From the moment we found out we were expecting, I pictured the nursery with pear-green walls and a light aqua ceiling instead of plain white. Saying “green walls with a blue ceiling” can sound a little bold—my husband didn’t immediately share my enthusiasm—so I pulled out paint swatches to show him exactly what I meant. Pro tip: many people respond better to visuals than descriptions, so showing a photo or swatch can make a big difference when you’re convincing someone about a design choice.
Once I showed John a soft celery-pear shade for the walls and a subtle, dreamy aqua for the ceiling, he loved the idea. The white crown molding between the two colors would help define each surface and keep the look fresh. Then we cleared the room, pulled on painting clothes, and prepared for the transformation. (Yes, I was very pregnant during this project—four months to go and still painting!)
Before committing to a ceiling color, we taped several paint chips directly to the ceiling to observe how each shade looked under the room’s light. Ceiling colors can appear different than wall colors because light reflects differently off a horizontal surface. After comparing options, we eliminated the chip that read too bright, discarded the one that was too pale, and settled on a gentle aqua that felt just right. The process of testing swatches in place helped us narrow down the final shade.
Choosing the wall color was straightforward. I’ve always loved Celery Sticks by Glidden for its warm, golden undertones and cheerful personality without overwhelming a small space. It felt perfect for a nursery, so I was excited to use a similar tone to create a lively but calming room for our baby.
Because I’m pregnant and we wanted the safest option for our child, we decided to try Mythic paint for both the ceiling and walls. Mythic is known for no-VOC formulas and strong coverage, although it’s pricier than conventional paint. We visited our local EcoLogic store with our swatches in hand to compare options. Mythic also offers color matching using a database of other brands’ formulas. While our exact swatches weren’t in the system, the staff helped us find two Mythic shades that matched closely: Adanna Aire for the ceiling in a flat finish, and Autumn Bloom for the walls in an easy-care eggshell finish.
We also tested Frog Tape for the crown molding. Frog Tape claims a unique adhesive formula that creates a micro-barrier to prevent paint bleeding, and we were curious to see whether it lived up to the hype. Taping the crown molding didn’t take long, and it sped up the ceiling edging compared to carefully brushing the line by hand. After applying two coats of the aqua to the ceiling and closet interior, we removed the tape while the paint was still slightly wet to avoid peeling. The result was a crisp, clean edge with no bleeding—noticeably sharper than the blue painter’s tape we’ve used in the past. The line was so flawless it looked like the ceiling had been painted before the molding was installed.
Our nursery closet was a small, sad space when we started. The room had once been a dining room, so having a closet to convert into storage was a bonus, but it definitely needed work. We removed the door before painting since the door swing would interfere with access; instead we plan to install a curtain to keep the opening unobstructed. John suggested carrying the ceiling aqua into the inside of the closet to add a playful surprise, and it really brightened the small space. We’ll add shelving, baskets, a closet rod, and a curtain in a later update.
With the ceiling complete, John taped off the bottom edge of the crown molding and masked windows, doors, and baseboards before we painted the walls in the warm pear-green. The combination of soft blue above and pear-green around the room feels sweet and playful without being overwhelming. Nighttime photos can read a bit harsher, but in natural daylight the colors are softer and more serene. Once we add furniture, artwork, patterned curtains, a rug, and a light fixture, the nursery will have the cozy, layered look we’re aiming for.
These colors also play nicely with our home’s existing palette. The blue ceiling relates to the muted gray-blue tones elsewhere in the house, while the green complements bright accents in other rooms. We like to think of the overall feel as “sea glass inspired”—soft creams, sandy neutrals, gentle blues, and a range of greens that together create a calm, collected atmosphere.
We also captured a snapshot of our living room’s console table piled high with everything that used to be in the nursery while we cleared the space. It was chaotic, but everything found a new home once painting was finished.
We’d love to hear your nursery color preferences. Have you painted nurseries before, or are you just dreaming about it? Do you gravitate toward pale pinks, gender-neutral grays and blues, energetic rainbows, or soft sea-glass tones? Share the colors that inspire you.