Ben and Erin Napier Revive 1900s Victorian into Family Home

Returning to your roots can be a powerful journey, especially when it involves breathing new life into a piece of local history. That’s what Ben and Erin Napier do. For three siblings from Laurel, Mississippi, that journey meant transforming a dilapidated 1900s Victorian into a vibrant family hub. They sought to create a place where their children could experience the charm of their hometown, and they turned to local design luminaries Ben and Erin Napier of HGTV’s Home Town to make their vision a reality.

The siblings – Pam Paulsen Danielson, Tom Paulsen, and Jennifer Paulsen Thornton – purchased the crumbling Victorian for a mere $14,000. It was a property in desperate need of attention, spanning 2,000 square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Years of neglect had taken their toll, leaving a rotted foundation, siding, and flooring. Dilapidated front steps, peeling wallpaper, and a dank kitchen painted a grim picture. Ben Napier himself admitted they feared it would eventually be torn down, a loss for Laurel’s limited collection of historic Victorians.

A Shared Vision and Unique Requests of Ben and Erin Napier

With a budget of $178,000, the siblings largely agreed on the design direction, but each brought specific desires to the table. They envisioned a soaring kitchen ceiling, an abundance of wallpaper, and distinct Victorian accents that honored the home’s heritage. This project presented a unique challenge for Ben and Erin Napier, who were accustomed to working with one or two homeowners. Now, they had three distinct personalities and preferences to weave into a cohesive design.

Ben’s woodworking skills and Erin’s keen design eye proved invaluable. They meticulously restored the home, ensuring it was not only livable but also celebrated its historic character. The exterior received a fresh coat of Rookwood Jade siding and Renwick Olive porch flooring, both by Sherwin-Williams, allowing the home to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

Victorian Charm Reimagined

The home’s most striking feature is undoubtedly its welcoming wraparound porch. Adorned with gingerbread railing and decorative upper brackets, it invites guests to linger in rocking chairs for alfresco conversations. Ben and Erin Napier remarked on the surprising simplicity and dramatic impact of the gingerbread work, a testament to thoughtful design. This detail, once common in Victorian architecture, now serves as a delightful focal point.

Inside, a “welcome mat” parquet design was meticulously crafted into the wood floor, replacing a rotted section of oak. The original pine trim and wainscoting, previously stained a dark chocolate, now gleam with a gloss varnish, showcasing their unique grain patterns. Erin Napier often emphasizes the importance of preserving historic trim, stating that painting it is a mistake 90 percent of the time, a sentiment Ben and Erin Napier echoed, noting that once painted, there’s no turning back.

The Heart of the Home

The dining room stands as the heart of this restored Victorian. Central to this space is a custom, expandable maple table, expertly built by Ben and his team at Scotsman General Store & Woodshop. This piece not only provides ample space for family gatherings but also embodies the craftsmanship and thoughtful design that permeate the entire renovation. It’s a place where new memories will be forged, connecting generations within the walls of a cherished family home.

Source: Housebeautiful | Image: via Youtube HGTV