HGTV's Home Town [1] is our happy place: a show that combines incredible home renovations [2] with emotional journeys that leave us grabbing for the tissue box. What more could you want? Hosts Ben and Erin Napier's southern charm runs through every aspect of the show, enveloping the viewer as we watch them work their magic on historic houses [3] in their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. Erin, with her amazing eye for all things decor and renovation strategy [4], plus Ben's craftsmanship and skill, make for stunning restorations that deserve their own Pinterest board. Before the popular show's season five premiere on Jan. 3, POPSUGAR spoke to Ben and Erin about their whirlwind journey to where they are now, their goals in highlighting small town living, and what fans can expect from the new season, plus the forthcoming releases of both Home Town Takeover and Home Town: Ben's Workshop.
Ben and Erin's path to becoming some of HGTV's most successful and recognizable showrunners and home renovators stems from their mutual love for rebuilding homes, helping others, and showcasing the beauty of small towns. "We really hope that no matter where people live and watch our show, that they see the value in the place they're from . . . that they see what's special about [that place] and why it's different from any place in the world," Erin told POPSUGAR. With that mission, the couple has captivated the hearts of a wide-spanning audience, keen on discovering what they'll do next with properties in need of some serious TLC. Ahead, find out more about Ben and Erin's journey, their favorite parts about renovating, and even a couple of decor tips too.
On Becoming Some of HGTV's Biggest Stars
College sweethearts Ben and Erin got married in 2008, which soon led them to buy a yellow 1925 craftsman cottage Erin had been in love with since junior high in Laurel's historic district [6]. Through the home's feature in Southern Weddings, and Erin's blog, the couple got the attention of HGTV executives and the rest is history. "Growing up, my parents were ministers so we were constantly working on things. But it was less of a 'I want to be a DIY [7] home renovation person' and more of a 'This needs to be fixed, there are four strapping young men who live here so we're gonna fix it,'" Ben told POPSUGAR. He then went on to take a deep dive into furniture design and building in his 20s.
Erin, on the other hand, always had a passion for home design. "In 7th grade, my mom told me, 'Why don't we redo your room however you want to do it. Whatever you want to do, we'll do,' and that was my first design project," she said. "Around then is when I started my accordion folder where I would tear pages out of magazines and put them in my folder for my dream home one day." The couple jokes about how while other 7th graders scrapbooked about their future weddings or read Tiger Beat, Erin was planning her future house and collecting interior design magazines.
On Their Passion For Showing "the Magic in the Ordinary"
Through their incredible renovations of historic homes in Laurel, Mississippi in Home Town, or in Wetumpka, Alabama in Home Town Takeover, the couple put a spotlight on small town living. As Erin talked about seeing the value in one's hometown, Ben added to that point, saying that "a lot of the time people lose sight" of what makes their home town special, and become "jaded by it and [forgetting] what makes it magical." In the couple's own words, that's what they do: they look for that magical aspect, or "the magic in the ordinary."
On Putting Laurel, Mississippi on the World Stage
Home Town highlights the beauty of Laurel, Mississippi in every episode, bringing in people from all over the world through their TV screens (and in real-life!). Since all but two of the houses they've renovated have remained with the lucky owners, the housing market in Laurel has not changed, but the couple has noticed more people than ever buying vacation houses there. "The second a house goes on the market, it gets snatched up," Erin said. Ben added: "We've had visitors from New Zealand, Australia, and Europe [to our shops]. People are coming from everywhere to see this little town that HGTV introduced them to."
On What Sets Their Renovation Style Apart
Although the couple enjoy almost every aspect of renovation, they specifically love learning about the history of craftsmanship. Ben said his favorite part about design projects is "seeing the craftsmanship of the people who built the house. Uncovering that, displaying it and learning, it's like a field trip." Apart from how much they like to learn about these historic homes, the couple also love the personal touches they get to do for the owners. As Ben told POPSUGAR, "The personal projects that we do for the homeowners are what make it a home instead of a house."
On How the Pandemic Has Changed Various Aspects of Home Town's Production
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to effect everyone's lives, and Ben and Erin's business is no exception. "It's been really, really difficult," Erin said. "But everybody feels that way, that's every job. [Now], you can't just invite somebody to set. They have to go through all these protocols. They have to be tested three days in advance, and then the morning of, and sometimes it doesn't work with their schedule." The couple have even had difficulty finding materials and appliances to do their work. "We cannot get refrigerators — we're borrowing fridges from friends' houses and putting them in the houses until the real ones get in and we can finish filming," Erin explained.
When it comes to being able to relax and hang with their crew, Ben misses the daily lunches the most. "The best part was always lunch – we would get together and it was just like being in high school at the lunch table, where you sit with your friends and tell stories and laugh," Ben told POPSUGAR. Although the couple are missing how production was before, they're thankful "no one has caught it yet because the protocols have been so serious," and that they are able to feel safe at work.
On Their Most Crucial Decor Tip
Ben and Erin are all about the special touches in a home, so their biggest decor tip is "to keep it personal." If you're just starting a big home renovation, Ben recommends "looking to the internet, magazines, and HGTV for inspiration, but then put your own personal twist on it." However, on the technical side of house restoration, Ben warns against taking the DIY [8] approach for bigger jobs that go beyond fun projects, stressing, "You could risk burning your house down or flooding your house. Call somebody up. But if it's just the way it looks, you got it."
On What We Can Expect From Their 2021 TV Shows
With Home Town season five premiering on Sunday, Jan. 3, at 8 p.m. ET on HGTV, Home Town: Ben's Workshop premiering on Jan. 4th on Discovery+, and Home Town Takeover nearing with a not-yet-announced 2021 premiere date, Ben and Erin have tons of surprises for us in the upcoming year. When it comes to Home Town season five, Erin told us it's "very personal" and "the season of friends and family," adding, "We did houses for people that we're very close to for almost every single episode." When it comes to Home Town Takeover, you might want to keep the tissues close by, as Ben revealed that every episode of the spin-off "is going to be a tearjerker" and that they worked with "the most incredible people who deserve what they're getting." Lastly, Home Town: Ben's Workshop will show us Ben acting "like a giddy kid on Christmas morning in every episode." As Ben tells us, "The side of this business that I love the most is the actual woodworking, carpentry, and joinery," and in this show, he gets to tell "fascinating people" about his passion. From astronauts to world-champion athletes, Erin says "this special is like The New Yankee Workshop meets a talk show." We can't wait!