In Monday’s episode of HGTV’s “Home Town,” Erin and Ben Napier help Suzie, the cousin of Erin’s late friend Mandy Buchanan, decide what to do with the parents’ home that she just inherited. In an exclusive sneak peek, Suzie, her husband Scott, and their son Seth must decide if they would rather stay put or spend their renovation budget on the home that belonged to her parents, which is located just next door.
”I love seeing all Mandy’s work up here,”
Erin says looking at all of the paintings by Buchanan filling Suzie’s room. Of course, the decorator incorporated the work of her late friend.
”I mean my whole life, I’ve loved Mandy’s work. Mandy was a good friend of mine,” said Erin.
“She was a real artist. I’ve included her paintings in so many of the houses that we’ve done.”
Suzie also tells us that Mandy Buchanan, who is also a Laurel resident, was not only her cousin, but her “lifelong best friend.” Suzie explains that her mother, Nan, passed away in January 2023, and Mandy died from cancer just two months prior in November of 2022.
“In less than three months, I’ve lost two of the most important people in my life,”
Suzie says somberly but adds that part of what has helped her to cope with it all has been coming and getting to work alongside Erin and Ben Napier.
“The fact that we get to be a part of something as special as this has helped,” she says of the project, which comes at a time when her grief is still so raw.
Shortly after Buchanan’s death was announced, Erin took to Instagram to pay tribute to her friend. Alongside a video of the artist’s appearance on Home Town, the Laurel Mercantile co-owner shared a heartfelt message.
“My friend @mandybuchanan. But before she was my friend, she was a famous painter in my teenage mind: an equal with Van Gogh or Monet,” Erin began the caption.
“I would see her work hanging in the most well-appointed homes and hear her name, not knowing she was a local girl who lived just down the road from me. Thank you for making beauty, Mandy. Making it matter. Making it stay. I love you,” the message continued.
Erin went on to explain that she finally had the opportunity to meet Buchanan after graduating from art school.
“She was effervescent, bubbling and glowing. Her joyful, energetic art reflected her plucky spirit in every piece,” Erin said.
“The world lost her to cancer yesterday, and although we sensed this grim moment approaching for a few days, the void left by her light and love in our city, through her volunteering and making people feel special, is profound.”
“We couldn’t have prepared for this level of sadness. Laurel will forever feel her absence. She was an icon, and her presence will be sorely missed,” Erin concluded.
“Please keep her husband, sons, mother, and friends—who were like family—in your prayers.”