Jordan and Ally Smith (left) have been friends with the Napiers since college days at Ole Miss. They had been through several moves and were looking for a more permanent home to settle into. Aly, who works with Erin at Laurel Mercantile, prefers homes with a tie to the past and romantic feel. Jordan, who Ben describes as quiet and reserved, is nonetheless up for the adventure of a creative home renovation.

The Thompson House, built in 1920, had once been home to the owner of Laurel's iconic small-town service station. A beautiful old oak tree, one of the home's defining features, and the landscaping had become overgrown. But with its classic brick exterior and large porch, the house offered a lot of promise.

The renovation returned much of the home's classic grandeur, replacing the plain white trim with a palette of dark green and classic brick that feels more somber and historic. 

Overgrown shrubs masked much of the home's visual potential, and the upstairs addition with large windows and peeling white paint detracted from the historic profile.