From a young age, Nancy Munro has been intrigued by the power of design. She saw how it could transform an ordinary space into one with beauty and elegance. Munro owns Weatherly Inn, a business that builds and manages premiere senior living communities in the South Sound. She uses her design skills to create places where grandparents love to live and grandkids can’t wait to visit.
Munro’s professional adventures began as a dental hygienist before choosing to work with her parents and four siblings building senior living communities in the Northwest. One of her first big projects was Olympics West in Tumwater in 1976. Nancy opened her own design business called Lee’s Interiors (her middle name). She also owned and operated Nantucket Antiques in the historic 1918 Hotel Olympian building in downtown Olympia. She had befriended Ruthann Panowicz Goularte, longtime owner of Drees, who became a mentor and dear friend. “She took me to the design center, taught me what to look for, what to buy, and to aim for higher quality.”
Nancy Munro and Larry Bunn, a dentist, raised five children during which time they started their own senior living business. The first Weatherly Inn, located in Tacoma, was built in 1989. She used antiques from her inventory to decorate. She and Larry, along with their now grown children, built the second in Kent in 1999 and a third in Renton in 2023.
Nancy breathes passion into her everyday life, whether it is a new business project, transforming a home, or spending time with family and friends. She collaborates with David Goularte, Ruthann’s husband, who is also an interior designer in his own right. “He never ceases to amaze with his knowledge and professionalism – it has helped me see the layers and richness of design.”
Nancy hesitates to call what she does “work,” as it brings her joy. Stemming from her spiritual grounding, she believes every Nancy Munro: Life by Design with Beauty Every Day finished product should be filled with warmth and delight. “I believe I get to do what God created me to do. I am so grateful for such a blessing.”
For Additional Information
Weatherly Inn
weatherlyinn.com
BY MARY ELLEN PSALTIS