Ben and Erin’s Biggest Renovation of 'Home Town' Season 8 Is a Schoolhouse

For Dr. Amanda Cooley of Laurel, Mississippi, the decision to open Unlimited Dreams Christian Learning Center was easy. When Amanda realized two fourth grade students she'd been working with were unable to read, she knew something needed to change. Now, 102 students attend Unlimited Dreams. “The waitlist gets longer and longer, so we must be doing something right,” said Amanda. The school recently outgrew the space it had been operating out of since opening (a rented house Home Town hosts Ben and Erin Napier renovated eight years ago for the Robinson family). Amanda needed to find a new home for her school. Literally: Amanda insisted Unlimited Dreams be located in a house. “I want [the kids] to feel comfortable. Not like they’re in a school setting,” she said.

Of course, Ben and Erin, along with two of their project managers Katie Hinton and Chris Miller, came to rescue. Step inside one of the biggest Home Town renovations yet.

It turns out the perfect new location was just two doors down. The Glory House, built in 1917, has four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms and boasts 4,800 square feet — three times the size of their current school. To save money, Ben and Erin decided to keep the wallpaper in the entry, but make it stand out by painting the trim periwinkle blue. Erin used the color palette throughout the rest of the home — pulling deep red into the kitchen, soft yellow into the cafetorium and shades of blue into the library and classrooms.

Amanda’s office sits off the main entryway and has direct access to the quiet room and kitchen. “I think this entire house feels like Amanda," said Erin. "She is the sweetest, softest soul. I see her everywhere in it. I feel so thankful that Amanda trusted us with this because it had to be very, very hard to raise this money, and we wanted to be good stewards of that money in everything that we did. I hope that what she feels is the love of this community that gave so much to make it such a special school for these kids. I hope she sees how much she is loved."

Amanda didn't have an office at the old location, so Ben and Erin were determined to create a space fit for a principal. French doors painted the same shade as the entryway trim create privacy and separation from the main hall, but the real star of the room is the desk. Amanda’s husband, Randall, along with Ben built a twist on the classic teacher’s desk. The oversized workspace features traditional panels and turned legs. From behind it, Amanda is ready for anything the school day throws at her.

Accessible only through Amanda’s office, the newly renovated kitchen offers a homey feel and holds all the necessary commercial upgrades. “While it will have all the commercial elements to serve 102 students, it is going to feel like a home,” said Erin. Quartz countertops and a stone backsplash pair with bold red Shaker cabinetry to provide ample prep space and storage. Non-porous porcelain floor tile delivers the look of stylish Saltillo tile while allowing for easy cleaning.

Ben and Erin transformed this formal living room into an elegant and welcoming place for learning. “It’s the happiest library I’ve ever been in,” said Erin. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves (full of organized, categorized books) line the walls. The original fireplace — painted the same cheerful sky blue as the bookcases and walls — remains a highlight of the room. The tables were built by Ben and the first graduate of Unlimited Dreams, Jaiden — who offered the furnishings to Unlimited Dreams as his senior gift. “This is great that he’s going to make something as a ‘thank you for everything you did for me.’ That’s what a senior gift is,” said Ben.

Unlimited Dreams serves kids with various needs, so it was essential Ben and Erin create a quiet space students can go to if they need a minute to regroup. Designed for one child at a time, the quiet room is attached to Amanda’s office so she can check in. A starry ceiling sets the stage for the dreamy, relaxed room, which is stocked with books, stuffed animals and art supplies.