Fans of HGTV’s Home Town have always been vocal about their thoughts on the show’s transformations. Ben and Erin Napier have wowed viewers with their renovation skills in Laurel over eight successful seasons.
Their winning formula of showcasing potential homes and surprising homeowners has made Home Town a fan favorite.
However, a recent design choice by Erin in a March 2024 episode stirred up controversy among fans. Now, Erin finds herself defending and explaining her decisions to the show’s passionate audience.
In the 10th episode of Home Town’s eighth season, Erin and Ben Napier helped a young Laurel couple. In a surprising move, the Napiers decided to demolish the rundown house and start from scratch, marking their first custom build on the show.
With a $150,000 budget, they faced unexpected challenges that led to a rift between Erin and the fans. Dylan and Dara wanted a spacious bedroom, a home office for Dylan, and an aesthetic blending old cottage charm with an English garden vibe.
Working with their architects at Lake + Land, Erin aimed to reflect the couple’s unique style in the design. During the planning, Erin was shown a design featuring a white house with green trim. However, Erin preferred a fabric scalloped awning, which was included in the final design.
This choice received mixed reactions from fans, with some calling it tacky. Erin defended her decision, explaining that the awning was a budget-friendly option.
She clarified that the original arched doorway would have cost $3,500. Despite the criticism, Erin stood by her choice and defended herself against negative comments on social media.
She emphasized that the goal was to create a home that the new homeowners would love. Fortunately, Dylan and Dara were thrilled with the final result.
Erin Napier Has Faced Design Controversies Before.
Not every design choice will make everyone happy. Designers like Erin Napier sometimes face challenges due to budget or client preferences, leading to bold and unexpected decisions. Erin is known for her traditional style, which has antique touches and neutral colors. However, she’s not afraid to step out of her comfort zone to fulfill a client’s vision.
In a past episode, Erin incorporated a red, white, and blue Americana theme to celebrate a client’s new U.S. citizenship. This bold choice stood out and was quite different from the styles of other popular renovation shows like Fixer Upper and Fixer to Fabulous, known for their Southern charm.
Erin is also known for blocking people who leave rude comments on her social media, whether it’s about her designs or her parenting. Home Town is a hit show on HGTV, and while the final edited episode may not always please everyone, it’s the nature of reality TV.
Erin and Ben Napier have maintained a strong presence on their main show and their spin-off series, Home Town Takeover. Fans can expect more exciting transformations, and who knows, there might be more design controversies in the future!
