Before & After: This “Dated” Nursery Gets Completely Color-Drenched in a Soft Blue
Nurseries are so much more than just rooms. They’re spaces where parents will likely experience a lot of milestones with their new baby, and where that same child will grow. The room should adapt with them as they age, but it should also be a sanctuary for them (and the parent!). Kevin and Geneva Slye — with the help of Geneva’s sister and dad and Kevin’s dad — created a calming oasis for their daughter in their home.
When they moved into their home, the room they deemed the nursery had glossy light purple walls and dark purple trim, plus there was a purple-themed accent wall. While the previous owners’ color choices were “bold,” as Geneva says, it wasn’t exactly what they were hoping for in a nursery.
“Aesthetically, the room felt dated. Likely last updated in the early 2000s or late 1990s, and the color choices contributed to a closed-in and mismatched vibe that clashed with the natural wood floor,” Geneva explains. “There was little to appreciate in terms of cohesion or modern appeal.”
It was important to the couple that the space reflected their hopes for their daughter (who was arriving soon!) and flowed with the rest of their home. They also submitted the transformation as a One Room Challenge project. “We wanted the nursery to be a place of comfort, safety, and love, and that required stripping the room down to the basics and thoughtfully rebuilding it to fit our growing family’s needs,” Geneva shares.
Remember how I mentioned that the existing paint had a glossy finish? Well, that ended up being one of the most surprising design challenges Kevin and Geneva had to figure out. It turns out that, when they tried to paint over it, the paint wouldn’t adhere and would actually fall off in large sheets. So, they chose to thoroughly sand the space and then apply a high-quality primer before color-drenching the room in Behr’s Tahoe Blue (PPU13-09).
Even though the painting process was tricky, Geneva admits it taught them the value of project preparation and also smooth walls. “This single change had the biggest impact, setting the tone for a peaceful, inviting nursery,” she explains.
After the room’s color transformation was complete, it was time to fill the space. Geneva found a lot of pieces from Facebook Marketplace and reimagined them to her liking. For example, the standard crib is wrapped with a burl wood contact paper; the dresser, which is now also a changing table, was sanded and painted in a bright red; and the floral chair was also a secondhand find. (It’ll likely be removed in the future to make room for a play area.)
“We leaned into texture and color to create a space that felt warm, personal, and full of character,” Geneva says. “It all came together more intuitively than expected, and it was really fun to see the nursery take shape piece by piece.”
If you’re starting on a nursery project, Geneva has some advice for you. For starters, don’t rush into a project — take the time to prep and think about the color scheme you’re going with, as it’ll inform the rest of your choices. Secondly, consider secondhand purchases. By saving money on furniture, they had extra cash for the painting project. Lastly, Geneva suggests “designing with growth in mind,” and to enjoy the process rather than being rigid on getting perfect results.
Overall, it cost Geneva and Kevin around $700 to redo their daughter’s nursery, but it has so much of their personality, effort, and intention infused into the space. It’s functional while being beautiful, and the family enjoys spending time in the room.
“Most importantly, the room makes me feel calm and happy,” Geneva explains. “It’s a peaceful place to spend time, whether rocking her to sleep or watching her explore. It reflects our family’s style and values, and it’s become one of the most meaningful spaces in our home.”