Fixer Upper: Sweet Surprise at the Magnolia Silos

In a special episode of Fixer Upper, Chip and Jo renovate a century-old building at the recently opened Magnolia Silos, helping to fulfill one of Joanna's long-standing ambitions — to open and operate an old-fashioned bakery. Since the start of Fixer Upper's fourth season, we've been hinting that there would be cupcakes. You'll find them here.

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February 14, 2017

By: David L. Haynes

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Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Are You Ready to See the New Bakery?

In a different sort of Fixer Upper reveal, the Gaines kids get to play the role of the "clients" and be the first to see Chip and Joanna's newly completed bakery at Magnolia Silos. Then they get to be the first customers served.

BEFORE

The Flower Shop. The 1500-square-foot brick building, with peeling white paint, had once been home to Rosewood Floral Design Studio, a flower shop where Chip actually used to buy roses for Joanna while they were dating.

AFTER

The Bakery. Though it required some upgrades and repairs, the quaint little building had a lot of history and had secretly been Joanna's favorite part of the Silos property. It was a place where she had envisioned setting up shop for yet another bold endeavor: an old fashioned bakery.

AFTER

"I really want this to feel like this old-world bakery with a lot of charm," said Joanna. The building, which dated to 1890, took about four months to renovate.

AFTER

Joanna first considered sandblasting the brick exterior but ultimately settled on giving it a fresh, bright white exterior with contrasting accents like the black window frames, shutters, ironwork and metal awnings with alternating black and white stripes.

The Courtyard and Patio

One small window toward the rear of the building was relocated to the back wall to make way for the wall mural and shelf for bar seating.

The Courtyard and Patio

The courtyard features a paver patio and bistro tables and chairs for outdoor seating.

Magnolia Market and Bakery

The bakery is situated on the corner of the property, just across from the Magnolia Market home store, and is dramatically framed by the backdrop of the silos.

Magnolia Market and Bakery

Sweet Things Await Within

Joanna decided to retain the ironwork columns at the entrance which, though old, add character and a distinctive accent. Painted black, they tie in visually with the black shutters, exterior sconces, and gooseneck lamps.

Storefront, BEFORE

The building's interior required considerable upgrades including new framing, drywall, insulation and upgrades to the electrical, plumbing and HVAC.

Storefront, AFTER

Joanna opted to retain the exposed brick, beams and raw wood ceilings. The old flooring was removed and replaced with new hardwood floor laid in a distinctive herringbone pattern.

BEFORE

AFTER

"I really want this bakery to have a lot of white and black and some older wood...I want it to feel like it's been around for 100 years."
—Joanna

AFTER

"You know, I think the more and more we peel back the layers, the more and more I'm loving the space because I'm seeing the history of it...I really want this to feel like this old-world bakery with a lot of charm."
—Joanna

Storefront, AFTER

Customers and visitors are greeted by massive open metal shelves behind the counter displaying rows and rows of freshly made cupcakes.

Storefront, AFTER

Astute Fixer Upper fans will appreciate the significance of some of Joanna's cupcake names — like The Classic, The Shiplap, White On White, Nuts & Bolts and The Cup o' Jo.

Storefront, Detail

Furnishings like the counters, built-in shelf unit and this dresser are new, but painted and distressed to give them a vintage look.

Storefront, Detail

Joanna sought out antique doors and recruited the help of woodworking pro Clint Harp to strip them down to bare wood. The wood was left raw and unfinished, highlighting the natural texture and grain.

Bathroom, BEFORE

Bathroom, AFTER

The bathroom was updated to tie in visually with the rest of the space. White subway tiles for the walls, patterned floor tiles and natural wood keep the look clean and classic. Custom pressed-tin ceiling tiles were created for the bathroom by a friend in Hillsboro, TX. Old, reclaimed corrugated tin is flattened then pressed with a decorative pattern and painted.

Bathroom, Detail

An antique wall-mounted bathroom sink gets dressed up with contrasting black hardware.

The Tao of Cupcakes

A sign in the bakery offers a philosophical view on the soul of the cupcake.

Test Kitchen

Back in the kitchen at Magnolia Farms, Joanna tries out numerous recipes and combinations in an effort to hone the selection of cupcakes and pastries to be offered at the new bakery. Chip generously offers to assist.

Test Kitchen

"So not only am I trying to figure out the design and finalize that so we stay on schedule, [but] there's a whole other element — the menu. It's taking some time and some thought and some trial and error... I think I've tasted more cupcakes in the last month than I have in my entire life."
—Joanna

Test Kitchen

The Classic

One of Joanna's signature cupcakes is "The Classic" — with chocolate cake topped with buttercream icing and a tiny mangolia leaf.

The Classic

The Almond Carre

Decisions, Decisions

The Finished Space

"I think, for me, the inspiration was, I wanted this thing to feel like it had been here all along. I didn't want the renovations to take away from the history of that building. And I feel like, when you walk in, it really feels like this place has been here for 100 years."
— Joanna

The Finished Space

Lovin' Spoonfuls

The Proprietors

Cupcake Aftermath

Patio and Courtyard

Joanna particularly wanted to define the courtyard space and give it its own character. "It's going to be the little shining star," she said.

Patio and Courtyard

A brick paver patio and outdoor furnishings in black and white stand out proudly against the patina of the silos behind.

Magnolia Skyline

Touch of Color

The Bakery at The Silos

"It's the dream I had in my mind 15 years ago and so, when I'm in that space, I really feel like it really is a dream come true."
—Joanna

Home Goods. Baked Goods. All Good.

If you enjoyed this extra-special Fixer Upper project, we think you'd also like this one: The Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast.

Fixer Upper

Fixer Upper: Sweet Surprise at the Magnolia Silos

Shop This Look

Are You Ready to See the New Bakery?

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER

The Courtyard and Patio

The Courtyard and Patio

Magnolia Market and Bakery

Magnolia Market and Bakery

Sweet Things Await Within

Storefront, BEFORE

Storefront, AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

Storefront, AFTER

Storefront, AFTER

Storefront, AFTER

Storefront, Detail

Storefront, Detail

Bathroom, BEFORE

Bathroom, AFTER

Bathroom, Detail

Bathroom, Detail

The Tao of Cupcakes

Test Kitchen

Test Kitchen

Test Kitchen

Test Kitchen

Test Kitchen

The Classic

The Classic

The Almond Carre

Decisions, Decisions

Decisions, Decisions

Decisions, Decisions

The Finished Space

The Finished Space

The Finished Space

Lovin' Spoonfuls

The Proprietors

The Proprietors

Cupcake Aftermath

Patio and Courtyard

Patio and Courtyard

Magnolia Skyline

Magnolia Skyline

Touch of Color

The Bakery at The Silos

Home Goods. Baked Goods. All Good.

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