Erin + Ben Save a Neighborhood Gem
Erin and Ben renovate a special vintage home for discerning clients.


Ben and Erin Napier take on an extra challenge when they agree to find and renovate a historic home for an architectural designer and his wife. After having pursued his architectural career in New York City, Bill is ready to return home to Mississippi and settle down with his fiance, Jody, in the small town that he's loved since childhood.

But aesthetically, Jody and Bill’s preferences aren’t always an exact match. Both love vintage homes but, while Bill focuses on authentic vintage detail and leans toward dark interiors and stained wood, Jody prefers bright, airy spaces. The trick for Erin and Ben will be to find a perfect middle ground.
I really don't want a cookie-cutter home. I want a house that has a lot of charm, a lot of character.Bill Holloway

Bill and Jody’s home wish list includes open space for entertaining, a home studio/office space and a nice front porch. Their all-in budget is $200,000 and, with their wedding date approaching, they’re on a short timeline.

The Napiers show them two houses, both very interesting in their own way. The one they choose offers a rich history and the kind of authentic features that Ben and Erin get genuinely excited about. But there’s no doubt that the logistics of the renovation will be a real challenge and on a tight deadline.
The kitchen, in particular, is essentially a complete overhaul, but Erin’s inspired design vision helps transform a cramped and badly dated space into a showplace that's certain to please both Jody and Bill.

In total, the renovation results in a home that, in a substantive way, pays homage to and celebrates the town’s history. And along the way, Ben and Erin run into an interesting challenge that gives particular significance to the phrase “local honey.”

The Home Town episode “History in the Making” premieres April 4 at 10p|9c. Be sure to check back here to take the full photo tour and see web-exclusive videos.