Ep 8. Sweet Home Laurel

In the third season of the popular home renovation show, Home Town, the hosts Ben and Erin Napier once again explore Laurel, Mississippi, and take on more incredible home transformations. In episode 8, called Sweet Home Laurel, the hosts step up to the challenge of restoring a historic home that has been left empty for a long time.

The episode begins with Ben and Erin driving around Laurel scouting for potential homes to renovate. They stumble upon a vacant dilapidated home with a yellow brick exterior that is in dire need of restoration. The house has exceptional bones, tons of character, and has obviously been abandoned for many years. With excitement, they decide to take on the job of bringing the old house back to life.

As they prepare to start the renovation work, Ben and Erin imagine what the house might have looked like in its heyday and plan to recreate the old-style charm that it once had. They get to work, building a brand new porch, scraping off old paint, sanding floors, and fixing any structural issues that the home has faced over the years.

Throughout the episode, the hosts inspire us with their passion for revitalizing communities, keeping its history and culture alive by restoring homes, and offering solutions to those in need. They strike up conversations with the locals and ask for help from experts such as wood carvers, painters, and craftsmen to assist them in their work. One scene shows Erin and Ben shopping for unique local items to add to the styling of the home, and it's a true joy to watch them bring a home's essence to life.

The renovation also involved creating a unique floor plan to suit modern living while maintaining the home's original feel. Erin creates a stunning design layout that places the primary bedroom downstairs, while the kitchen and living area are upstairs. The result is a beautiful, open plan that allows for natural light and air to flow throughout the house.

As with any renovation, unexpected challenges arise in the process of the job, and Ben and Erin are no strangers to the hidden surprises that homes can reveal. In one scene, they come across a wall that was never supposed to be there, causing them to rethink their whole plan, but they courageously come up with a new plan to make the home perfect again.

On top of the restoration of the home, the hosts find time to focus on small details that make the transformation even more special. They include touches of history and meaning with each step, such as repurposing original wood into shelves or using the original doorknobs on new doors. Each touch respects the house's history, while also bringing it modern-day functionality and style.

As the renovation gets to its final stages, Erin and Ben put their finishing touches and spend time styling the home interior. Once the renovation is complete, they invite the owners for a grand reveal, a moment that never fails to provide an emotional response. The homeowners come inside and are amazed at the transformation. They are speechless by the work Ben and Erin have put in and can't believe it's the same old house they purchased.

Overall, the episode of Home Town season 3 episode 8 is heartwarming, and it's amazing to see the dedication that Ben and Erin have for their work. The show provides an excellent insight into the importance of preserving history, community, and culture through responsible renovation work. It's a show that will inspire you to look at your own home with a different set of eyes and motivate you to consider the option of restoration instead of replacement.