Fixer Upper: Stay In A Classic Mansion Renovated By Joanna And Chip Gaines

Have you ever watched Joanna and Chip Gaines on "Fixer Upper" and wished you could spend a few nights in one of the Waco, Texas homes they've renovated so beautifully? Luckily, there are several of these homes you can rent on Airbnb and VRBO. The list includes one particularly impressive mansion called the Gorman House. The property, boasting more than 3,000 square feet of living space (as noted on VRBO), was tackled by the Gaines' in a S1 episode called "Embracing Revitalization," so it's one you might remember if you're a long-time fan of the show. 

This historic home accommodates as many as 10 to 12 guests since it has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and one half bath. When they took on the Gorman House, the "Fixer Upper" power couple had quite a task ahead of them. The property had sat unattended for so long it was dilapidated. "We've fixed up a lot of condemned-looking houses, but this was one of the worst...," as noted by Joanna Gaines in an HGTV feature. One of the best parts of staying in a "Fixer Upper" house is seeing all the renovations inside the home instead of just looking at the exterior as many fans do while visiting Waco. After all, there's no better way to learn how to decorate your home like Joanna Gaines than to see it yourself in person.

Chip and Joanna Gaines began by clearing out messy bushes and overgrown trees to reveal the front of the Gorman House before completely reconstructing the wraparound porch and giving the home a coat of fresh paint. When they moved indoors, the kitchen was one of the rooms that badly needed an overhaul. Removing a wall gave them space to work with, and adding structural support beams bolstered security. They also took out the old tile and vinyl flooring and replaced it with updated wood floors and lighter-colored tile that opened up the space. A custom island gave back some of the storage space that got lost to a new window over the sink. 

Wherever possible, original materials were kept. For example, the original oak flooring in the living room was sanded and stained instead of being replaced. They also pleasantly discovered shiplap under the living room wallpaper that could be left in place and painted white. "A lot of people spend money to recreate that look," Joanna Gaines shared through HGTV. "But in this house, it was right there, so we kept it." Especially if you're renovating an older home like this, you can glean some ideas knowing the ever-classic Gorman House doesn't include any of the once-trendy design trends Chip and Joanna Gaines avoid. Key takeaways include renovating to add light and modern conveniences while keeping as many original elements in place as possible through restoration.