Erin Napier, 39, Reveals an Unexpected Home Design Twist That’s Nothing Like Her HGTV Series ‘Home Town’
Erin Napier works her design magic on homes across America—but what does her own space look like behind the scenes? The HGTV star recently gave fans an intimate look inside her personal home, and it’s just as charming, cozy, and beautifully curated as you’d hope — if not more.
Erin and Ben Napier Brought ‘Downton Abbey’ Into Their Home
For so long, viewers have watched Ben and Erin bring their work inside the homes of others. Now, it’s time to turn it inward. When they first shared their home with the world, Ben and Erin were gushing over the craftsmanship of their new place. They did not touch anything wood-related inside their 1930s property, except the kitchen cabinets. “It’s unbelievably well built,” Ben told Southern Living. “Supposedly, all the wood in the whole house—the floors, the trim, the beams—was cut and milled on the property. And that’s pretty cool for me as a woodworker.”
“One reason we had to get this house was its very British look. It feels as though you’ve crossed the ocean and you’re not in Mississippi anymore. It’s like a vacation for us,” Erin shared. And that was at the heart of her design. During the special Season 6 episode, Erin reflected on designing for herself. “I’m the hardest customer I’ll ever have. I second-guess so many decisions.” And yet, her ultimate design resulted in something truly charming.
The warm and inviting home has character. The natural wood is present and keeps the home’s history intact. What’s interesting is it’s not pattern-heavy, a distinct element of Erin’s grandmillennial design style. The occasional room has patterns galore, like the girls’ room, but the rest of the home is quite clean and pristine. According to the Napiers, they found ways to maintain history inside. It’s part of their hometown tradition. Between incorporating a butcher block in the laundry room featuring wood from the three previous owners, recovering a 1999 couch Erin’s mom gave to them, or the hallway filled with family portraits, there’s a story around every corner. And even in the rooms that needed complete sprucing, the Napiers brought it back to a certain time. In regard to the kitchen, Erin revealed, “The kitchen is all new, but I wanted it to feel like it was 1930. I wanted it to be like the downstairs from Downton Abbey—a classic and casual English style that’s utilitarian but kind of elegant.”
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Home Is Where the Heart Is for Ben and Erin Napier
The opportunity to see inside their personal property allows viewers to understand and see why the elements she brings into her projects are livable. It’s not just for show. Maybe you think that the barrage of patterns that Erin drops into a client’s home is just to play around with, but when you get to see how and why she incorporates them into her own space, it’s a reminder of why her style clicks. Their devotion to celebrate history isn’t just a bit on TV. They truly and wholeheartedly believe it’s important to have something to pass down to future generations while honoring the past. The family portraits weren’t just an idea on a whim. It’s an idea Erin got from her own mother. “I just had to do this because it’s my favorite thing about my parents’ house—and it always has been,” she said.
Their home is an extension of the individuals you see on screen. It’s endearing to see their passion translate into the place they call home. The home is a tribute of family and history, harkening back to the mission of Home Town. Now, when you watch them rivalize Laurel or travel the country and bring small towns new life on Home Town Takeover, you can understand where that heart comes from. Home is where the heart is.
Home Town is available to stream on Max.
Home Town
- Release Date
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January 24, 2016
- Network
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HGTV
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