HGTV is known for some of the best power couples in reality television. Joanna and Chip Gaines. Jenny and Dave Marrs. Erin and Ben Napier. But what if we found a universe in which two power couples wives teamed up to create HGTV’s dynamic design duo? As two of the contemporaries to Joanna Gaines, Erin Napier and Jenny Marrs have redefined Southern style design on their shows Home Town and Fixer to Fabulous, respectively.
Despite often being compared to one another, Erin and Jenny live in their own design aesthetic universe. And yet, their simpatico design prowess might make them a potentially powerful super team. They have collaborated in the past on Home Town Takeover, but their admiration and respect for one another has caused us to wonder how their collaboration would melt HGTV fans’ brains in the best way possible.
Jenny and Erin Teamed Up on ‘Home Town Takeover’
Erin and Jenny came up the ranks on HGTV around the same time. Home Town kicked off in 2016, while Fixer to Fabulous premiered a year later. Both focusing on revitalizing homes in their hometowns, they introduced a love of helping others and restoring the history that has been lost in time. Despite filling a similar host archetype, they both brought their own signature charm to their respective shows, allowing them to come together during the second season of Home Town Takeover.
It was such a success that Jenny and Dave were back for Season 3 for a cameo in Sebring, Fla. Jenny loved the experience so much that she shared her jubilation on Instagram. Along with a carousel of videos and photos, Jenny wrote, “It was so good to be back with the Home Town Takeover crew and to see a town in need of some TLC being transformed right before our eyes. This is such a special place, and it was truly an honor to be a small part of this project (the kids are getting older and busier than ever, so a couple of days away was all we could manage this year!). Thanks for having us back, Erin and Ben!” Erin was overjoyed with the love and shared the post on her Instagram story, writing, “Always SO thankful for how yall show up for us! Thank you Jenn and Dave!”
Erin and Jenny Are Friends Not Foes
Having the opportunity to collaborate on such a special project has allowed the women to grow close and learn about one another, as wives, mothers, and designers. Both the Napiers and Marrs have been able to embark on spin-off projects for the network. Rather than forming a rivalry, there is a mutual respect. Upon learning the news that Jenny and Dave were going international with their series Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano in 2024, Erin took to the comment section of the Instagram announcement to share her exuberance.
Back in 2023, when Jenny launched her book House + Love = Home, she shared some advice her friend gave to her. Revealing how she wrote the book as a letter to her children, she said, “[That] was something Erin had encouraged me [to do] early on,” she said. “When I was writing, and I was like ‘How did you find time, how did you do this?’ It’s so overwhelming when you think about finding the time, but also thinking about critics reading it. She was like ‘Don’t think about them. Just think about writing it to your kids.’ So that’s what I did, and that was wonderful advice from her.”
Could Erin and Jenny Have a Mom-Centric Team Up?
They may be designers, but Jenny and Erin have bonded tremendously over motherhood. Being in the public eye, Jenny and Erin share similar theories on how best to shield their children from fame. In a joint interview with HGTV celebrating Mother’s Day, Erin said, “We try to warn them, ‘People you don’t know will know your name, but it doesn’t mean that you know them and you don’t have to talk to anybody.'” Jenny followed up by saying, “My kids know that we go to our job. We’ve always built houses, and they’ve always been on job sites. That’s how they’ve grown up.” While both moms have shared their families on social media, they still find it important to keep their personal lives separated. When they go out with their kids, they do not take photos with fans. It’s a boundary they set to protect their kids.
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With seven kids between the two, they have an abundance of words of wisdom. “[Motherhood] is a really awesome, sacred and holy privilege,” Jenny said. “The [best] part about being a mother is being able to shepherd and guide and love these little people who are such a part of me, [and also] so apart from me.” For Erin’s part, she said, “It feels like everything I say and do is going to be a part of who she is, and there’s a big responsibility there.” Being designers and mothers, perhaps there’s a future mom-centric team up raring to go. Maybe a book or an advice show? No matter what they do, both women’s adoration for one another is why they continue to be so beloved on HGTV.
Home Town and Fixer to Fabulous are available to stream on Max.
