Erin Napier has a personal connection to her latest home town client.
In an exclusive first look at Sunday’s episode of HGTV, Erin and husband Ben Napier help Suzie, her late friend Mandy Buchanan’s cousin, make a decision involving Suzie’s parents’ home that she recently inherited.
Suzie, her husband Scott, and their son Seth must decide whether to stay in their current residence or use their renovation budget to renovate her parents’ house next door.
In the exclusive sneak peek above, Erin admires the many Buchanan paintings hanging on Suzie’s walls.
“I’ve loved Mandy’s work all my life,” says Erin. “Mandy was a good friend of mine. She was a real artist. I have included her paintings in many of the houses we have done.”
Erin and Ben Napier work with Suzie, her husband Scott and their son Seth on Sunday’s ‘Home Town.’
HGTV
Suzie then explains that her cousin, a resident of Laurel, Miss., has been her “best friend for life.”
She adds that her mother Nan died in January 2023, shortly after Buchanan’s death from cancer in November 2022.
“In less than three months, I lost the two most important people in my life,” says Suzie. “To be able to be a part of something as special as this really helped.”
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As highlights of Buchanan’s colorful floral work are shown, Erin tells Suzie, “Well, I’m excited to use your vast collection of Mandy’s work, no matter where it’s been.”
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Erin Napier’s late friend Mandy Buchanan appeared on ‘Home Town’.
HGTV
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Erin paid tribute to Buchanan shortly after her death with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram that included a video of the artist during an appearance on home town.
“My friend @mandybuchanan,” Erin began the caption. “But before she became my friend, she was a famous painter in my teenage mind: equal to Van Gogh or Monet. I would see her work hanging in the most decorated homes and hear her name, not knowing that she was a local girl who lived just down the road from me.”
Erin went on to say that she was “blessed” to meet Buchanan after Erin graduated from art school herself.
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“She was radiant. She fainted and glowed. She and her joyful, energetic art were inseparable: she painted her brave spirit into every piece,” Erin wrote. “The world lost her to cancer yesterday, and while we felt that sad moment coming for several days, the loss of her light a the love in this town and all the ways she volunteered and made people feel special is so profound.”
“We couldn’t have prepared for this kind of grief,” Erin continued. “Laurel will never be the same. She is an icon. And God, how we will all miss him. Please pray for her husband, sons, mom and friends who were like family.”
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Source: HIS Education