Ben and Erin Napier Restore This 1920s Craftsman Home to Its Former Beauty and Charm

Erin and Ben Napier knew this 1920s charmer would fit the bill for Rhonda and her husband Jay. They were looking for a project home, and wanted to ensure no matter what was done, the original features of the home would be preserved (music to Erin and Ben’s ears!). With a budget of $185,000, this bungalow was a steal at $65,000, and left plenty of room in the budget for the projects Erin and Ben had in mind (and as sweet as the home was, it certainly had its reno and design challenges!).

Read: 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Erin and Ben Napier

Erin’s first order of business was painting the home’s exterior. She felt the navy was overwhelming, and wanted to restore the original design of a Craftsman home, which typically features a trio of colours on the exterior. She painted the siding and brick a warm gold, used a dusty orange on the window trim and door, and opted for a muted mossy green for the base and stairs of the home. The colours are sweet and charming, and instantly put a smile on Rhonda’s and Jay’s faces when they arrived for the big reveal!

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The home was unique in that it had truly gone untouched since the 1920s (save for a few bizarre updates). The kitchen was cramped, closed off, and lacked all appliances. Erin had a vision to open it up; adds loads of cabinetry and a beautiful island; and create a colour scheme that felt warm and inviting for family and friends. But this wouldn’t be a Home Town project if Erin and Ben weren’t upcycling! Although the original sink didn’t fit with the design for the kitchen, Erin put it to good use in the beautiful new laundry room.

Related: Go behind-the-scenes on this makeover in this episode of the digital-exclusive series Erin’spired.

Rhonda and Jay couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw the renovated kitchen. Rhonda was so shocked, she could barely bring herself to touch anything! Erin had taken down a wall to make the kitchen much larger, creating room for the green island, which instantly draws the eye and invites guests to gather round. The hood over the stove had been painted lime green at some point in the home’s history, but instead of tossing it, Erin stripped it and spray painted it. The shape is beautiful, and lends a farmhouse feel to the beautiful space.

Read: Country Chic Kitchen Redesigns by Joanna Gaines

After Ben went to work tearing out the Styrofoam panels that had been placed on the ceiling, the Napiers were thrilled to discover the original ceiling was beautiful woodwork. It easily lent itself to the rich, cozy vibe Erin had in mind for the room. She paired a sophisticated leather sofa with curtains in a William Morris print (a designer from the 1920s), and accessorized with autumnal hues and vintage pieces.

Wherever possible, Erin and Ben paid respect to the home’s original design. They decided against painting any of the original woodwork, like this walkway between the living and dining room, which featured built-in shelving with glass doors. The homeowners were thrilled to see these pieces restored to their original glory. Their hope all along was to focus on preservation. For the few new pieces required in the home, like an entryway bench seen to the right, Ben built them himself, and did so in a 1920s style, to keep cohesion throughout the space.

Read: How to Transform a Dated Century-Old Home Into a Light-Drenched Dream

Erin and Ben explored a shed on the property and discovered a set of four beautiful cane chairs. After restoring them, Erin used them throughout the home, seen here in the home office. Erin also maintained the original, built-in corner bookshelf, and found accessories that made the office feel cozy and inspiring. (We bet the homeowners are feeling pretty grateful for their home office right about now!)

Rhonda and Jay didn’t need all four bedrooms that existed when they bought the bungalow, so Ben tore down a wall between two rooms, allowing Erin to design a dream master bedroom and bathroom for the couple. She opted for a serene blue to give the bedroom a tranquil vibe, that still flattered the warm hues of the home. And she restored the room’s fireplace, ensuring the original 1920s charm extended to every room of the home!

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There’s so much to love in this 1920s redesign, but this room was Erin’s favourite! She created a spacious primary bathroom for the couple, that had a large shower for Jay, and an elegant soaker tub for Rhonda. And there’s another one of those restored cane chairs that Erin scored on the property! When your bathroom is big enough for decorative furniture, you know you’ve made it!

Leave it to Erin and Ben Napier to honour 1920s design, while still creating a space that has all the comforts of modern day living. Their ability to see beauty in the forgotten is what makes their restorations so special, and the little touches, like Erin’s DIY pressed flower art and Ben’s made-by-hand bench become stories in the home’s rich history.

Read: You Won’t Believe How This Once-Empty Heritage Home Was Restored