Erin Napier, known for her HGTV series Home Town, features blue-and-white vintage ceramics on her mantel in her Laurel, Mississippi home. Her design mixes old and new pieces, varying patterns, heights, and scales for a layered, comforting look. Experts share tips on replicating this timeless style.
Erin Napier has long been admired for her ability to craft warm, storied interiors, both on her HGTV show Home Town and in her family home in Laurel, Mississippi. A recurring element in her designs is blue-and-white ceramics, particularly vintage vases displayed on her mantelpiece. These pieces contribute to the lived-in feel of her spaces, reflecting her passion for antiques and supporting local artisans.
The mantel decor includes a collection of vases sourced from thrift stores, antique centers, and online dealers, creating a vintage aesthetic. Krystyl Baldwin, owner of San Francisco Vintage, notes: 'Hunting for antique examples in vintage shops and estate sales means the history becomes part of the appeal. The charm often comes from the patina, the slight imperfections, and the sense that the piece has lived a life before arriving in your home.' Baldwin also recommends mixing new with old: 'Antique stores and flea markets often have unique forms that you will never see again. Pairing those with accessible modern pieces keeps the collection approachable while still giving it character.'
Variety in scale and height enhances the display. Juliana Mackin, founder and principal designer at Hemenway House Interiors in Massachusetts, explains: 'Blue and white vases add so much character and charm to a room. Coupling a few together of varying heights and shapes, angling them each a bit differently, and placing them at various depths in the space create dimension and visual appeal.' Napier styles her vases with a leafy garland and miniature trees in terracotta pots to bookend the arrangement.
Baldwin adds that blue-and-white ceramics pair well with bold colors like hot pink peonies or simple leafy stems for contrast. Without flowers, a grouping can resemble a porcelain still life, balanced with warm materials such as brass candlesticks. For maximalist spaces, Baldwin suggests clustering five to seven pieces of different shapes; in restrained areas, two or three substantial vases suffice near a mirror or art.
