Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you dig deeper, it’s really how it works.
Steve Jobs
Most people would say that going to the town of Waco, Texas, home of the Chip and Joanna Gaines “fixer uppers,” would be treat enough, but while searching for a place to stay, we not only FOUND a treat, we STAYED in one!
While I was searching AirBnB for available spaces to rent, this site popped into my browser. And it looked familiar. Very familiar. As it should have been.
The house belongs to Leslie Saeta, a trendsetter of home decor through My 100 Year Old Home, a blog I’ve been following for quite some time as well as Leslie’s Instagram account. And I’ve watched as this California resident purchased a home in need of renovation in Waco, Texas, to transform into a star rental through AirBnb. With one quick check to see if was available — it was! — I hurtled downstairs telling Bert that we (along with my sister and brother-in-law) would be staying in the home known on the internet as My 100 Year Old Waco Home! (I think there was a leap in the kitchen right after that!!)
What we found when we arrived was even more creative than what was shown online. I’m guessing (don’t really know for sure) that the style is called “farmhouse” with its white walls, original floors and ceiling, open concept, and practical uses for vintage and industrial objects. But whatever it’s called, Leslie in California and her partner Kelly in Waco have made it a memorable, treat worthy place to enjoy.
Recognizing the need is the primary condition for design.
Charles Eames
As you can see, the renovation offered us much to talk about while we enjoyed the comfort, but it was the “little things” that made a big impression — and expanded the treat that this whole house was. Here are some of the “found” items that now have a second life, thanks to the creativity of Leslie and Kelly.
If you’re planning a trip to Waco, see if My 100 Year Old Waco Home is available from AirBnB. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped right into a real live “fixer upper” — which you have, of course. And you, too, will be saying, “What a treat!”
Travel safely and look for shiplap and chippy paint,
Rusha
Future posts on what we saw in Waco are forthcoming, but thanks to blogger/photographer Tina Schell (Travels and Trifles) for sharing this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #120 — What a Treat! with all of us. (Her photos of wild animals and the photo tips in her post this week are golden, so I invite you to check it out.) If you’d like to participate, be sure to tag your post Lens-Artists and link here to Tina’s photographic treat for all of us this week.
Pingback: Tiny retail shops and The Old Church: Magnolia expands in Waco – Oh, the Places We See . . .
Rebecca Cuningham
I met my husband in Austin, Texas. We love Texas bungalows. Thanks for the great photos of the cozy B&B!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. You may like to see my post on where we stayed in Waco. The owner writes a blog and is on Instagram (my100yearoldhouse). Here’s the link: https://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2020/10/26/lens-artists-photo-challenge-120-what-a-treat-in-waco/
Rebecca Cuningham
Yes, Texas has beautiful b and b’s!
thewonderer86
I love it all, but the porch is fantastic. What a find!
Oh, the Places We See
I agree! We sat on that porch in the evening until the mosquitoes became unbearable. But it was definitely a Southern treat!
Betty Sue Sparks
What an inviting, welcoming home! I want to stay there next time. Isn’t Waco fun? We enjoyed the shopping, the scenery and couldn’t seem to get enough of the barbeque. I fell in love with the Gruene Dance Hall in New Braunfels and Doug said we couldn’t come home until we stopped to see “Willie ‘n Wayland and the boys” in Luckenbach.
Oh, the Places We See
Oh, my. You have now given me two more places to visit: New Braunfels and Luckenbach. There is a water park near or in New Braunfels that we enjoyed with our families, but I’ve only heard of Luckenbach through song! The house was fascinating. Since I love antiques, it was fun seeing how so many items were re-purposed. Travel in the U. S. has its advantages. Thanks for commenting.
Sylvia Bacon
I really enjoyed your tour of this lovely old house, Rusha. It looks so inviting and much to see!
Oh, the Places We See
It really was straight out of a magazine! The owner has good taste and a great imagination. We loved staying there.
Amy
How special. So much work they put into this 100 Year Old Home, beautifully done.
What a treat, indeed!
Oh, the Places We See
The work really does show. So pretty. Thanks for commenting, Amy.
Dawn M. Miller
What a treat, indeed!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for taking a look! The decorating ideas were amazing!
Dawn M. Miller
Yes, I see that!
rajkkhoja
Wonderful place. Beautiful photos. I like.
Nancy Stanley
What a perfect place to stay! Love reading about your travels ❤️
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for being a reader! It was a fun stay. We explored every room, every antique. I’d love to re-do a house, if I were younger and had more energy!
Vandy Leake
What a fun house! So interesting to see how familiar things were used in different ways.
Keep traveling …. love to see all the special places and things you find!
Oh, the Places We See
This house used antiques so well — I had fun looking around and thinking about where she got all this stuff and how she must have known in advance where to put it. Thanks for taking a look.
Grammy Writes
How interesting it must have been to stay there! Fun post – especially the “shiplap and chippy paint” part!
Oh, the Places We See
It’s filled with all the things we’ve been watching the HGTV home renovators do to old homes. Kinda like being on a set!
WanderingCanadians
How neat to stay in the home of someone whose blog you follow! The house looks simply stunning. I’m always amazed at how some people are just so talented with interior design!
Oh, the Places We See
I agree. There are a number of young designers who have a look all their own. It must be something innate that they’re born with!
kzmcb
Wow, that’s fabulous. I’m in awe of people who decorate so uniquely. But what, pray tell, is a shiplap?
Oh, the Places We See
It’s a type of board that is wide and applied to walls. I had no idea what it was until I started watching the TV show so popular here — “Fixer Upper.” Chip and Joanna Gaines have made renovating old homes in Waco an art form. And she loves it when they rip off old plaster or drywall or wallpaper and discover shiplap behind it all. So, I was excited to see what all the fuss was about!
kzmcb
Thanks for that.
Leya
Wow, what a treat, Rusha! Love the house and the light, nordic colours. The porch looks very comfy and inviting too – but I would also have let the mosquitos have it in the evenings…
Oh, the Places We See
We did let them have the porch — but the rest of the house was fun to visit as well.
anotherday2paradise
The house is lovely and welcoming. I also love the new porch.
Oh, the Places We See
It’s really a pretty place. And we loved the porch, too!
Miriam Hurdle
I can see this was a treat to stay in this house, Rusha! The work put in this 100 years old house is amazing. I love the décor, especially coordinating the patterns in the bedroom.
Oh, the Places We See
I loved all the interesting pieces. We once had an antiques booth, and we hoped people would repurpose some of our things. This owner certainly did!
Toonsarah
This is gorgeous – I love the sense of light and space, and the porch looks especially welcoming! A treat indeed 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
We sat on the porch a lot, but in the evening, the mosquitoes liked it as well — so we let them have it!
Toonsarah
That’s a shame but it must have been lovely during the day time with all that shade