This Home’s Sunroom Is Marvelous and a Must-See
Name: Gianna Caputo, husband, baby, and two dogs
Location: Spokane, Washington
Type of home: House
Size: 1509 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, owned
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: Our home was built in the ’50s and has been added onto over the years, so it has a very interesting layout that was totally different than anything we’d seen within our budget. We fell in love with the open concept, one-level living, mid-century style.
When we bought it, we knew we’d have to do a lot of work because of how outdated so much of it was (green Formica countertops, a painted red fireplace, etc.) and me being six months pregnant at the time put a real sense of urgency into getting things done! In less than a year, we put new hardwoods over the linoleum in the living room, totally remodeled our kitchen, painted every wall and ceiling, demo’d and renovated my office space, and closed off a couple walls. Not to mention all of the little things that come up anytime you renovate! It’s been a whirlwind for sure, and we had our miracle baby Owen Francis right in the middle of the madness! Next up is getting the yard landscaped and fixed up and potentially finishing the basement with a second bathroom! We don’t even have a tub!
Our dogs Daisy and Mabel love it here, especially the sunroom, which doubles as a playroom for our now 9-month-old. We love having more or less everything we need on one level and being able to see and hear each other with just a few steps in any direction has been a great change from our last home, which was a craftsman style.
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Organic, modern, bohemian, vintage, Scandinavian
What is your favorite room and why? The sunroom, for obvious reasons! It’s bright and happy, yet also warm and cozy. My plants do great in it, and it’s a favorite spot for humans and dogs alike. It’s where I’m writing this from right now!
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The last thing I bought was a giant rug for the sunroom from Facebook marketplace! Originally I had two long jute runners but the shedding just won’t stop and it’s too messy.
Any advice for creating a home you love? A blank canvas is key when moving in. Don’t start bringing too much stuff in if you don’t have a place in mind for it. That includes purchasing stuff. I love white walls as a blank canvas and then adding color and texture with your belongings, and maybe painting an accent wall or color blocking down the line. Plants, rugs, pillows, and meaningful vintage pieces go a long way in making a home feel cozy and like your own. Pets help a lot, too.
Sometimes it takes time, and rushing it just doesn’t work. However, we had to rush some stuff and it worked out for the most part, because I know what I like and had a clear vision. However being an Aries and an interior designer, there’s not much I like more than change when it comes to my home. Changing things up season to season or even monthly can breathe new life into a spot that starts to feel boring. Honestly, I don’t know how some people just leave things the same for years?!
