Ep 5. Southern Italianate Charm

In Home Town season 2 episode 5, titled "Southern Italianate Charm," hosts Ben and Erin Napier take on their latest renovation project in their small town of Laurel, Mississippi. The episode follows the couple as they work with a young couple, Robyn and Cassidy, who have recently purchased a historic home in the town's charming downtown area.

The couple's new home is a classic example of Southern Italianate architecture, featuring high ceilings, large windows, and a curved porch. However, years of neglect have left the house in need of significant repairs and redesigning. Robyn and Cassidy share their vision with the Napiers for turning the spacious house into a cozy home with a modern design aesthetic.

Ben and Erin get to work, taking on the challenge of modernizing the house while still retaining its classic charm. They start by gutting the home's interior and removing outdated features like the popcorn ceiling, drab wallpaper, and the wall separating the living room and the kitchen. They also install new hardwood floors and updated lighting fixtures throughout the entire house.

One of the main challenges of the renovation was finding ways to add more light into the home's interior. The Napiers solved this problem by installing a set of custom-built bookshelves that open up the living room and let in natural light from the large windows. They also added a brand new fireplace and cozy seating area, perfect for relaxing on cold nights.

In addition to the living room, the Napiers also tackled the kitchen, which was in dire need of an overhaul. They installed custom-built cabinets, a farmhouse sink, and a large center island with plenty of storage space. They also added a new stainless steel appliance package and upgraded the countertops with beautiful marble.

To complete the main floor renovation, Ben and Erin tackled the couple's bedroom, which was previously dark and cramped. They brightened up the space by adding several large windows and a new French door that leads out onto the back porch. They also built a custom headboard and added modern light fixtures to give the room a fresh and updated look.

But the renovation wasn't all about aesthetics. The Napiers also had to address several structural issues, including a collapsing porch and a broken foundation. They brought in a team of experts to repair and reinforce the foundation and rebuilt the porch to match the home's original design.

Finally, the Napiers put the finishing touches on the home's exterior, giving it a much-needed facelift. They repainted the entire exterior with a fresh coat of light blue paint and added new landscaping to enhance the home's curb appeal.

The result of the renovation is a stunning modern home that retains the classic charm of the original Italianate architecture. Robyn and Cassidy were thrilled with the Napiers' work and praised their ability to bring their vision to life. The episode is a testament to the Napiers' unique ability to transform rundown homes into beautiful and functional living spaces that their clients can enjoy for years to come.