Home Town - General Discussion

[buttersister]

Guess I wasn’t the only one not interested in HGTV parading out its stable (aka my least favorites) to help out a small red town in Florida—they mentioned in the beginning that Sebring has had storms. But being in Florida, it’s hard to watch without knowing insurance would be a challenge, thanks, Gov.

Good luck, everyone. I ducked out when the Marrs arrived and Dave asked Jenny which side of a piece of wood he should use. One side was flat, the other matched wood already used in other rooms. D’uh, which do you think she was inspired to choose? I can’t with this. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

I can't get over some of the Fort Morgan renos, fake grass on the ceiling in a food business.      Sebring is not coming back, in a few years they'll be damaged by hurricanes again.  

[RoxiP]

I thought it was a really pretty town.  The renovation on the Soda Shop was really nice and the paint job on the outside really made a difference.  I also liked the house they renovated and the family seemed very nice.  Kind of cool to see the original Home Town contractor back working with them again.

[jah1986]

Highlight of the episode was seeing Jonathan again! I really don't like these town makeovers. Making buildings pretty is not going to help the economy or protect from a hurricane.

That said, I could see how it really was a cute little town, and had so much potential, but I am not looking forward to the parade of HGTV hosts from shows I don't watch.

Edited March 11 by jah1986
clarity

[RoxiP]

I'm a little confused.  Towns aren't supposed to rebuild because they are affected by hurricanes?  I guess then LA shouldn't rebuild because wildfires happen, North Carolina shouldn't rebuild because there could always be floods, etc.?  Last night there was a tornado in Ennis, Texas.  Well dang, goodbye Ennis!

The truth is that this model has apparently worked for Laurel (heck, I even went there and I don't go anywhere!), and they are hoping that the formula works in other areas.  I don't think giving people hope is a bad thing.

I live on tornado alley (in Texas).  Seems to me that there are very few places that aren't affected by adverse weather conditions in one way or the other.  Is HGTV supposed to find that unicorn city that isn't in danger of being wiped out by weather?

I'm not trying to be hateful, I am generally confused by this train of thought.

[retired watcher]

I just visited Sebring. It just so happened to be the Soda Festival. The town was filled with people. A lot of people there because they saw it on Hometown, as was I. The soda shop was beautiful and the ice cream was great. Sophie's is not really on the circle but down one of the spokes. It is really small inside but breakfast was delicious. I only saw 2 empty stores right on the circle. There are a lot of cute stores and restaurants on the spokes. All the buildings on the circle have been painted beautiful colors. The painted buildings continued for about a block down each of the spokes. The park looked pretty and even without a festival I can see people using it. I hope it continues to draw people.

[Mollywolly555]

On 3/11/2025 at 6:00 AM, CrazyInAlabama said:

I can't get over some of the Fort Morgan renos, fake grass on the ceiling in a food business.      Sebring is not coming back, in a few years they'll be damaged by hurricanes again.  

I was in Fort Morgan this past fall. It's always been McD pit stop for coffee and Rrs from Denver to Omaha.

But this time we drove around to find the renos. Went to some great cute stores, not on the  reno block. The was an excellent collective store with a green house INSIDE the building not on the reno area.  My nephew has a vintage clothing business, so we really combed the area for secondhand and antiques. Nice people there. 

The reno block was colorful, but not busy. Really need more advertising and a niche product. I'll go again this summer and see how its holding up and let you know. 

[buttersister]

There was a dedication at the end to Jonathan “Brad” Bradley.  That wasn’t their foreman, was it?

Anyway, another town, another paint job and some Chamber of Commerce sackful of hope (and hokum). Congrats to everyone who got a makeover. Good luck to the HGTV folks with new seasons coming up (you weren’t too awkward, really), and I can so see the Ben who one ran for mayor (or council) in Laurel.

[Ilovepie]

I like the idea of these town makeovers, but unless more businesses crop up, it's just lipstick on a pig. I would rather they bring in people that can help the chamber of commerce or small businesses rather than more HGTV "stars". These towns need thriving businesses more than pretty buildings. I know that isn't Ben  Erin's thing, but Laurel experienced a renaissance organically over time because a freaking TV show featuring them and the town is there, not because Erin painted murals on all the walls......

[CrazyInAlabama]

Laurel started years before the show, with the Main Street Laurel foundation.    The mercantile owned by Ben and Erin, Mallorie and Jim, and Josh and Emily  was a big draw too.    People worked for years to get Laurel businesses, and the business district being successful again.    Ben was president of the foundation for a year or two a long time ago.  One of the early season shows was the woman who was head of the Main Street Laurel group buying and remodeling a house.   

The makeover towns will have to come together, do some social media marketing, keep doing events, and keep the momentum going.    The problem with Wetumpka is the Wind Creek Casino, it's a huge draw with the casino, concerts and other entertainment, shopping, and it's a destination.   Lots of people I know go there for vacation for long weekends or a week, to the various events.  They never go into town.   

They also bring in the other HGTV people so Erin and Ben don't have to spent the entire time in the town, without their kids, or with so much time away from home.    Cross promotion is a big part of it of course. 

Edited April 17 by CrazyInAlabama

[buttersister]

Seems to me the takeover town projects act as non-rerun TV shows that cross-promote HGTV personalities (show’s weakest link). It’s programming first, business rescue way behind that. We’ve seen photos of curious tourists checking out the towns, but beyond that, they’re going to depend on locals for business and for supporting ongoing marketing campaigns to draw those curious folks. 

Erin can only paint so many pastel renderings of spruced up homes.

[RoxiP]

I would guess that one of the criteria for getting this attention is that the town  leadership already have a strong commitment (and organization) to promoting growth in their town.  The Sebring people already seemed to have a group of citizens committed to growth, since they had already started work on the old theater building.  I know if I'm ever in the area I would certainly visit Sebring because it looks very inviting.  

I do agree that they bring in other shows for cross-promotion. I've never been interested in watching the Hawaii show but I might check it out because I thought the man involved seemed to be really invested in helping out this town (some of the other hosts of shows kind of left me meh (that husband/wife team from the Fab show for instance - and weirdly enough I do watch that show just to see what weird things she is going to do).  I already like Dave and Jenny Marrs and know they have a strong history of giving back so I don't question them as much as some of the others.

[CrazyInAlabama]

S8.E15 "Saving the Homestead" New 4/20/2025

 "Ben and Erin help a returning Mississippi family save their homestead from being sold. They restore the home with a country farmhouse design, preserving its historical charm and creating a place where future generations can make lasting memories."

Shamila and Jody Chancellor, are the homeowners.  Ben saves the lazy Susans from the kitchen.  They find pine tongue-and-groove in the kitchen ceiling, and some of the wals.   The current floor is asbestos linoleum, and the floor below that the homeowner thought was pine flooring, is actually subfloor.   Since the lino is asbestos, it has to be safely removed.    The insulation contractor says they can insulate behind the tongue-and-groove without destroying the walls.  The new flooring is lovely. 

Ben is redoing the sofa, loveseat and chair from the house, they are great wood.  He's working with Mr. Wilbur.  

David's tile work is beautiful, as always. 

Mallorie and Erin are using an old cattle yoke into art.  It was a light and Shamila hated it, the yoke is attached to the porch ceiling, and they're hanging beautiful plants from it.  

 

Edited April 21 by CrazyInAlabama

[CrazyInAlabama]

S8.E12 "Treehouses and Tangled Hair" Season 8, Episode 12

New, 4/27/2025

"Ben and Erin help a family move from a Laurel suburb to the countryside and create a stunning new home. The Napiers aim to design a place with ample outdoor space for the kids along with a treehouse, perfect for their next chapter in life."

Amy and Stone Thames want a country house, with a big yard.  They live in a subdivision in Laurel, but want space for the kids to play.  $400,000 or less all in

The Horton House 4 bed 2 bath 3,000 sq ft on 10 acres.  Price is $275,000) $385,000 total with the $110,000 reno included.    .  AMy says house is a little exposed, there's an elementary school across the street.  Nice formal living room, with hardwoods.  Erin says put a big cased opening.  Bedrooms are decent sizes.  Main closet is tiny, but there's a big hallway closet, so combine them.  Kitchen needs a lot of work, it's too small for the size of the house. Make kitchen u-shaped, with lots more cabinets, and a big peninsula, but keep the lovely ceiling.  Already has a big laundry, pantry, mud room.  Back family room is huge, but needs  french doors to the deck. 

The Fitzgerald House, with a big pond, and deck.  4 bed 2 bath, 1800 sq ft, 8 acres of land, $250,000.  House is much further off the road than the Horton House.   

Add a big living room. and turn the current living room into a dining room, current dining room would be combined with the new living room.   Kitchen is outdated, will be changed into a u-shaped kitchen.   Change laundry into pantry and mud room, change the smallest bedroom to a big laundry room.   $400,000 with $150k reno, and 2200 sq ft after the addition.  

Amy and Stone pick the Horton House, because it's close to the school, like the trees, and the house just appealed to them more.   I like that choice for them.   

During demo they find the kitchen beam wasn't installed correctly.  They demo the three closets to maike a decent main closet. Deck will be 10 feet longer.   Ben's going to build a treehouse for the kids.  Josh suggests to build a big playhouse next to the tree in the shade on a 6 ft high platform, 6 x 8 feet for the house. 

Mr. David is not a happy camper about the tile. He doesn't like the tile choice.   However, he likes the back splash running bond pattern.    

The finished house is beautiful. 

Edited April 28 by CrazyInAlabama

[RoxiP]

Although I liked house #2 better I can understand why they picked #1 - it was larger and less expensive, plus the school commute in the morning is going to be incredibly easy...LOL!  I'm kind of with Mr. David - I wasn't a fan of the kitchen floor tile either (although his was a technical issue and I just thought it was kind of boring).  

[Mindthinkr]

I wasn’t impressed (or would have liked) the molding in the formal living room painted blue. 
I thought it was sweet to add the tree house, but it might have looked better set farther back from the house. The stairs also looked so big for the structure. I would have gone with the rope ladder 

[RoxiP]

Quote

 

Oh I forgot about the blue molding - I agree with you.  It reminds me of my grandmother's house back in the 80s when everything was country blue and there were lots of pictures of ducks.

I think the stairs were for safety but I would have liked a handrail at least on one side.  And I didn't understand why they didn't go around the tree - you could easily make the opening big enough that the tree wouldn't be girdled for many, many years to come.

[CrazyInAlabama]

S8.E16 Blast From the Past, New, 5/04/2025

"Ben and Erin take on a beloved Laurel home, bringing it back to the 1950s from its original '70s style. Blending iconic retro charm with modern updates, the Napiers look to create the perfect space for a well-known Laurel couple."

John and Lucy are teachers and minsters, already bought the house in 2014, and want kitchen, bath and laundry restored to a 50's vintage look. 

The King House was  bought by them in 2014, which is 70's era 3 bed 2.5 bath. They want it vintage 50's retro for $100,000 all-in rehab.  The Kings were the owners John and Lucy bought the house from.  

Lucy wants an authenic look 50s kitchen with some improvements, like gas stove.   Bathroom will be totally redone with a cute vanity. So they'll only do the kitchen, main bath, living room, and laundry room.  They're keeping the lower countertops and cabinets, plus the classic drainboard sink.    The beaded curtains have to go.  Why couldn't they save the beaded curtain?   Upper cabinets go. Bathroom tile all goes, Ben wants the mirror, if they can remove it in one piece. 

Ben builds some tables for John and Lucy, and will do a kitchen work island.  

Bathroom is having a problem, floor is strangely uneven concrete. They'll have to level it out with more concrete for $3800.  They have to do a lot of trenching for the toilet move, the sink vanities move, the shower and free standing tub drains.  The living room curtains are fantastic to give the 50's vibe in the living room. 

Kitchen has a nook banquette U-shaped, and Ben is builidng the diner look table.  Erin consults a desiner who can replicate the patterns Erin wants for cork tiles. The shower wall will be a vertical stack, with a mosaid on the shower floor.  Butcher block in the laundry room. 

The banquette cushions and back look beautiful. It's not a dining nook only, but for crafting with grandkids. The kitchen lower cabinets are being reenameled just like a tub. 

Erin goes shopping with a friend, Mary Katherine,  who does estate sales, and a lot of mid-century furniture.  Bathroom wallpaper is lovely, ivory and green. The wallpaper expert says you prime first, so if you need to remove the wallpaper that it's easy to do. 

Tub is a bubble tub, which is 2" too wide to fit through the bathroom door.  They should have made the door 36" for aging in place.  So they remove the door casing to get the tub in. The house is getting vintage look lights and sconces. 

Love the decor and curtains, Erin found for the house.  

House is beautiful, and vintage look.  Erin had the beads and still in the house.  I love the finished house.  The color palette and decor is stunning.   The finished kitchen is spectacular.    I love the banquette and table, and I don't usually like banquettes.  This could seat so many people. The finished laundry and sewing room is beautiful.  Bathroom is so wonderful, between the tile, wallpaper and the rearranged floorplan.   Because of a couple of issues, rehab was $105,000. 

 

Edited May 9 by CrazyInAlabama

[CrazyInAlabama]

S8.E19 "Darlin' Cottage" new, 5/11/2025

"Ben and Erin design an artist's cottage for a former corporate exec and interior designer. The Napiers create museum-quality spaces with textured whites to showcase her art collection, and take on the challenge of designing two separate kitchens."

Mundise Mortimer.  is an interior designer, and Erin is worried about designing a house for her.  Mundise is an artist, moving back to Laurel near where her sister, Malorise, lives two hours away.     

House 1-The Bonney House, 2 bed 2 bath 1600, $250,000. Cute rambler style.  Erin's color paletter for the exterior is lovely, with a canvas striped awning over the porch.   Interior, is nice, with lovely oak floors, and a huge fireplace. Erin says do museum white interior, to show off Mundise's art collection. Mundise wants to do a scullery kitchen, the messy kitchen, and the regular kitchen.  Regular or hangout kitchen goes in where the dining room was, with a big island with seating.  Old kitchen is small and does the scullery for dirty dishes and prep work.   Scullery has another sink, fridge, oven, and for preping food.   Another bonus room will be the art studio.  Backyard is kind of big for city yards, but big enough for gardening, and entertaining.   Ben will do builtins for the studio, and could doube for a dinner table.   $365,000 all in with rehab. 

House 2-Geer House, 4 bed 2 bath 2,000 $300,000.   Adorable house. Erin wants to save money by not painting the entire exterior, just the trim and door. Right across from a park.  Interior has lovely wood floors.   Museum white for art work display.  Current kitchen will become the scullery kitchen, and dining will become the entertaining kitchen with an island with seating and a down draft vent for the stove. Nice screened in porch. Scullery will have a fridge, dishwasher, oven.    Sunporch will become the studio, and dining table.   All in price is $400,000, but a much bigger house.  She'll have to do the bedrooms later. 

Mundise picked House #1, the Bonney House. She liked the layout of the house, and the scullery and entertaining kitchen.    This house is also $365,000 so $35,000 cheaper than the Geer House. 

Ben's building a dining room/art studio table, counter height table on wheels, with a moving box for storing art that will nest under the main table.    He also constructs built-in storage for Mundise's art work. Erin meets with the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art director, George Bassey, to find the best wall color. The art director went to college with Mundise.  The paint will have variations in finish, semigloss,  high gloss, eggshell, and satin. 

Everything is white, cabinets, countertops, walls. island is a medium wood. 

MIke the flooring guru is back!   Canvas front awning had to be custom ordered, to get one without a scallop. The frame and awning canvas aren't fitting together.  They have to cut the frame down, and it works.   Ben's going to make tall wooden pedestals for the pottery collection. 

Mundise is so thrilled with the house exterior, and especially the awning.  The fireplace color is perfect, and the added built-ins are lovely.   The two kitchens are perfect, and the art/dining room is so perfect for Mundise.  I like the scullery kitchen has a big one bowl sink, but isn't an apron sink. Mike did a lovely job patching in the small area that needed more flooring. 

Mundise bought the house for a cheaper price so all in it was $325,000. 

 

 

Edited May 12 by CrazyInAlabama

[RoxiP]

Honestly I preferred the higher ceilings in the second house but wasn't mine to choose!

Erin did the best possible job she could of making this house not sterile by adding the wood accents, and of course the lovely floor (loved seeing the floor guy once again!).  The wooden pedestals Ben built were very nice.  I get that this woman wanted an art gallery more than she wanted a home - obviously she doesn't have small children in her life that run rampant.  I'm sure the house meets her needs but it didn't seem like a home to me (but apparently that was what she wanted).  It was well done but not a place designed to make you feel comfortable.

Don't even get me started on the two kitchens - again - more about show than living.

[jah1986]

I did not like the final product. I thought the two kitchens was just unnecessary. And the house was too busy with paintings everywhere. I didn't even like the table Ben made, it was nice but not as a dining room table. The pedestals were nice though. I chalked it up to artists having a different eye for what they like. She seemed happy. Her sister seemed underwhelmed.

[chediavolo]

Thank God, they didn’t buy and destroy the second house as Erin was explaining she was going to do. For some reason, I was annoyed by the homeowner. Maybe because what fool wants two kitchens?  Who the hell wants a kitchen just for show to hang out in? I agree it did not turn out very nice. It looks more like a sterile or gallery than a house. And in my opinion, I didn’t even like the art but that’s just me. Very disappointed in this entire makeover. 

[Scatterbrained]

My guess is that “the scullery” is really the “hired help hub” and the “show kitchen” is the cocktail party buffet station.  I suspect she thinks she’s going to do a lot of entertaining.

[Mindthinkr]

30 minutes ago, Scatterbrained said:

My guess is that “the scullery” is really the “hired help hub” and the “show kitchen” is the cocktail party buffet station.  I suspect she thinks she’s going to do a lot of entertaining.

I think she is going to use it as a private gallery to sell her art in. 
It wasn’t my cup of tea either (or the art). 

[Scatterbrained]

21 minutes ago, Mindthinkr said:

I think she is going to use it as a private gallery to sell her art in. 
It wasn’t my cup of tea either (or the art). 

Yeah, I think she’ll use the house as a gallery with cocktail parties to bring the customers into the space.  The show helps give her “exposure”.  I’m still trying to figure out the “corporate executive interior designer” job description.  One job?  Or two jobs?  Honestly, I thought the frequent “corporate executive” mentions seemed pretentious.  

[RoxiP]

Perhaps she designed interior spaces for corporations?  

Pretentious - I can see that.

[Scatterbrained]

It has since occurred to me that perhaps the constant use of the term “corporate executive” is to use it as a buzzword to plant in people’s (viewer’s) brains that Laurel is a great place for high wage earners to retire.  

If they can’t get “young families” (their original desire) to move to Laurel and build the town back up, then retirees with $$$ will do.  They can pivot and revitalize the town that way.  
 

Let’s call it “Lifestyle Laurel!”

[Mindthinkr]

That’s a good take on the situation. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

S8.E16 "Let the Good Times Roll"   New, 5/18/2025

"A woman looks to trade New Orleans excitement for a serene home, and Ben and Erin are inspired to create a house that honors her musical history."

Ackie Donsereaux stepped off the train, spent three days in Laurel, and decided to move there.   She rode the train to Laurel from NOLA again.  

She wants $350,000 all in.  Her dad is Huey 'Piano" Smith a famous musiciion. 

House 1 Skipsworth House, former office building. 3 bed 2 bath $185,000.  1800 sq ft, interesting exterior, big porch. Erin wants to repaint and put on shutters. Her friends are the Beaucoup Girls, and they visit about once a month.   Living room is wild, great floors, and tin ceiling, or paint the ceiling.  Kitchen will move to another room, and dining room will relocate.  Proposed kitchen would look spectacular, with a big pantry.   fix the acoustic tile ceilings.   There's a music room, the former owner was a music and choir teacher.   I like the tin ceilings, and wish they would just paint them. Main bedroom and closet are moving, fix the ceiling and paneling, and put in a main bathroom with a big walk in shower,  and closet.  All in price is $335,000. 

House 2-the Patrick House, quieter neighborhood 3 bed 2.5 bath 2200 sq ft, $185,000 price.  Erin will update the exterior and update the windows, replace the front door, house has a basement.   There's a sunroom also.  Erin says make the dining room into a music room, take out all of the carpet and fix the floors.   wident the doorway into the new dining room.  Kitchen is wallpapered everywhere.  Erin wants to move the dining room door, add a couple of china cabinets, change the cabinets out, with french doors to the back yard. Den and sunporch need sheet rock walls, fix the ceiling.  Main bedroom is one of the biggest I've ever seen, and Ackie likes the wallpaper, en suite is small, and will be combined with the closet, enlarge the door, and build a huge walk-in closet, and remove the wallpaper.  All in $350,000. She immediately wants this house. 

She bought #2 the Patrick House.

Changing the windows makes such a difference, and adding the french doors from the kitchen look wonderful.  I love the new windows. The new windows are double pane, and much more energy efficient. Ben and Josh build a beautiful bench to go over the basement light well.   Main bedroom closets and bathroom are spectacular.  There's a big linen closet in the bathroom.    To get the bathroom vanity in the main bathroom, they have to take the door out. Erin's going to wallpaper the back wall of the two built-in china closets with glass doors in the kitchen.   They buy a piano for the house, Ackie has always wanted a piano.  

Kitchen cabinets are a lovely cream color, and the same color in the bathroom too. This must have been filmed Fall of 2024, because for their anniversary Erin and Ben went to NYC to see the Rockettes show, and it looked like the Christmas one.  

The didn't want a 4" backsplash quartz edge, so David will remove it, and tile the basket weave pattern for the tile, and changes to the running bond pattern. Bathroom looks lovely, with the same wallpaper in the kitchen cabinets. Artist Mark Brown will do a sculpture of Ackie's father.  Mark Brown does mixed media sculptures, and is also an art professor at Jones College. 

The finished house is beautiful.  The piano they bought is so lovely, with the sculpture of her dad, and the drawing of him right there. The music room is perfect.   Dining room is great too, kitchen is spectacular.  I love the big dark green apron sink, coordinates with the back splash tile. The sunroom is beautiful too.  Ackie has a party planned with her friends from NOLA. Main bedroom, bath and closet are lovely, and bedroom is still huge.  As a fellow resident of tornado alley, I appreciate that the main bathroom doesn't have a window for use as a safe room in bad weather.  Final price all-in, $350,000 right on budget. 

Edited May 19 by CrazyInAlabama

[RoxiP]

Looking forward to watching this one after it airs for me tonight - so actually two safety zones - bathroom and basement (a rarity in the south).

[CrazyInAlabama]

S8.E18 “Making a Splash” new, 5/25/2025

“Ben and Erin rise to the challenge for their friends who want to transform their historic home's backyard into a private retreat with a pool and art studio.”

Adam and Lilly Trest, you may remember them from the farm Ben and Erin designed for them.  They lived in houses Ben and Erin designed for them three times.   

They want to live in the next house forever, with a pool and big art studio for Adam. They also want privacy, a pool, and the art studio. 

Budget for the remodel is $150,000. The pool will require tree work, power line moves so the lines aren't right over the pool. Adam wants 500 sq ft, and on the street side to increase the privacy.   Covered outdoor seating area.   They live in the Historic Districk, so will have to get approval from them for changes, like the art studio. 

Ginko tree should be fine, and the art studio will be built on piers, because the slab would probably kill the oak trees eventually.  Art studio will be about $100,000, but pool could be $80,000 if gunite, so they can't do both.   I would do the studio, and an above ground pool, which is easier to secure by removing the ladder, and locking the gate.  They have to decide if the studio/office is priority, or the pool. 

Adam and Lilly decide the pool is a priority, so Adam will have to lease a space.  This is the first pool Erin and Ben had built from scratch. Pool will be 12' x 24', with a hot tub on one corner,  and will be built so it looks like the age of the house.  Chance, Katie's husband works with the pool company, and he's the supervisor of the project. 

They find a water line the hard way, but it gets fixed. 

Adam and Lilly find a store across from the park, and downtown. Front of store will be the display and sales place, with a studio in the back for his work.  The house work to move the electric lines is done.   

They pick the tile for the pool, the water edge, the coping on the deck, and the color of the pool plaster. They put the tile in a fish tank to see if the colors change, and they do. 

Adam's storefront design is interesting.   

They're building a wall to block the street view, and a gazebo. Adam's beautiful tiles will be on the back wall of the gazebo/pool house.  Ben's going to build a coffee table from a slice of oak tree stump. The beverage center will be granite, if Ben can piece it back together, because the granite remant Ben had broke on the way to the workshop. 

Fence and landscaping will fix the privacy issue in the back yard.  I love seeing the new tile patterns from Adam's collection. David can't tile until the weather warms up.  Buffet granite top didn't work, so Josh's butcher block is better, and beautiful. 

Finished store front is spectacular, floor is great too. Store has tile, wallpaper, fabrics, and artwork. The walls are moveable for different events. 

Finished pool is lovely, and finished store is spectacular. 

 

 

Edited May 26 by CrazyInAlabama

[Facts Only]

On 5/24/2025 at 7:53 AM, CrazyInAlabama said:

This is the first pool Erin and Ben had built from scratch. Pool will be 12' x 24'

That is a very small pool. And a very hefty price.

[chediavolo]

Stick to interiors please. Not interested in seeing people with a hefty disposable income redesign their backyard. And who the hell moves every two years. What a couple of wackos. 
also, the walkway made out of the square paver stone or whatever they’re called is absolutely insane. First of all I know from experience they are not easy to maneuver and who’s gonna be cutting all that grass that grows in between the stones! Plus, they have the outdoor table sitting on them.How idiotic . 

[jah1986]

Is this show nearing its end? Building a pool? Does no one want to move to Laurel anymore? They move every two years? Who does that? And with three kids?

I thought it was a waste of money. The pool looked nice, as did the gazebo, but there was not enough privacy and it seems like anyone could just walk in off the street and be in their yard.

The art studio was very nice. It was nice to meet Katie's husband.

Is this their final season of the show?

[CrazyInAlabama]

My understanding is the show is renewed for a few more seasons. 

I bet the Trest's are riding the property ladder, buy, reno, and resell in a few years building equity and profits, that are tax sheltered after living in the property for two years or more.   I think getting the store front was a good idea, you don't have a family life with the store and studio being in your back yard.   

 

In their place I would have had an above ground pool put in, with the huge deck, and you could remove the ladder or have a locking gate when it wasn't being supervised.   

[chediavolo]

8 hours ago, jah1986 said:

Is this show nearing its end? Building a pool? Does no one want to move to Laurel anymore? They move every two years? Who does that? And with three kids?

I thought it was a waste of money. The pool looked nice, as did the gazebo, but there was not enough privacy and it seems like anyone could just walk in off the street and be in their yard.

The art studio was very nice. It was nice to meet Katie's husband.

Is this their final season of the show?

What an awful life just to make a buck. Moving every two years?  that is insanity. And those poor kids have to change schools so often, they’ll never have lifelong friends and it’s definitely going to affect them. These people should really think about the sanity of their family instead of the almighty dollar.

seems like a waste of money to me also. I don’t see how they’re ever going to recoup that when they move and they probably will be moving soon. I don’t believe that they are loving it there now and are going to stay.

Edited Tuesday at 08:56 PM by chediavolo

[Scatterbrained]

I think it was just a way to have an easy filler episode.  Since most of the work was done by pool people and the gazebo was done in a day or two, all they really had to do was film at the site.  The art studio offers business advertising and promotes downtown Laurel and the “”Laurel Arts Community” which the show seems to be promoting a lot this season.  People who purchase art tend to have a decent amount of expendable income.  I think they want art buying tourist to drive in or take the train.    It seems like they have a carriage house with apartment above (maybe it’s a neighboring property).  I wonder if that will be a future episode.  

[RoxiP]

I am not certain how many schools Laurel has but since most of their moves have been in the Laurel area perhaps the schools have remained the same.  

I thought the pool was going to be very small but it looks nice in proportion to the size of the back yard.  

I used to move every couple of years (of course I was single with no children).  Now I live in an RV so if I choose to move everything can just go with me...LOL!

[Mindthinkr]

This show seems to be veering off in a different direction than the original formula. It’s interesting, but I’m not sure that I want to watch a renovation show that caterers to showcasing the people in their town and promoting them. 
 

Really? Erin didn’t know that Mr David couldn’t tile in below freezing weather? Seems like a no brainer for folks in their business. However he seems like an even keeled man who does good work. 

[RoxiP]

Perhaps Erin did know that but was passing along information to an uninformed viewing audience (not sure I would have known that but then again I've only tiled a time or two).

I am always happiest when they throw in a true home renovation because to me that is the heart and soul of the show.  I'm sure a lot of the things we see are production driven, or perhaps Ben and Erin feel like they are repeating themselves and are reluctant to do so.

 

[Scatterbrained]

I’d rather see unique stuff from real people they know vs a bunch of mass produced and mass marketed stuff (that’s usually ugly) as seen on some other HGTV shows.  
 

I miss shows that were about design like Designing for the Sexes or Divine Design.