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Fixer Upper: The Carriage House at The Magnolia B&B

Chip and Joanna may be miracle workers but, between their home renovations, The Magnolia Market, The Silos and their new B&B, they can't do everything. So they recruited semi-retirees Rob and Marianne Ward as potential managers to run the bed and breakfast. First, though, they'd have to convince the Wards to move into the adjacent carriage house. And before that could happen, they'd have to undertake a major renovation on the carriage house itself.

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March 29, 2016

By: David L. Haynes

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Welcome to the Carriage House

Chip and Joanna had their work cut out for them in the restoration of this carriage house that sits adjacent to Magnolia House B&B. To get it into the shape seen here they'd have to contend with –among other things – termites, ants, asbestos and water damage.

Heart of the Home

An enlarged and updated kitchen becomes a family focal point in the new floor plan and a great place for the Wards to hang out with visiting grandchildren.

Salvaging History

The fireplace in the newly renovated living room was originally in the century-old building next door. It was salvaged, restored and repurposed for use in the carriage house. The newly relocated fireplace is topped off with an antique mantel and surround.

Elegant and Bright

The renovated master bedroom features gray walls, new crown molding, large windows and antique style bed with scalloped frame.

Stylishly Rustic

Joanna's guiding principle in designing for the carriage house was to incorporate as much character as possible and do so in a style that suitably matched that of the recently restored B&B.

Simple and Clean

The new master bath has a clean, fresh look with a palette that includes grays, white, black and wood tones.

Let's Not Forget Shiplap!

The new kitchen gets some trademark Joanna Gaines touches like white shiplap walls and open shelving.

Rachel Whyte

BEFORE

The carriage house was built in 1988 and came with three bedrooms, two baths and 1800 square feet. Clearly the roof and porch were in rough shape, but that only told a fraction of the story. Home inspection and demolition uncovered a number of problems including termite damage, rotted floor joists and the need for asbestos removal.

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

AFTER

The exterior was dramatically transformed with fresh paint, a new wood door, enlarged front porch with new railing, bigger windows, new shutters and a metal roof to coordinate with that of the B&B.

Rachel Whyte

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Removal of a wall opened the kitchen onto the new living space, practically doubled the kitchen's footprint and made room for a large island.

Rachel Whyte

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

The renovated kitchen is laid out with an L-shaped cabinet arrangement and includes new hardwood floors, glass-front upper cabinets, farmhouse sink, new backsplash and sleek black countertops.

Kitchen, AFTER

The kitchen's color palette of white, gray and black is nicely offset by copper fixtures including twin sconces, faucets and drawer hardware.

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Kitchen, Detail

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Kitchen, Detail

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Kitchen, Detail

The kitchen includes an integrated work desk and window-seat bench with additional storage.

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Kitchen, Detail

Rachel Whyte

Living Room, BEFORE

Living and Dining Room, AFTER

A wall was removed to bring more space and light into newly merged dining room and living s[ace. Antique furnishings and wooden corbels bring both a refined look and a visual tie with the interiors at the B&B next door.

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Dining Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

A gas insert was added as part of the upgrade to the antique fireplace and mantel. The existing built-in shelving was removed and replaced by a pair of arched shelf units.

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Living Room, Detail

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Living Room, Detail

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Living Room, Detail

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

The Office, AFTER

Adjacent to the living room is an office space for Rob Ward furnished with a rustic wooden desk, sisal rug and a sliding barn door.

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Office, Detail

Joanna wall-mounted an antique tool bin as a decorative accent and a place to file B&B reservation slips and other paperwork.

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Office, Detail

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Office, Detail

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Office, Detail

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Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

In the bedroom, located just off the kitchen, and entire exterior wall had to be replaced due to termite damage. The completed master bedroom includes a build-out for an added closet, new drywall, new ceiling and enlarged windows.

Master Bedroom, AFTER

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Master Bedroom, Detail

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Master Bedroom, Detail

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Master Bedroom, Detail

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Master Bath, AFTER

An old office space adjacent to the bedroom was converted into a large and luxurious master bath that includes a pedestal tub, large walk-in shower and inset linen closet.

Master Bath, AFTER

Twin vanities on either side of the standalone tub have wooden bases handcrafted by furniture artisan Clint Harp. The bases have hand-turned legs and are stained in a dark finish to provide a warming contrast to the grey walls and white trim.

AFTER

The newly renovated carriage house makes for a worthy addendum to the Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast.

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

AFTER

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

AFTER

Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Chip Gaines, Proprietor

Chip sports his country squire look on the porch of the newly renovated carriage house at Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast.

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Joanna Gaines, Magnolia Mom

Joanna takes a moment's respite and tries out the antique bench on the new front porch.

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Finis

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Afterword

If you enjoyed the carriage house renovation project, we feel pretty certain you'd also like the restoration of the 1880 Victorian that became Magnolia House B&B itself. If you haven't already, check it out here.

Fixer Upper: Renovation and Holiday Decor at Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast