Promotional image of Erin Napier smiling in a warmly lit kitchenImage via HGTV
By
Michael Block
Published 2 hours ago
Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts!
On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK.
In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
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There are certainly HGTV fans who rely on the comfort of consistency in their programming. While every renovation is different, the television product tends to be the same in the end. Your favorite hosts meet their clients, learn their budget and goals, execute the renovation, and deliver a reveal that elicits an emotional result. On Home Town, the magic of the program lies in watching Ben and Erin Napier renovate homes in Laurel, Mississippi, one at a time. But one project defied those norms, forcing Erin to push to make it a reality.
Pausing from their home renovations, the couple helped a place that meant something special to them: the maternity wing of the South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel. Describing it as a ‘small town within a small town,’ the couple noted that they know someone who has worked in nearly every department, including Erin's dad, who worked there for 44 years. With a million reasons to make this project a reality, it rarely happened as HGTV was nervous about approving a project that broke the usual format. Even though, for Erin, it was personal enough to be "sacred ground."
The Hospital Renovation Was More Personal Than Ever for the Napiers
Erin and Ben Napier pose in front of a home during demo on 'Home Town.'Image via HGTV
Ahead of the new season, the celebrity designers spoke to Fox News Digital about the show, as well as the project they considered the most meaningful. Call it serendipity: one postpartum room at the medical center became a deeply meaningful space for the family, as birth after birth took place there. "I was born there. My babies were born there. All my friends' babies were born there. Nieces and nephews were born there," Erin revealed. "So we have a million special and important, huge moments in this maternity ward, especially when a new person joins your family in your world. And it always happened in this one room."
The renovation mattered to Erin so deeply because of a personal connection that many of their other projects lacked. Sure, renovating Laurel and sharing the town's history is personal, but it's not quite the same connection as the room where you were placed after surgery or where you gave birth. "This was sacred ground for me. Imagine how scared you are of having your first baby ever. And this is the place where it happens," the HGTV star revealed. "And I felt so loved, so comforted. These nurses, these doctors are so incredible that I wanted to honor them in what we did.” During the interview, Erin shared a photo of her grandmother during one of her last times she was lucid, holding her baby niece in that room. Erin's memories extend beyond babies to the entire family. This was not just going to be a job; it was going to be a gift and a means to give back to a special place. "This was as important as a grandmother's house," she said.
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When preparing for the project, Erin revealed what the client wanted; the CEO wanted the facility to feel like a five-star experience. Having discussed how the spaces are where large families gather, it wasn't just about the mother and child; it was about making friends and family feel at home as well. The reality, though, was that it was almost not going to happen. Erin said, "I was just hugely honored and also had to, like, beg HGTV to let us do it because it’s not a house, it’s not a garden, but it was so important.” Erin revealed that she cried twice during the episode. She said it was "ridiculous," but it makes sense due to the nature of the project. Ben backed her up, reminding her how emotional it is to welcome a child into the world and into a family.
"We talked to all of our friends about like, ‘What was it like when you had your first child or when you had a baby here?’ And then we worked really closely with the nursing staff and the doctors there. And you'll see a lot of that." The renovation included very specific lighting requests, including sconces that "feel residential" and lighting in the restroom that made mothers "feel beautiful."
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Get more when you subscribe to our newsletter: in-depth, behind-the-scenes stories about projects like Home Town's maternity wing renovation, design choices, creator reflections, and similar community-focused renovation features. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.This project matters because while it is a departure from the normal format, it's not a departure from the series itself. Home Town is about the Napiers and the place they call home. The maternity wing is part of their story, just like many of the properties they revitalize. Although the hospital is a different space, it still reflects the series' mission. If you zoom out and look at Home Town Takeover, there could be a universe in which they tackle an "unconventional" space, so why not do it on the flagship program? HGTV may have been hesitant about something that felt different, but the project ultimately stayed true to the heart of the series. It still delivers the warmth and comfort HGTV fans expect from the Napiers. Now with an even more personal touch.
Home Town airs Sundays at 8:00 pm on HGTV. All episodes are available to stream on HBO Max.
Home Town
Like Follow Followed TV-G Reality Release Date January 24, 2016 Network HGTVCast
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Erin Napier
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Ben Napier
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Home Town
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