The Silos: I Came for the Inspiration, i left with Something More

What a weekend in Waco taught me about big dreams, unexpected detours, and trusting the journey.

Sweet Magnolia! I finally made it!

I went to Waco expecting beautiful spaces, a little shopping, some good food, and some design inspiration to finally make a few decisions about my own home. What I didn’t expect was to leave thinking about my life, my dreams and how much faith it takes to build something meaningful.

I’ve followed Chip and Joanna Gaines since the early days of Fixer Upper. Like so many others, I’ve watched their little renovation business grow into something extraordinary. But standing in the spaces they’ve created and hearing the stories behind them reminded me of something we often forget: we usually see the finished product, not everything it took to get there.

So this year, I turned 42 and leading up to it, like every year, Ryan asked, “what do you want to do for your birthday?” and I said, like clockwork, “Nothing. I just want a quiet weekend!” And believe me, I meant it. It wasn’t some sort of a trick to see what he and the kids could come up with. I have been truly exhausted so I planned for no work and lots of cozying up in my room with good book.

In the days leading up to my birthday, Ryan asked if I had any plans for the two days I took off of work and I told him I had a few appointments but that’s about it. He then told me to pack my bags because we were headed to the Silos! WHAT?!!! I felt like a small child being told they were going to Disney to meet Mickey Mouse! I couldn’t believe it and it took me a minute to process it. But that’s what we were doing!

I had three days to pack my bags and of course, I had to make sure I packed nice clothes just in case Chip and Jo happened to be walking down the street while we were there and asked us over for dinner. (Does anyone else get delusional like this? just me? okay, nevermind!)

Seeing this in person gave me more than I bargained for

I don’t know what I was expecting with this experience but it far exceeded every expectation I had. Ryan scheduled the Castle Tour on the first day and the tour was incredible (and the Tour Guide was fantastic!)

I remember when they purchased this and over the years seeing some of the images on my tv screen, but the story behind it all really brought another life to what I thought I knew. Everything from where the tile came from to the prints on the wall had a specific story and was met with so much intention. How many times do we take the opportunity to understand the history of our design choices or even create it’s own history when we make a decision?

There was one particular room that stood out to me and without telling the whole story (you really do need to see for yourself), I’ll share why. It was a drawing room that taught me an entirely new way to think about colors, furniture, and the way you want a room to feel when putting it all together. What a masterclass!

And it did something else for me. It made me realize that I’ve spent so much time thinking about what I want my home to look like that I sometimes forget to think about what I want it to feel like. A beautiful room is one thing, but a room that tells a story? That’s something entirely different. And that’s what I want to create in my own home, one room at a time.

We started day two at Press Coffee Co. and I enjoyed a Campfire latte. YUM!

The Part of Success We Don’t See

The Magnolia tour was special. We got to hear more about the journey of how it all started. It’s easy to see these household names and brand that we know today and believe that it’s a bit of luck! But we don’t see where it started with a flower shop, a houseboat, and many detours over the course of decades.

We ended this tour with what I would call a moment that alters your brain chemistry and that was a visit to Chip’s original office. This wasn’t just some boring office with a bit of furniture and a few filing cabinets. This room was the visual representation of a life well lived and served.

We got a special treat with a recording of Chip taking us through the moments that have mattered to him and Jo over the years. He explained all of the pictures and magazine covers on the wall and gave us a narrative of how different people and occasions changed their life. All of those things contributed to this incredible pair that we’ve all come to know and love today but there is something to be said about anchoring to faith, trusting your story even when you have only 50 viewers and good old fashioned time.

We see the beautiful homes, the thriving businesses, the magazine covers, and the success. What we don’t always see are the years of uncertainty, the projects that didn’t work out, the doors that closed, and the moments when giving up might have seemed easier. Success is like an iceberg. We admire the part that is visible without realizing how much exists beneath the surface.

What I Took Home

We were at the Silos for a total of three days. I visited with the intention of seeing it all in person and maybe getting a souvenir or three (which I 100% did). But I got far more than I bargained for. Visiting Magnolia and the Silos gave me a renewed energy that I needed in this very moment of time. It felt like a trip that was perfectly placed in my lap where at the surface, it was a good reminder of the importance of creating a beautiful life, chasing big dreams, and finding a story in the unexpected.

But it was even more than that. It was a reminder that good things take time and require patience and FAITH! And maybe that’s the reminder that I needed the most. We all have a story to tell but you don’t have to have everything figured out today. Sometimes you have to slow down, trust the process, and have faith that the work you’re doing today is preparing you for something you can’t quite see yet.

My favorite quote that I will always remember .

Have you ever visited somewhere expecting one thing and left with a completely different perspective? I’d love to hear about it!