Quote Of The Day By Erin Napier: 'In 1955, My Grandparents Built The Home Where My Parents Lived When I Was Born...'

Erin Napier's career has been deeply connected to the past from the start. Raised on a farm in Laurel, Mississippi, Napier stayed in the state to attend college, first at Jones County Junior College, and later at Ole Miss. While in school, she met her now-husband and TV co-host, Ben, but her career in interior design wasn't sparked right away. She first ran a wedding stationery business, putting her experience in graphic design to good use, but when she was scouted by an HGTV executive for her very own show set in her hometown of Laurel, it was an offer she couldn't refuse.

On "Home Town," Erin and Ben Napier work to revive old and dilapidated buildings in the town, boosting both the appearance and economy of the area. While neither part of this pair had much experience in the home renovation world, Erin's love of design and Ben's knowledge of woodworking proved to be a winning combo. Rather than completely wiping and modernizing these homes, the Napiers' approach sought to restore them to their former glory, making them livable and comfortable while still maintaining their historical charm. Decorating your home like Erin Napier is all about honoring the past, and her renovations on HGTV are perfect examples of that.

Napier's unique perspective on design can act as a fantastic reminder of the value of home, history, and family. That's why she's the source of House Digest's quote of the day.

Napier's full quote reads: "In 1955, my grandparents built the home where my parents lived when I was born, and it wasn't a house you would see on Pinterest. It was a regular house with linoleum flooring and laminate countertops. I would give anything to have photos of it now because I can never go back there. I can never be a toddler in that house again."

This anecdote comes from a 2023 interview with Homes and Gardens. In it, Napier discusses the inspiration behind her book, "Heirloom Rooms," a collection of photos and essays that show glimpses into the lives and homes of friends and designers. She emphasizes the importance of sentimentality, history, and memories, framing these rooms as locations where life happens rather than staged collections of objects.

Napier's view on design is refreshing to see in an interior design world that so heavily focuses on trends and appearances. Whether you're renovating a historic house or simply honoring the memories you have in your existing space, her perspective can act as a reminder of the true meaning of home.

Seeing picture-perfect, staged rooms in magazines and on social media can majorly impact our perception of what our homes should look like, but Napier's quote helps to bring us back to center. Her nostalgia for her grandparents' house is real and deep, regardless of its outdated kitchen trends or less-than-chic decor, because of the memories it held. "I want people to enjoy their homes not for their beauty but for what happens there," Napier shared in the Homes and Gardens interview. What makes a home special isn't newly-laid tile or top-of-the-line appliances — it's the fact that it's a space for us to live our lives and enjoy our connections with others.

Rather than pulling straight from Pinterest or buying the same prints you've seen thousands of times simply because they look nice, add personal touches to your home decor. Frame family photos, display childhood toys, and build spaces that are designed with your needs and lifestyle in mind. Interior design has been shown to have a direct impact on our mental health, and having reminders of your favorite moments around can be incredibly comforting and heartwarming.

Napier's experience in losing access to her grandparents' home issues us another reminder, too: Document your memories. As the decades roll on, physical reminders of the past can help us to hold on to our precious moments. Take photos and keep sentimental items. Even if it seems silly in the moment, you might enjoy looking back on them one day.

• "We are all old houses, altered by time and circumstances. Our lives are shaped by the good and the bad, and we take it all in and make it a part of us." — from "Make Something Good Today: A Memoir"
• "'How perfect and clever can our houses be?' seems to be the refrain of social media. But what about the life lived in those rooms? The styling can be an outward reflection of who we are and what we love — but really, our houses are the backdrops of our lives and celebrations and failures, of growing families." — from a 2023 post on Napier's Instagram
• "I am still that quiet, sometimes shy girl who fell madly in love with the big, bearded, boisterous son of a preacher. We each have our own special qualities, and God can use them. If we're open to the opportunities. If we let go of our fears and focus on our hopes. If we look for the blessings that come every day." — from a 2018 Guideposts story
• "Many people come to us with a very plain house and ask for advice on finding a starting point for their family. However, the way our homes look is just a small part of the story. What happens after designing is the most interesting to me." — from a 2023 Homes and Gardens interview
• "You have to do and see new things for your brain to take snapshots that make life feel lasting. As much as trying new things scared me, I resolved to start. And hoped that it would get easier." — from "Make Something Good Today: A Memoir"