Earlier this Spring, when I was sharing the photos from our Honeymoon Road Trip, I posted about this great town we stopped in to see – Laurel, Mississippi. Since then my inbox has been filled with comments and emails from people all over the US who either have a connection to Laurel or just love it as much as Garrett and I do. In that spirit, I thought I’d share a bit more about our lovely hosts, Erin & Ben Napier and their incredible 1925 Craftsman home, as well as some other homes we stopped into see while we were there.
Erin and Ben live in the historic district of Laurel with their two sweet Great Pyrenees pups, Chevy and Baker. (Baker and I became good friends during our visit). Their home was featured in Flea Market Style Magazine last fall and Erin was kind enough to give me some of the photos from that shoot to share with you. It’s such an inspiring home.
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In junior high, Erin would come downtown to draw the houses in the area, including her favourite of them all – this craftsman cottage near the museum. When she and Ben were dating in college, she’d point the house out to him on their neighbourhood walks. Then three years after their wedding, they were talking with the owner of the house and made an offhand comment that if she’d ever like to sell it, they’d love to buy it. A month later it was theirs and the rest is history.
The house itself has great bones, but you can see all the little touches and details that Erin and Ben have put into every room to make it a home. The moment you walk in, it feels cozy and warm, with music wafting throughout (most likely The Drifters).
The oil painting in the dining room is one of three used as a prop in Season 4 of The Sopranos. Erin is a big James Gandolfini fan!
The kitchen is always the heart of the home to me and this one made me want to roll up my sleeves and get baking. Everyone knows I have a thing for white kitchens.
It’s hard to pick a favorite feature in the kitchen – from the cotton factory pulleys that the lights hang from to the white subway tile to the cookbook shelf – I love it all.
Ben was eager to explain all the renovations they did and answer all our questions. I hope that Garrett was taking notes for when he builds our kitchen someday, ha!
Isn’t their home just gorgeous? I could easily move in next week if they’d let us. I wonder how they feel about roommates and chihuahuas 🙂
While we were there, a new shop/garage was being built in the backyard.
Even the dogs have a cute house!
We headed downtown to visit their shop, Lucky Luxe (which I’ll be sharing for Wedding Wednesday next week!) and to pop into to see the apartment of their friends Josh and Emily.
The main room was full of warm earth tones and luxe textures – from beadboard and rustic wood to supple leather and linen. More and more I’m being drawn to textures over smooth finishes. They add so much dimension to the room.
This bookcase built into the staircase railing is genius. Practical storage space meets eclectic design. The whole apartment feels so bright, in part to the large windows but also the transom windows above all the doors. It makes all the rooms feel very open.
The kitchen is another great mix between function and design. The exposed brick and old signs, combined with the crisp white cupboards is cozy without feeling cramped.
I would love to find a large vintage sign like this, or paint one by hand. There is something about vintage typography that always catches my eye.
The bathrooms are simple yet bright with honeycomb tile, bead-board and chair rail.
Josh & Emily are about to welcome home their first child, so they’ve moved into this lovely Italian villa inspired home.
The backyard was just gorgeous, with a grand pool area and a big backyard full of gardens and terraces.
They even have a wishing well AND a pizza oven – why would you ever need to leave home?
Another house the we visited while we were there was that of Erin’s cousin Jim and his lovely wife Mallorie. We popped over to their 1912 city farmhouse after dinner to look around and my jaw dropped. It was another great home with a mix of modern and historic, with a great eye for design. It was too dark to take photos then, but here is a little snippet of their dining room, dressed up for their daughter Lucy’s first birthday.
Thank you again to our dear friends Ben and Erin for showing us around their town and their home. You better believe that I’ll be calling them for design advice in our own place someday! It really was a highlight of our road trip and I know that we’ll be back there again someday…
…because a part of our hearts will always be in Laurel, Mississippi.
Be sure to check out Erin’s blog, Make Something Good Today and their beautiful wedding stationery and design at Lucky Luxe.
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Photo Credit: 2-4, 6-10, 13-16 Jean Allsopp; 18, 22, 23, 25, 33 Erin Napier
Oh WOW, gorgeous! These pictures look like they belong in House Beautiful or something like that!
Loved seeing my hometown presented in such a gracious and truthful way! Thank you!
Laurel was a great place to grow up and continues to hold beautiful memories of the wonderful people who are fortunate to live there. This blog shows Laurel’s warmth, sophistication and culture.
“Hometown” revealed to the entire HGTV viewing audience what a gem we’ve always known Laurel, Mississippi to be. Love what the Napiers and others are doing to bring back our “City Beautiful”. Keep up the fabulous work!
I was fortunate my paternal grandmother lived in Laurel’s historic district where I spent every summer (40s, 50s and early 60s. I walked every street and yard. Attended bible school, library summer programs, and movies at the Strand and Arabian (10 cents). Ate all over Laurel and occasionally I watched my manners dining at Laurel’s hotel. The pool at Daphine Park was fabulous! I learned to swim and spent a lot of time there.
It saddened me to see Laurel deteriorate from every home picture perfect to falling apart. What they did to downtown’s historic buildings was criminal. That said, I am thrilled to see Laurel emerge from the ashes being restored to its former beauty. I commend everyone involved! Thank you so much! Keep up the good work! My heart remains in Laurel. It’s good to see how many people love Laurel as I do.
My wife and I “LOVE” what you and your family, is and have done for Laurel, Ms. and more importantly, for the people that you have served with your attention and dedication to construct wonderful homes. I have desired to drive to Laurel and shake your hand and give that sweet wife a hug! and the baby a toy!! and that might happen….about me and my wife… I am Kenneth Crawford, my wife is Patricia Crawford. I am a Florida boy she is Mississippi girl, In 1955 she came to visit her aunt, which was my next door neighbor. Guess who met her…ME!!!!!! I was 17 and at that time she was 15, Love, hugs, Florida things, Mississippi things. We hit it off.
she was raised in Glade Community, Her grand Parents owned most of the property and farmed the area. It was section 16 land.
She and the Family returned to Laurel just after Christmas in ’55. I was a young Marine by then.
We were reunited by phone and mail in 1956, mostly mail, phone calls were a quarter then, I told her that I was taking leave and coming to see her. I went. Worse mistake I have ever made, to make a long and damn fantastic story shorter, We got married in a fever hoterr’n a pepper sprout. Well, It is 2020 the pepper sprout is about is a loose noodle but we remember and laugh!!!! Pat and I got married by in laurel, Ms. by a JP( I had to pay $5.00 for that ceremony, it almost broke me) Anyway On 18Dec of this year we will celebrate 63 years of marriage, my mother, God bless told me..It ain’t gonna last. She blew that one.
I spent 21 years in the service, we traveled as much as we could. I then taught School for 23 years, In Georgia and in Florida We currently have 4 grown children-10 Grand Children- 7Great-grand children and I new Crawford on the way the baby is due around the first of the year. She will be the first named CRAWFORD. I appreciate your “building” skills, I became a Upholsterer after my others chores, I refurbished a number of discarded sets of furniture, boats cars and one airplane.
We have watched all your shows, you have competitor! The two of you make the show! In fact my Wife is talking to her cousin who lives in New Jersey and both are watching “Home Town” as we speak. If we never meet, Congratulations on doing a good job and making a mark on this troubled world as a man and woman that have that have accomplish a hard ‘ATTA BOY.
My wife tells me that you have made her homesick. If you had a two bed room place that we could afford she would probably come to Laurel more often!!!? It is a long drive!!! We live near Cocoa Beach, Florida. We are nearing the ‘SUPER OLD” category. I will be 83 in Jan. and she a young 81 in March. Best of luck Kenneth Crawford 3858 LaFlor Dr., Rockledge’Fl. 32955 keep up the good work and GOD BLESS
My husband and I have been watching My old house for as long as it has been on TV, but in all of your seasons shows we have been fans. My husband loves Ben’s carpenter skills and that he uses wood that he refurbished . We live in Ontario Canada, not too far from Niagara Falls,
Originally from Quebec. Married 58 years this year, 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
The best part of your show is that a wife and husband can enjoy the show together. Loved your flooring man, genius at his job. Keep it up and enjoy and love Helen your daughter.
OMG! THAT WOULD BE MY FIRST WORDS IF I COULD SEE YOU BOTH! I’M SO IN LOVE WITH YOUR SHOW, “HOME TOWN”!!! ERIN YOU’RE THE CUTIEST LITTLE BUTTON AND BEN OMG WHAT A MAN! I LOVE A TALL MAN MY HUSBAND IS 6’4″!!!! I’VE BEEN WISHING TO COME VISIT LAUREL, MISSISSIPPI! I’M A BORN LOUISIANA GIRL, CARE TAKER OVER 40 YEARS OF A 85 YEAR ELDERLY MALE COUSIN! IF I CAN GET AWAY, I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE THIS TRIP TO VISIT AND WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU BOTH IN LATE JUNE, 2021, TAKE CARE AND YOUR HGTV SHOW IS MY FAVORITE!!! GOD BLESS YOU BOTH AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ARRIVAL OF YOUR SECOND BLESSINGS! PRECIOUS LITTLE GIRL!
I love your show. SO much so that we have made plans to takE a road trip to Laurel. Is there a possibility that we could meet you two?
Erin and Ben, you two are so talented and so cute! I am on disability and also a care giver for my 90 year old father. When he passes I am thinking of moving to Laurel, can you give me a idea how much houses are and apartments are. I’m hoping I can afford something there. Your town is so beautiful. Please let me know if you can, also can I get a autographed picture of you two?
Erin and Ben, you two are so talented and so cute! I am on disability and also a care giver for my 90 year old father. When he passes I am thinking of moving to Laurel, can you give me a idea how much houses are and apartments are. I’m hoping I can afford something there. Your town is so beautiful. Please let me know if you can, also can I get a autographed picture of you two?hope to hear back!
Erin and Ben, you two are so talented and so cute! I am on disability and also a care giver for my 90 year old father. When he passes I am thinking of moving to Laurel, can you give me a idea how much houses are and apartments are. I’m hoping I can afford something there. Your town is so beautiful. Please let me know if you can, also can I get a autographed picture of you two?hope to hear back!