From the beginning—well before we knew we were expecting a baby girl—I pictured the nursery with pear-green walls and a soft aqua ceiling. Saying “green walls with a blue ceiling” can sometimes trigger images of chaotic design, so my husband needed to see the colors before he was convinced. Quick tip: most people respond best to visuals. Instead of vaguely saying “paint the side tables black,” show a picture of a room with black side tables so everyone can share the same vision.
Once I held up a gentle celery-pear swatch for the walls and a dreamy aqua for the ceiling, John was sold. The crown molding painted white between the two colors would make both hues pop. Then it was time to clear the room, get into painting clothes, and start the project (and yes, that belly pictured has four more months to go—pregnancy is quite a feat).
We followed a method we’ve used before: taping ceiling paint chips directly to the ceiling so we could see each swatch under the room’s light. Colors read differently on a horizontal surface because light reflects differently off the ceiling than it does off the walls. After testing several chips, we eliminated the ones that were too bright, too light, or too muddy and landed on the perfect shade—Regency Pale (True Value was the original swatch name).
For the walls, I’ve always loved Celery Sticks by Glidden because of its warm, golden undertones and cheerful personality without darkening a small room. I couldn’t wait to use it for our nursery. Because I’m pregnant and sensitive to fumes, we chose Mythic paint—a no-VOC option that’s safe for parents and babies. Mythic is pricier than big-box options, but it offers excellent coverage, a broad color range, and a truly non-toxic formula, which made it worth the splurge for this room.
We brought both swatches to EcoLogic, one of our favorite local green shops. We expected to match colors from Mythic’s paint deck, and discovered Mythic can match many other brands’ formulas by referencing a large database of color formulas. A few of our exact swatches weren’t in the database, but we found two Mythic colors that matched perfectly: Adanna Aire for the ceiling in a flat finish, and Autumn Bloom for the walls in an easy-care eggshell.
Back home, we remembered that FrogTape had sent us several rolls to test. FrogTape’s patented formula creates a micro-barrier that seals the edge when paint contacts it, which prevents bleed-through. We were eager to see whether the tape lived up to the hype.
We usually cut in with a brush—there’s a particular trim brush I swear by—but taping the crown molding didn’t take long and made the job of painting ceiling edges much faster and cleaner than careful freehand edging.
Quick aside: the nursery’s closet was modest but useful since this room used to be a dining room. We removed the door before painting to make the space easier to work in and to prepare for a future curtain that will replace the swing door, which currently conflicts with the nursery door.
John had the idea to carry the ceiling’s soft aqua into the inside of the closet for a playful pop of color. While he painted, I chatted to the baby and marveled at his decorating instincts. The closet still needs shelves, bars, baskets, and a curtain, so we’ll share another update when that’s complete.
After two coats of aqua on the ceiling and closet, we removed the FrogTape while the paint was still slightly wet to avoid peeling. The results were impressive: a crisp, clean line with no bleeding or stippling, far better than standard blue painter’s tape. The finished edge looked so precise it seemed as if the ceiling had been painted before the molding was installed. FrogTape would have been perfect for other projects we’ve done, like the horizontal stripes in our half bath, and we’re glad we tried it in the nursery.
With the ceiling complete, John taped off the bottom of the crown molding, windows, doors, and baseboards, then rolled on the warm pear-green for the walls. The combination of colors is playful and soothing at once—just what we wanted for a nursery.
These photos were taken at night without color correction, so the tones look a touch harsher than they do in daylight. In natural light, the palette reads even softer and more subtle. Once we add furniture, art, patterned curtains, a rug, and a chandelier, the room will feel layered and complete. We’ve aimed for a “sea glass” palette throughout the house—soft creams, sandy neutrals, serene blues, and various greens—and the nursery ties into that scheme nicely. The blue ceiling connects to the soft gray-blue accents in our bedroom and kitchen, while the green echoes other green elements around the house.
We’re excited to keep sharing progress. Here’s a sneak peek of a few accessories—fabric and a cozy area rug—we plan to layer into the space soon.
Because lots of readers enjoy seeing the house mid-project, we snapped a photo of our living room console piled with items that were in the nursery and closet. It’s chaotic, but everything has since been put away.
What colors do you prefer for nurseries? Whether you’ve painted many or are planning your first, tell us what hues you love—pale pink, muted blues, bright stripes, or something unexpected. We’d love to hear your favorites.