Are you captivated by Erin Napier’s cozy and inviting interiors? You’re in good company! The star of HGTV’s “Home Town” is renowned for crafting spaces that exude warmth, charm, and individuality. Each home she designs tells a unique story, reflecting the homeowner’s personality and offering a welcoming atmosphere. Drawing inspiration from vintage, cozy aesthetics, Erin Napier employs timeless methods in her designs, making them accessible to all.
Achieving the “Erin Napier look” is simpler than it seems. You don’t need a complete home renovation to infuse her signature style into your space. For any room you’d like to enhance, Erin offers a variety of key elements to consider. From DIY projects to essential products, you can effortlessly transform your home. Uncover top decorating ideas inspired by Erin Napier and learn how to accessorize affordably.
Create a gallery wall full of old family photos
In the very first episode of “Home Town,” Erin crafted a heartfelt entryway for her clients, featuring a gallery wall of family photos extending across two main foyer walls. She shared, “I called your mamas, and I asked them if they could give me some of their family photos. The first thing I want you to feel is welcome and like you’re in an embrace.” Gallery walls frequently appear in Erin’s designs, with family playing a significant role. Erin herself showcases a gallery wall of family photos in her own entryway, making it a perfect representation of her heartfelt style.
Erin often praises gallery walls, highlighting their versatility. You don’t have to limit yourself to family photos; if you lack enough to hang, don’t worry! Erin emphasizes that it should reflect what you love. Display your child’s artwork, cherished letters, or even your own creations. To get started, consider purchasing a frame set, like these Povrgive Picture Frames. Before diving in, learn how to create the perfect gallery wall for a designer look.
A backsplash made of hand-painted tiles
Erin has a passion for hand-painted tiles in the kitchen, whether genuinely artisanal or designed to mimic the appearance. In Season 8, Episode 14, she highlighted hand-painted tiles by a local Laurel artist. “Bekye Fargason is an incredible ornamental artist. She painted each one of these tiles by hand. They felt like an archeological find, like something we discovered in Italy,” Erin shared. Her appreciation for unique tiles is evident in multiple renovations, making it an ideal way to introduce an Erin-inspired touch to your home.
Choosing the perfect hand-painted tiles can be challenging, but aligning with your home’s architecture is key. For vintage homes, ornate Moroccan or Spanish tiles can elevate the space. For a modern aesthetic, consider minimalist, geometric designs. If you’re seeking an affordable option, Longking Peel-and-Stick Tiles offer a chance to explore different styles. Decorative tiles aren’t the only vintage-inspired trend Erin champions; she’s also reviving the historic kitchen scullery in 2025.
Embrace the power of raw, unstained wood details
With Ben’s woodworking expertise, natural wood details are a staple in “Home Town” projects. Ben and Erin favor unstained wood, as seen in Season 8, Episode 10, where Erin highlighted, “It’s natural wood. We left it unstained on the inside.” Ben added, “All the windows, the beams, we left it all natural wood.” From trim to window frames, natural wood abounds!
While painted trim is popular in modern interiors, preserving natural wood benefits historic homes. Painting isn’t required, but proper finishing and sealing are crucial. Paint typically seals wood, preventing moisture and warping. To maintain natural wood’s appearance, use oil or varnish for protection. After sanding, consider a product like SamaN Interior One Step Wood Seal.
Transform your brick walls with German schmear
Erin loves using the German schmear technique to transform brick elements. Mortar is spread across bricks then wiped off, revealing some original surface. In Season 8, Episode 8, Erin showcased this method, exclaiming, “We kept the brick wall but lightened it up with the German schmear.” It’s an excellent way to brighten your home while maintaining exposed brick’s character.
German schmear offers several advantages, including textured looks with bricks peeking through. It’s DIY-friendly if you prepare the surface properly. Remove dust and debris, wet the brick before applying mortar, and wipe off excess in areas you want exposed. Another option is limewash, but note the differences between German schmear and limewash techniques.
Turn your television into a piece of wall art
Erin advocates for framed televisions that mimic art pieces. In Season 8, Episode 1, she unveiled a living room with a stylish TV, stating, “You have a TV that looks like art.” The client responded: “That is phenomenal. TVs are like the center of our room, but when they’re off they’re kind of an eyesore.” This approach contributes to the homey, personalized feel Erin is known for. A TV can seem impersonal, but an art piece looks curated.
Explore framed television trends with options like DreamScreens USB for Samsung TVs to display art. Enhance the look with a Samsung TV Frame. Alternatively, cover your TV with art by building a frame and inserting a canvas when not in use.
Go for an iron vintage-style bed frame
Iron bed frames are a recurring theme in Erin’s “Home Town” makeovers, adding historic charm without appearing outdated. In Season 7, Episode 18, a client admired the timeless look, stating, “I love the bed, it’s so vintage!” If a genuine antique frame isn’t feasible, Erin suggests a reproduction. In her home, she chose a modern version with a classic appearance for Ben’s taller frame.
To achieve this look, anchor your bedroom with a charming piece like Elegant Home Space’s Vintage Bed Frame. For a budget-friendly option, add a metal headboard to your existing bed frame. The Modway Lennon Modern Farmhouse Metal Headboard offers various metallic shades to suit your space.
Try statement wallpaper in your dining room
The Laurel Mercantile blog covers several “Home Town” renovations featuring bold dining room wallpaper. Erin often uses striking wallpaper in various rooms, but the dining room is a favorite for statement patterns. She’s employed bold florals and subtle damask patterns for a unique aesthetic.
Bold wallpaper trends are popular for good reason. Experiment with patterned wallpaper in different settings. If you’re concerned about an overwhelming look, try it in a smaller area like a powder room. Create an accent wall with your chosen pattern or add wallpaper to the upper half of a wall, pairing it with wainscoting for a high-end vintage look.
You don’t need a real fireplace to use one as decor
In Season 7, Episode 12, Erin and Ben showcased a decorative feature by repurposing an old fireplace frame, filling it with chopped logs for visual interest. This technique created a warm, rustic atmosphere with visible texture, highlighting their love for raw wood. It demonstrates that a working fireplace isn’t necessary to create a living room focal point.
Recreating a stunning fireplace mantel is simple. Many vintage fireplaces are non-functional, so a working chimney isn’t essential. DIY a faux fireplace using an IKEA KALLAX hack or purchase a frame like Creative Co-Op’s Victorian Fireplace Mantel. Fill the empty space with DIY projects, candles, or tile for an eclectic look.
Add a statement backsplash above your oven range
If a full handcrafted tile backsplash isn’t within budget, Erin offers a clever solution. She often places striking tiles between the oven range and hood. For example, in Season 7, Episode 10, Erin added a bold floral backsplash above the range but kept the rest simple. She used this technique again in Season 3, Episode 1, adding color with Spanish-inspired tiles.
Erin’s hack has aesthetic and practical benefits. Besides looking pretty, adding tile above your oven range simplifies cleaning and protects walls from heat and moisture. To find the perfect tile, consider your stylistic goals. A mosaic pattern adds texture and artisanal flair, while simpler options like trendy vertical rectangular tiles offer a sleek look.
Keep your focus on soft and cozy paint colors
Erin advises against colors that are “too new, too bright,” favoring Sherwin-Williams Dover White, a creamy neutral. She emphasizes soft, cozy, and timeless paint colors, listing Benjamin Moore Misty Air, Valspar Brown Buzz, and Sherwin-Williams Rock Bottom as favorites. Valspar Paint’s Tea Stain, Grey Suit, and Pitch Cobalt are also featured in her Instagram post.
For white wall alternatives, consider warm and cool tones. Warm shades like vanilla, cotton, or All-In-One Almond Paint offer timeless appeal. On the cooler side, soft hues like sage, blue-grey, and light olive work well. For more inspiration, explore stunning paint trends that will keep your home fresh in 2025 and beyond.
