Home Town Takeover: The Homes

Home Town heroes Erin and Ben Napier take their home restoration skills on the road -- to the scenic Southern town of Wetumpka, Alabama. Take a photo tour of some of the vintage and historic homes they helped renovate as part of the HGTV series Home Town Takeover.

By: David L. Haynes

Show: Home Town Takeover

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Anders Krusberg

Photo By: Jessica McGowan/Getty

Photo By: Anders Krusberg

Photo By: Jessica McGowan/Getty

Photo By: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images, Jessica McGowan/Getty Images, Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Photo By: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Photo By: Anders Krusberg

Photo By: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Photo By: Anders Krusberg

Wetumpka, Alabama — Help Has Arrived!

Following an epic search for the ideal location, Erin and Ben Napier begin their new adventure, expanding the scope of their signature mission of saving historic homes and community structures — and to help build and restore community — beyond the borders of their hometown of Laurel, MS. Here they're seen in the chosen historic town of Wetumpka, AL, on the Bibb Graves Bridge, one of the town's most distinctively identifiable key features.

Welcome to Wetumpka

The town of Wetumpka, population around 7000, is about a 30-minute drive from Montgomery, Alabama, and sits on the banks of the scenic Coosa River. The town's natural resources, scenery and bucolic appeal make it a prime destination for outdoor and whitewater enthusiasts.

A Classic Small-Town Downtown

As a sort of prototypical small, quiet Southern town, Wetumpka has served as a desirable film location. Movies shot here include The Rosa Parks Story, The Grass Harp, based on a novel by Truman Capote, and the fantastical period piece, Big Fish directed by Tim Burton. Like many small, rural communities, however, Wetumpka's downtown has suffered somewhat from disuse and financial hardship. In addition to home rescues, Ben and Erin plan to focus some of their efforts in Wetumpka on assisting and enhancing some historic downtown businesses.

Home Town Takeover — Project 1: The Moody House

The debut project for Home Town Takeover was a straightforward upgrade for the home of Casey and Ray Moody, a young, energetic couple and devoted foster parents. Their brick home, built in 1948, will need to accommodate multiple family members and could use some practical contemporary upgrades to enhance space allocation and functionality.

Including Special HGTV Guests ...

Taking on a multifaceted renovation of an entire town is no small feat As such, Ben and Erin enlist the assistance of a wide array of skilled professionals, specialists, and region-centric artisans and craftspeople — not to mention a few special guests from the HGTV family. For the Moody House project, Dave and Jenny Marrs, of the HGTV series Fixer to Fabulous lend some helping hands.

... Oh, and One Other Special Guest

Legendary rock artist and nine-time Grammy winner — and certified Home Town fan — Sheryl Crow also couldn't resist an opportunity to be part of the epic and unique undertaking that is Home Town Takeover. Sheryl participated in the renovation projects and also performed an impromptu musical set for Wetumpka townsfolk.

Meet the Moodys

Dave Marrs (left) works with Casey and Ray Moody to add updated columns at the Moody house.

The Moody Project

BEFORE: Front Exterior.

The Moody Project

AFTER: Front Exterior. The home gets a new profile and vibrant color upgrade with green paint, new shutters, fresh landscaping and a novel makeover of the carport to create outdoor living space.

From: Erin Napier and Ben Napier

The Moody Project

AFTER: Front Exterior. Natural wood shutters and the fresh white trim and brick provide visual complements to the green exterior. Cedar shakes on the gables coordinate visually with the new functional shutters.

The Moody Project

BEFORE: Front Entrance.

The Moody Project

AFTER: Front Entrance. A striking green front door and new sconce help to create an enhanced first impression at the Moody home.

The Moody Project

New wooden stairs, columns and durable outdoor furniture transform the carport into a relaxing and versatile outdoor space.

The Moody Project

BEFORE: Living Room. Prior to the renovation, the living space was cluttered, visually plain and felt closed off. Homeowners Casey and Ray escribed it as "a dark dungeon."

The Moody Project

AFTER: Living Room. The Moody's living room gets a visual upgrade with new wood flooring and modern but casual and inviting furnishings. "Every choice we made in this living room," said Erin, "was about durability."

The Moody Project

BEFORE. Living Room and Kitchen.

The Moody Project

AFTER: Living Room and Kitchen. Reworking the orientation and visuals of the connected kitchen and living room improves the flow and function of both spaces.

The Moody Project

AFTER: Living Room and Kitchen.

The Moody Project

BEFORE: Kitchen. Prior to the renovation, the cramped galley kitchen was poorly laid out, lacking in storage and awkward for use by more than one person.

The Moody Project

AFTER: Kitchen. The newly renovated kitchen features an improved layout with greatly enhanced sight lines, new custom cabinetry painted in bright green, added pantry storage, new stainless appliances and white quartz countertops.

The Moody Project

BEFORE: Kitchen.

The Moody Project

AFTER: Kitchen. The kitchen gets the same durable wood flooring used for the living room for a continuous and coherent look. The small counter peninsula connecting the kitchen and living room is well suited for casual family dining.

The Moody Project

AFTER: Kitchen, Detail. A special feature in the new kitchen is a small study desk and work area for the kids. "Cabinets are a high-touch thing," said Eriin, "so we gave you a color that should disguise little fingerprints."

The Moody Project

BEFORE: Boys' Bedroom. Prior to the renovation, the boys' bedroom was spacious but hardly a visually enticing or interesting space for kids.

The Moody Project

AFTER: Boys' Bedroom. The renovated space features a vibrant and color palette, with medium blue walls, vintage iron beds and an array of patterned bed covers, wall art and wall-mounted chalk boards.

The Moody Project

AFTER: Boys' Bedroom. Erin had bed quilts custom made by the quilters at Wetumpka's Black History Museum.

The Moody Project

AFTER: Boys' Bedroom, Detail.

The Moody Project

AFTER: Boys' Bedroom, Detail.

The Moody Project: Finishing Touches

Erin makes some decorating tweaks in the newly transformed kids' bedroom which comes with enticing visuals as well as functional features like under-bed storage drawers.

The Moody Project: The Reveal

Kasey and Raymond Moody, along with special guest Sheryl Crow, prepare to get a first look at the newly transformed home.

The Moody Project

BEFORE.

The Moody Project

AFTER.

The Moody Project

The Reveal. Ben and Erin show off the thoughtfully designed and decorated kids' room — a key attribute in this particular renovation. "Every child that comes in this house is unique," said Erin, "and I hope that all the kids that come through this house think of it that way."

Y'all Please Come Back!

Keep checking back here for new photos added weekly to this photo gallery throughout the season of Home Town Takeover, and visit Home Town Takeover Central for more photo galleries, news and exclusive video — including two exclusive digital companion series: The Road to Takeover and Tales of the Takeover.

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Home Town Takeover

Home Town Takeover: The Homes

Related To:

Shop This Look

Wetumpka, Alabama — Help Has Arrived!

Welcome to Wetumpka

A Classic Small-Town Downtown

Home Town Takeover — Project 1: The Moody House

Including Special HGTV Guests ...

... Oh, and One Other Special Guest

Meet the Moodys

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project: Finishing Touches

The Moody Project: The Reveal

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

The Moody Project

Y'all Please Come Back!

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