best part was getting to know Andrea and Chas~~and sharing a loft. I feel so grateful to have our Tuesday group call. We must plan a trip for all of us.
So much fun. before I hunker down in the studio this morning. I have seen/read a lot about Waco over the years; but never saw the collection of renovated homes/rentals. The marketer in me loves the rebranding of the “shabby chic” style to “farmhouse!” I do still love it & back in the day that design style was the foundation of my brick and mortar shops. It was so new & “fresh” back in the late 70s!! Thanks again for sharing with us.
Styles and tastes do circle back, don’t they? Yes, shabby chic!!! Oh my! I was surprised to see that dress overalls are back and I still have one in my closet from 25 years ago! I would love someday to hear more about your brick and mortar shops….maybe we should Zoom call!
Just thoroughly enjoyed my coffee and the read. I had no idea that Waco held such magic!!
Shelley Caniglia