Everyone knows the look. You’ve seen the white oak floors, the sprawling porch, and the black window frames that launched a thousand suburban imitators. But the actual Chip and Joanna house—the famous "Farmhouse" in Crawford, Texas—is a lot more than just a set for Fixer Upper. It’s a real, lived-in space that has survived four kids, then five, and over a decade of intense public scrutiny.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how one single property changed the entire trajectory of American interior design.
When they bought the place in 2012, it was a wreck. It was basically a tiny, two-bedroom farmhouse sitting on 40 acres of land that looked like it hadn't seen a paintbrush since the Nixon administration. They didn't even move in right away. Chip and Jo spent about a year and a half flipping it while living in various other properties. If you go back to the early seasons of the show, you can see the progress in the background. It wasn't some instant mansion. It was a slow, messy process.
The Reality of the Farmhouse Layout
The house isn't as massive as it looks on TV. It’s about 1,700 square feet originally, though they’ve added onto it over the years to accommodate their growing family. Most people assume celebrity homes are these 10,000-square-foot behemoths, but the Gaineses have always been vocal about "living small" even when they have the means to go huge.
The main floor is where the magic happens. You’ve got the open kitchen with that massive island—which is actually an old laboratory table, by the way—and the living area where the kids do homework.
One thing people get wrong? The shiplap.
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It isn't just a decorative choice they made for the cameras. When they started peeling back the wallpaper and drywall in the original structure, they found actual pine shiplap used as the structural sheathing. Joanna didn't "invent" the trend; she just decided not to cover it back up. It was a budget-saving move that turned into a multi-billion dollar aesthetic.
Why the Attic Suite Matters
The primary bedroom is up in the attic. It’s this cozy, cramped-but-intentional space that feels totally separate from the chaos of the downstairs. They used a lot of soft whites and raw woods up there. It’s a masterclass in how to use "dead space" in an old house. If you’re looking at your own attic thinking it’s just for Christmas decorations, the Chip and Joanna house is the ultimate proof that you can turn a dusty crawlspace into a sanctuary.
Staying in Crawford vs. Moving to the Castle
For a long time, rumors swirled that they were leaving the farmhouse.
When they bought Cottonland Castle in Waco, everyone figured they were packing their bags. But they didn't. They renovated the castle—which took three years and was a total nightmare of permit issues and structural decay—but they kept it as a project and a showpiece. The farmhouse remains home.
There’s a level of authenticity there that’s rare in the "influencer" world. They’ve stuck to that plot of land in Crawford.
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They did, however, add a massive garden and a "garden house." It’s basically a greenhouse-meets-potting-shed that looks better than most people’s actual homes. This is where Joanna spends most of her downtime. It’s got fireplace-heated floors and custom cabinetry. It sounds fancy, and it is, but it’s functional. She actually grows food there.
The Evolution of the Farmhouse Style
If you look at the house today versus 2013, the style has shifted.
The "clutter" is gone.
Early Joanna Gaines was very "shabby chic"—lots of oversized clocks, metal letters, and distressed birdcages. Today, the Chip and Joanna house is much more "Modern English Countryside." Think darker woods, unlacquered brass, and way more greenery. It’s matured.
- The Kitchen: Swapped some of the lighter woods for deeper tones.
- The entryway now features a more sophisticated mudroom setup to handle the boots and coats of five kids.
- Outside, the "farm" part of the farmhouse has expanded to include goats, chickens, and horses.
The property is a working farm. It’s messy. There’s mud. Chip often posts videos of the "behind the scenes" that show the reality of maintaining 40 acres, and it isn't always pretty. It’s a lot of fence mending and dealing with broken tractors.
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Can You Actually Visit the Chip and Joanna House?
In a word: No.
And honestly, you shouldn't want to. It’s a private residence. While Magnolia Market at the Silos is only about 20 minutes away in downtown Waco, the farmhouse location is kept relatively quiet for the sake of the kids.
There was a period where fans would drive out there and try to take photos by the gate. Don't be that person. The Gaineses have had to beef up security significantly over the last few years because of the "Fixer Upper" mania.
If you want the experience, go to the Silos. Or better yet, book a stay at The Magnolia House in McGregor or Hillcrest Estate. Those are properties they own and designed specifically for fans to live out their shiplap dreams. They aren't the house, but they use the exact same paint colors (usually Sherwin Williams "Alabaster") and furniture from their Magnolia Home line.
Lessons for Your Own "Fixer Upper"
You don't need a 40-acre farm in Texas to get this vibe. The biggest takeaway from the Chip and Joanna house isn't about the specific furniture—it's about the philosophy of the "story."
- Don't fight the house. If you have an old house, find its bones. If it’s shiplap, keep it. If it’s brick, leave it exposed.
- Function first. The farmhouse works because it fits their lifestyle. The big table is for big meals. The garden is for growing food. If you don't use a formal dining room, turn it into a library.
- Neutral isn't boring. The farmhouse is almost entirely neutral, but it uses texture (linen, wood, stone) to keep it from feeling like a hospital.
The Chip and Joanna house is more than just a real estate asset. It’s the epicenter of a brand that redefined the American home. It’s a reminder that even the most broken-down, two-bedroom shack can become something iconic if you’ve got a bit of vision and a whole lot of white paint.
To bring a bit of the Crawford farmhouse into your own space, start by auditing your lighting. The Gaineses almost always swap out standard builder-grade fixtures for oversized, industrial, or antique-inspired lanterns. It’s the fastest way to change the "weight" of a room without knocking down walls. Also, consider "zoning" your outdoor space. Even a small backyard can feel like a farm if you designate a specific spot for a raised garden bed or a fire pit. Focus on the "flow" of your main living area—clear out the extra furniture that blocks the path between the kitchen and the couch. That's the secret to the open-concept feel they popularized.