Joanna Gaines Shares the Waco Castle’s Original Details that She and Chip Restored (Including 2 Dreamy Fireplaces)

When Joanna and Chip Gaines finally purchased Cottonland Castle in Waco, Texas, they knew they had a tough job ahead of them. Rotted floorboards, cracked masonry, and a jungle of a landscape waited for them behind the doors of the castle when they first bought the place back in 2019. But the castle project has always been about restoration rather than renovation, and in a February 12 Instagram post, Jo shared some of her favorite original details that she and Chip were able to keep in the home, adding so much to the charm and character of the historic site. 

“Just a few of the Castle’s original details that we were able to keep & restore,” Joanna captioned her post.

The built-in china cabinet in the kitchen was able to be salvaged and restored, as was the impressive fireplace in the dining room. The transom windows were also kept and restored in these spaces, as was the original hardwood floor in the dining room. All it needed was a good refinish.

In the primary bedroom, Chip and Jo were able to save the original fireplace (including the mirror installed above it) and diamond-paned windows. And in the girls’ bedroom, Gaines shows how they painted and retiled the stunning fireplace and mantle. 

And perhaps what’s most impressive is that the Gaineses were able to keep most of the original woodworking. Jo shares a photo from inside a room that is top-to-bottom wood panelling, all of which was restored and refinished. They also refurbished the original front door, complete with castle-worthy brass studs, as well as the entire wood-panelled front entryway and stairwell. 

The Cottonland Castle project was not only an opportunity for Chip and Jo to really show off their design and craftsmanship skills, but it was an opportunity to breathe new life back into a historic home without removing any of the original beauty. And the presence of so many original details proves they did just that.