Inside Chip and Joanna’s PRICEY Castle Restoration

Fixer Upper's biggest ever renovation

Chip and Joanna Gaines know all about transforming diamonds in the rough, having renovated countless forlorn homes on their hit TV show Fixer Upper. So when they announced that they'd bought a 100-year-old castle in their hometown of Waco, Texas, we couldn't wait to see the results. Documented on the show Fixer Upper: The Castle, Chip and Joanna undertook a painstaking three-year renovation. Now, as they prepare to bring the completed castle up for auction, we can take a tour of the newly restored property. Click or scroll on to take a look...

Cottonland Castle

Known as Cottonland Castle, the historic home is a local landmark – one that Chip and Joanna had long admired. "This castle is one of the most impressive properties in the entire Waco, Central Texas area and I've wanted it for two decades now," Chip says in the show’s trailer. In the winter 2019 issue of Magnolia Journal, Joanna discussed how purchasing the property had been their dream, but securing the castle had been a difficult and lengthy journey. 

Seeing its potential

In fact, the couple waited for almost 20 years, putting in offers whenever the German-style castle was listed for sale. However, they always missed out. "Chip saw the beauty and potential in this place years earlier than I did, but he never gave up, and because of that, we now get to make this castle beautiful again," Joanna wrote. We don't know how much they paid for the place, but according to Realtor's listing history, the property has been on and off the market many times over the years, for as little as $299,900 and as much as $425,000 more recently. 

Forlorn and forgotten

Built in 1913, the 6,700-square-foot abandoned castle had stood empty for more than a decade and was in a sorry state when Chip and Joanna finally got their hands on it. However, aside from its crumbling ceilings, damaged plasterwork, damp issues and leaking roof, it hadn't changed much since its construction. Taking a look at the rooms before Chip and Joanna got their hands on them, it isn't difficult to see why the couple was so keen to save this beautiful home.

Years of neglect

With four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, the fairytale castle benefitted from a nine-foot oak front door, stunning mahogany woodwork and eight grand fireplaces. But, as is usually the case with period renovations, the project turned out to be even bigger than the Gaineses had anticipated, thanks to decades of damage and neglect. Over six episodes of Fixer Upper: The Castle, viewers watched as Chip and Joanna went from room to room, slowly turning the castle from a crumbling wreck into a magnificent family home. 

Sensitive renovation

As well as repairing anything that needed fixing, the couple also retained as many of the home's original features as possible, including the interior wood paneling. They carefully restored the intricate plasterwork, replaced any broken windows with historic replicas and spent significant time sourcing the right materials for the job. Their main aim was to ensure the castle felt as accurate to its original time period as possible.

Honouring history

Of course, the interior design also had to be carefully considered, so that nothing looked out of place. Everything from the tiles used in the bathrooms to the flooring needed to be in keeping with the home's history. In fact, in episode three Joanna is seen developing brand-new paint colors, inspired by the castle's one-hundred-year history. 

Getting it right

One of the biggest challenges for the couple was sourcing the exterior elements. "Getting the same exact stone from 100 years ago has been a challenge," Joanna said. Nestled on just under an acre of land, the home has a covered terrace and an imposing frontage, so the stonework, windows and other detailing needed to be done right. Episode three showed how Chip dealt with the exterior stone walls and how the result dramatically advanced the renovation. You can watch the exterior transformation on the Magnolia Network's YouTube channel.

The finished product

If you haven't watched the show yet, we don't want to give too much away, but it's safe to say that Chip and Joanna's three-year restoration project has been highly successful – just look at the exterior now! We don't know how much was spent on the job, but according to the Waco Tribune-Herald, a contractor who worked on the castle for the previous owner estimated that an extensive renovation would cost between $600,000 and $1 million. 

Brought back to life

As for the interior, well it's even more stunning than we expected. In the formal dining room (pictured here), the incredible stone fireplace has been lovingly rescued, while the gorgeous woodwork has been brought back to life. Finished with sympathetic flooring, paintwork and lighting, as well as antique-inspired furnishings, Cottonland Castle is now a stunning historic home fit for modern life. Ready to take a look around? 

The stately dining room

When renovating the home, Chip and Joanna paid special care to restoring the Honduran mahogany paneling, Caen stone, and Carrara marble, all of which is on particularly spectacular display in the stately dining room. Seemingly fit for a Tudor lord, the space boasts an ornately carved stone fireplace, two dramatic chandeliers, and glossy mahogany paneling and complimentary floors.

A more casual dining space

If the meal is a little more casual than a state banquet, the castle also includes a less formal dining space, with plush leather chairs, a circular granite slab table, and a tiled fireplace. This room, too, boasts rich mahogany wall paneling, but the space is rendered more modern than its formal counterpart by a contemporary light fixture, and softened by the addition of a cozy rug.

A gourmet kitchen

The home’s spectacular kitchen, meanwhile, is a true showpiece, blending classic, elegant design with state-of-the-art appliances to create a gourmet’s paradise. Here, the mahogany paneled walls are offset by brilliant white cabinetry, and accented by burnished gold hardware. Two different marble-topped butcher’s block islands provide extra work surfaces, or social gather spaces for keeping the chef company.

Rustic yet elegant

The kitchen’s opposite wall features contrasting sage green cabinetry, a classic farmhouse sink, and a spice shelf stacked with aesthetically pleasing storage containers in classic Magnolia style. Mahogany window frames and copper accents marry the two colour palettes, while helping to create an elegant yet rustic feel throughout the space.

Country-style accents

Nestled in a custom nook along one white-tiled wall is a vintage-looking full range stove with brass finishes. Next to it, a custom cabinet sits behind a set of glass and mahogany shuttered doors, enhancing the country-kitchen aesthetic.

19th-century details

While the castle was completed in 1913, construction actually began back in 1890, and as a result, the interior still features several details which date to the late 19th century. The Gaineses put extensive effort into highlighting these details during the renovation, paying homage to the building’s heritage. “The plan for the castle is to finally, after decades, bring this property back to its original rightful honorable glory,” Chip Gaines said in the first Fixer Upper episode.

A blend of classic and contemporary

However, the post-renovation home also feels airy and modern, with bright living spaces and plenty of light from the diamond-pane windows, which are a feature throughout the castle. With soft gray paneled walls, sleek contemporary furnishings and fixtures, and a neutral colour palette, the living room is an excellent example of how the Gaineses brought the castle into the 21st century. However, the home’s period accents can still be found in the ornate moldings, stately fireplace, and hardwood floors.

The mini library

The duo also added a charming mini library, where favorite reads can be accessed by means of a traditional rolling library ladder. Just opposite the wall of shelves, a plush reading nook provides the perfect place to curl up with a favorite book.

The master bedroom

Another highlight of the renovation are the four bedrooms, including a truly spectacular master suite. The master bedroom blends classic design with modern taste, and features William Morris-inspired wallpaper, a sage-green velvet headboard, and burnished brass accents.

A bonus living room

The master bedroom also boasts an adjoining private living room, the perfect place to retire at the end of the day with a glass of wine and a good book. The cozy space includes a spacious sectional sofa, which also means there’s plenty of room to invite the whole family in for a movie night instead.

Spa-style ensuite

Next door, the spa-style ensuite is a true showpiece, with a freestanding soaking tub, double vanities, and spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Forrest green wall paneling and dark marble combine for a striking yet sophisticated finish. The home boasts a total of three-and-a-half bathrooms, all finished to an equally elegant standard.

Headed to auction

The other bedrooms are equally beautiful, two fitted with double beds, and the third with two singles, ideal for kids. Look like someplace you’d be willing to call home? Well, you would have had to have your paddle ready. Since the renovation was completed and more than move-in ready, the castle went to auction in July with Concierge Auctions, with no reserve. While it was previously on the market priced at $2.9 million, it’s impossible to say how much the property sold for, with approved bidders to submit a $100,000 deposit and show proof of funds. The ultimate fixer upper has since disappeared from listings, so we look forward to finding out what happened to the castle in the end...

Awaiting the highest bidder

“The castle is historic and it also has been redesigned and renovated, and so the value of the property is very difficult to define,” said Laura Brady of Concierge Auctions. “It’s going to be worth what the highest bidder is willing to bid.” With 1.6 acres, 6,000 square feet of living space, not to mention the prestige of the Gaines’ brand, that could prove to be quite a hefty sum. Bidding opens on the 20 July and closes on the 27. In Waco, the median sale price was $250,650 in June, down 23.7% since last year, according to Redfin but we're guessing this fairytale castle would have sold for a little more.

Spooky additions?

New owners may even get a bit more than they bargained for, as Chip and Joanna have been fairly confident that the home is haunted since they discovered a pile of cow bones in the basement during the renovation! When the remains were discovered, Chip turned to his wife and asked her if she thought this meant ghosts. “One hundred percent,” she replied. You can watch the full transformation on the Magnolia Network.

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