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Before and After: This “Oppressive” Green Bedroom Is Unrecognizable After a Laura Ashley-Inspired Makeover

Cullen Ormond
Cullen OrmondHome Associate Editor
Cullen Ormond is a writer based in New York City. When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up with a book (always open for recommendations, too!) or pushing her rescue pug, Peanut, in a stroller. In her dream apartment, there’ll be a conversation pit and lots of framed, vintage band posters.
published Aug 14, 2024
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Bedroom before being transformed into nursery.
Credit: Katherine DeGroot

When Katie DeGroot moved into her 152-year-old home in Stillwater, Minnesota, she immediately knew the perfect place for her daughter, Priscilla, to call her own. Initially, the room was a bedroom for adults, but Katie saw past the “beautiful, ornate wooden bed” and was enamored with the bay windows and natural light. She could imagine her daughter growing up in the space — so she got to painting. 

“The original wall color was a dark, oppressive, almost metallic green, and I originally brightened up the space with a greige color and recently did a color drench in pale pink (it’s actually called Sherwin-Williams’s “Faint Coral”),” Katie says. “My goal was to take the space from a dark, overbearing bedroom to a sweet, light-filled little girl’s space.”

Credit: Katherine DeGroot

When designing spaces (just like when DeGroot created a gorgeous shared bedroom for her sons), she starts by sourcing inspiration images on Pinterest and Instagram. After cultivating a mood board, she looks for a common thread throughout. 

The sweet inspiration came from vintage illustrations that DeGroot appreciates. “Artists like Tasha Tudor, Hilary Knight, and Little Golden Books were a launching pad,” she explains. “I also love old school Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic textiles and 1980s Laura Ashley home design.”

Credit: Katherine DeGroot

DeGroot had some design help from Priscilla, too. Her daughter informed her and her husband that she wanted a dark armoire in her bedroom, so the couple stained the chifferobe deep brown. (Fun fact: Most furniture in her children’s bedrooms is secondhand.)

Credit: Katherine DeGroot

DeGroot says it’s been such a joy to watch Priscilla — as well as all of her children — flourish in her new bedroom. “Priscilla is my inquisitive, thoughtful, almost 6-year-old who relishes being the ring leader of her siblings,” DeGroot shares. “She is an expert at finding anything that’s lost and keeps us all organized and on our toes.”

Credit: Katherine DeGroot

The care that DeGroot has put into creating beautiful spaces for her children expands to the rest of the home. If you’re interested in seeing more, visit the full home tour on Apartment Therapy.