Magnolia Market at the Silos – Waco, TX

I have a confession: I don’t even watch the show.

However, it is a testament to the popularity of what Chip and Joanna Gaines have created in Magnolia Market that people like me, who have never even seen the hit tv show Fixer Upper will drive an hour and half or more to go visit it. It is amazing what they have done for the city of Waco, and I appreciate that.

In addition, it is just gorgeous.

The branding alone will blow your mind.  It is the essence of clean simplicity, being black and white and text-driven, no frills, no fuss. In fact, what strikes you immediately upon entering the market is the sheer cleanliness of the place. Everything is staged against a backdrop of white. Not doctor’s office white, but soft, worn white; broken in, and homey.  It feels orderly, while at the same time brimming with beautiful, farmhouse wares. There is a lot of natural wood, and black accents throughout to offset all that creamy white.

Housed in a converted industrial space, the market retains its utilitarian feel. There’s no doubt that the whole place has been “upcycled”. It’s a reminder that you can work with whatever environment you have and obtain beautiful results.

It’s an interesting juxtaposition of rustic, yet expensive. They definitely know what they’ve got going there. Both times I’ve been, I went on a Thursday mid-day, and the place was packed with people eager to pay whatever the going rates were for flour sack tea towels ($14) and chunky ceramic mugs ($24) and t shirts ($26) bearing the Magnolia brand.

I’d slap anyone who wiped their hands on my $14 tea towel.

Just kidding. I didn’t buy any. But they were pretty. They had vintage seed packet images of flowers and vegetables on them.

Part of the reason that the place is so beautiful and shoppable are the vignettes. This is a genius bit of marketing at work. You feel less like you’re in a store and more like you’re wandering through the home of a stylish friend you don’t want to admit you envy desperately.

It’s the same concept realtors use when staging homes. Staged homes nearly always sell for more than unstaged ones; it gives the potential buyer the ability to envision themselves living an idealized, stylish way. There is nothing to look past, no clutter. There’s no need to rely on the buyer to find a reason they need the product. The fantasy of “You could be living this way” is presented to you without question. You’re buying a lifestyle, not a basket/clock/book.

I admit that I may be a little biased because I have a hard-core crush on those colorful books you see dressing up the displays in the Market. They are Penguin cloth bound classics and they are seriously gorgeous. You can find them on Amazon. Drool-worthy.

They suit the rest of the modern re-take on vintage you see throughout the place.

Texas is big on its food trucks, and there are always several parked around the little patch of green behind Magnolia. There are lots of beautiful places to sit out there, as well. They don’t want you to leave, after all.

My fancy grilled cheese was great, but the real treat and my favorite part of my visit to Magnolia was by far their bakery.

There’s usually a line out the door, but it moves quickly and it is SO worth it.

Just place your order with the sweet staff at one end of the counter…good luck choosing!

Here’s the other end of the counter, where you pick up your delicious goodies, all packaged in adorable Magnolia style. Seriously, the branding here is unreal. And good for them, I say, because it is really well done and absolutely charming.

More lovely images from my day at Magnolia.

Sigh.

See you in Waco.

Note: This is not a sponsored post. Chip and Joanna have no idea who I am. Links provided in this post are purely meant to be helpful.