Ben & Erin Napier Respond To Fan Criticism Of ‘Home Town’

Ben Napier | YouTube

Ben and Erin Napier have one of the more popular series airing on HGTV right now. Their show, Home Town, helped HGTV earn its largest-ever monthly ratings increase in early 2024. However, as the show wore on, people began to complain about the decorating styles, and many insulted the look of the homes.

Ben and Erin Napier have taken the time to respond to some of the comments on social media, and here is what they had to say.

Fans Bashing Ben and Erin Napier Design Choices

Fans have been tuning into Home Town in great numbers. Three million people viewed the January 14 episode early in 2024, and that was just a sample of the numbers that Ben and Erin Napier have seen their show reach throughout the year. However, with so many viewers, there are just as many people around to bash the show.

Erin Napier | YouTube
Erin Napier | YouTube

HGTV seems to love the couple and the reality show, calling it “feel-good programming” and the network enjoys the high ratings the show brings in. However, there are plenty of people who have gone onto social media to bash the show. Some of these fans hated design choices. Others don’t like the over-the-top emotional stories around the redesigns.

There are several examples of things that fans have gone online to complain about. In one episode, fans bashed a homeowner who wanted to keep the terracotta flooring in their house. Another instance saw Erin using wooden slats instead of solid drywall to eliminate negative space. Fans felt it was wrong to have the toilet exposed to the living space. In another instance, red paint caused fans to revolt.

There are even fans who feel that Home Town is not even interested in good redesigns. Instead, some fans feel it is just there to promote the couple’s store, Laurel Mercantile Co.

Over time, it seems fans will complain about anything they don’t personally like in the home designs. This has not gone over well with Ben and Erin, and they have responded to some of the complaints.

Ben And Erin Napier Answer Their Critics From Home Town

Ben and Erin Napier made some comments in response to the critics. They were not just there to defend themselves, though. The couple feels that the people who are bashing the houses online don’t realize these are real people’s homes, and they are bashing the homeowners’ personal tastes.

 

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A post shared by Erin Napier (@erinapier)

In one case, Erin responded to people complaining about swapping striped awning for an arched porch. Erin said the episode “was edited such that you didn’t hear the part where we learned the cost … would have made it too expensive to have any woodwork and larger trim inside” (via House Digest).

As for the insults on how the homeowners wanted their houses to look, Erin had a more pointed comment. “Y’all realize we design these houses for people who really live in them,” she said. “If you can’t think of something nice to say about these people’s homes … Don’t say anything at all.”

What are your thoughts on Home Town? Do you agree with Ben and Erin Napier asking people to show more kindness when commenting on people’s homes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Shawn Lealos
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8 Comments

  1. I agree with what Erin had to say. these are real people with their own ho.es so be kind or leave your comments to yourself. I frankly love this show & see nothing wrong with the design work.

    1. I agree with Erin. I won’t stop watching. If I have any criticism, I discuss it with my friends in the room, but to go online and bash is not cool.

    2. I agree with Erin in her response to those who have criticized some of her design choices for those fortunate folks who’ve come to Laurel and the Napiers for help in finding a home. “If you have nothing nice to say…say nothing at all!”
      I mean, really, who asked y’all what you think? I’d you cannot be polite you should not speak at all!

  2. I love that Ben and Erin always make their clients feel at home in their own home and I would be so fortunate to be able to have my own home. My mother always said if you don’t like it get out of the kitchen.

  3. I love you guys and I love the work you do. I to grew up in a small town in Kentucky And I get it. Those online trolls that don’t know how to treat other people well all I can say is how unfortunate for them. They feel authorized to be an evil soul much like Trump gives his followers the authority to be just S nasty as he is.

    1. Look! This show is about binging people to a down home community and gvgthem. Resh start. I think they do a beautiful job remodeling these old homes. They are beautiful when they finish.To be so talented. They can come work on mine anytime they feel like it. I love Ben and Erin and they are fantastic people and parents. Trump has nothing to do with this show! And he is a great person too!

  4. I love you two on this very popular show! You two demonstrated love For each other and your family and friends which is very addictive and you guys are doing excellent remodeling construction work with love ❤️ and it puts smiles on all of your customers faces within the estimated budgets and time performed. Who could compete with your wholesomeness love for your surrounding communities!

  5. I have watched Hometown with Ben and Erin sense it began, she designs what her clients want, and I love the show. So if you don’t like what you see watch something else Erin is not designing for you.

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