YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOME

241 E. 9th Avenue – Spokane

Before Joan Butler moved into her South Hill home, a family of 10 had lived there for 25 years.

With so many people to worry about, they hadn’t had much time to care for the partially wooded 5-1/2 lots the home sits on.

In the 23 years that she’s owned it, Joan has labored tirelessly in the yard, making it one of the home’s proudest features.

“I didn’t think I loved gardening, but I’ve evolved into it,” she said. “I get a lot of pleasure out of it because people love to come here.”

The four-level 1903 home sits on a street of only six houses and features two wrap-around verandas. Its big bay windows make it easy to see the garden and enjoy the view from its position far up off the street.

Since Joan’s kids are grown and gone, she has put several of the original six bedrooms to other uses, including a TV room and a study.

Because her remodeling projects started a trend in her neighborhood, several years ago Joan received the Eastern Washington Historical Society’s award for the best home restoration of the year.

“I’ve always loved the old-mansion-on-the-South-Hill kind of a thing,” she said. “There’s a warmth, and a uniqueness, both in its setting and the architectural style.”