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Painting The Nursery Closet Door Bright Green

At two weeks from my due date we’re checking off a few more lingering nursery updates, like painting the closet door a bright happy color, organizing the clutter within…

Nursery DOOR After

… making/hanging some more art, and changing our minds in the curtain arena (you know we love a good final-hour switcheroo).

Nursery Mobile Straight On

The green closet door was heavily influenced by Clara, who kept saying “my baby will like a colored door like mine but not pink” – and since a bold green door was originally in our plan back in January (which we mentioned to Clara, hence her obsession) we decided to stop hemming and hawing and just go for it.

After hanging our apple-green curtains and adding a kelly green sheet to the changing table, we worried a bright door between them would be too much. But the realization that we already had some breezy Ikea curtains from our last house meant we had nothing to lose by tossing those up to see how they looked (they used to hang on the deck sliders, but came down when we got french doors).

Nursery DOOR Before

Although I couldn’t recoup the time I spent making the colorful curtains, they were under $10 a pop, so it seemed silly to stay married to them at the expense of losing something else we had all looked forward to in the room. And I pulled off the faux-changing-pad-cover (just a fabric remnant I tossed on to picture what a green cover might look like) when we decided a bright closet door was too hard to resist.

Nursery Full Room Door Side

We still think the curtains need something (I want to line them in blackout fabric, and maybe trim them on all sides with black or brown ribbon – maybe green? Not sure) but we’re getting closer I think. And of course we still need to get a real changing pad cover, so that’s on the list.

Nursery DOOR After Writing

As for picking a green door color, we relied on our usual method of taping up contender swatches to see which one we liked best in a bunch of different lighting scenarios (early morning, afternoon, late at night with the light on, etc). The winner was Irish Moss by Benjamin Moore. Not too dark, not too light, not too neon, and not too yellow or blue.

Nursery DOOR Swatches

I only needed a quart to get it done (I went with semi-gloss), even though it took three coats to get a nice shiny finish with good coverage. Bold colors like this tend to look horrific for the first coat or two and then magically shape up at the end. Tinted primer probably could have saved me one coat (in exchange for one coat of that) but I didn’t have it on hand, so I just did three coats of paint instead. I applied the first one with a brush…

Nursery DOOR First Coat

… but switched to a brush + small foam roller combo for the second two coats, just to knock things out a little faster. It’s the same method we used on Clara’s door (three coats of paint applied with a roller/brush combo) which has held up well for the last five months with heavy use so that’s nice to know.

Nursery DOOR Roller

As for actually getting the closet ready, that just meant organizing things (lining up shoes, putting a few empty baskets on that top shelf for future use, placing some extra toys in a bin on the floor, and transferring excess clutter to the hall closet). The hall closet is a more spacious double-doored closet, so things that we won’t use for a while like a bumbo and the play table can go in there. We’re sure the nursery closet will evolve into more sophisticated storage as the baby grows (might add some cubbies, a basket system, or a reading area on the floor depending on our needs as we go), but it’s nice to have a clean slate in there now.

Nursery DOOR Clean Closet

We also had two nice wood frames that I wanted to hang on the curtain wall, so I was inspired by this no-longer-for-sale pear poster and just drew the shape in pencil on white foam core and used green & brown finger paint from Clara’s stash. I’m sure as the bun grows we’ll switch it out for a family picture or a subject/animal that he loves – but it’s sweet to have something there for now.

Nursery ART After Straight On

To make the lettered “Love You Forever” message below that, I took inspiration from this print from a no-longer-in-business Etsy shop, and used black construction paper and a pencil. I sketched out the letters roughly, cut them out, and laid them on another white piece of foam core. I tried to keep them all similar in height, but I didn’t get caught up in perfection, thanks to the charming irregularities in the inspiration print.

Nursery ART All Black

When I was done I showed John and he came up with the idea to add some color to the V’s, so I used decorative paper from my craft closet and a glue stick to attach them all to the foam core. We both love how it came out – and you can’t beat the price (free) or the amount of time it took (around fifteen minutes).

Nursery ART Green Vs

Since Clara has a print in her room that says “You Are So Loved” it feels nice to have a similar sentiment hanging in our son’s room. Sniffle.

Nursery Art Corner Pulled Back

Aren’t those wood frames nice with the stained top of the built-ins and the dark hardware on the drawers?

Nursery Built In Straight On

They also tie-in to the frames of the bike art and the changing table on the other side of the room, so there’s more balance going on.

Nursery Changing Table Straight On

Speaking of wooden things, we found this cute rocker at a local thrift store called Consignment Connection for $15. Clara is obsessed (even though it looks fragile it easily holds her weight) and thinks her brother is going to LOVE it. Can’t wait to see if she’s right.

Nursery Rocker Detail

Slowly but surely, this room is coming along – we even think we have a plan for the wall behind the crib after this post o’ brainstorming (thanks to everyone for their thoughts and ideas!). We might wait until the baby’s here to knock that out, but in the meantime everything from the toys on the built-ins to those elephants marching across the crib sheets and our new green closet door is making us more excited than ever to bring home this little man of ours.

Nursery Three Details

Even though we’re not done in here, we worried we’d miss the chance to re-take our family picture before the bun is born (a tradition that we started with Clara), so here’s the one we took when we started on the room back in January…

Us In Room Final

… and here’s one that we snapped yesterday. Could I be more pregnant? I laughed and asked John if he inflated my bump in photoshop (or hid my legs). Turns out I just look like this and my belly really is that far out in front of me. #watermelonsmuggler

Nursery Family Pic

And just because I can’t resist a good waaaay back shot, here’s how the room looked before we moved in last summer.

Nursery Before

Even though we still have a bunch of remaining to-do list items, it’s definitely feeling more like a baby-ready space.

Nursery FULL ROOM Horizontal TEXT

Nursery Full Room Door Side

So our to-do list officially looks like this:

  • get a changing pad cover
  • line the curtains with blackout liner and add some sort of black/brown/green trim detail?
  • tweak the wall behind the crib with wallpaper, a stencil, slatted wood, or some sort of accent color (we have a plan… we think…)
  • make a woodsy little cuckoo clock (since I made one for Clara, I’d like to make a charming little rustic one for the bun as well)
  • add an overhead light on a dimmer since nothing’s there at all right now (wish we could check this off but we can’t agree on a light we both like)
  • possibly add a softly colored ceiling someday? maybe sky blue to add another color to the mostly green/yellow/neutral/white palette?
  • add sconces to wall between the built-ins in a few years (we’ve decided these will be more functional after the crib is swapped out for a twin bed, to be used as reading lights)

Is anyone else making art? Having a curtain change of heart? Or painting something a bold, saturated color? We never could have guessed we’d have a bold foyer door along with two in our kids rooms, but they’re proving to be somewhat addictive.

Psst- To read about all of the nursery updates from the beginning, here’s how we painted all the pink trim, laid new hardwood floors, got a rug, painted the walls and ceiling, added built-ins to each corner of the crib wall, tackled some baby bedding, hung some extra thick crown molding, filled up the built-ins, made some curtains, added a cabinet for open storage and diaper changes, and made a mobile for over the crib.

Psst- Wanna know where we got something in our house? Just click on this button: 

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Comments

  1. Reenie says

    Love the new curtains and the door. Adorable room. And….you look adorable PG!! Can’t wait to meet the lil guy.

    :)

    Reply

  2. Amy says

    The room looks amazing! The green curtains were very cute and fun, but the green door is cute and fun AND really unifies the room.

    (Incidentally, one of the things I appreciate most about your blog is that you show your journey – the way you allow things to change instead of getting too attached to something that doesn’t work (or work as well as something else), and instead of getting stuck and *staying* stuck. It has helped me be more realistic about my home, more thoughtful about purchase and decorating decisions, and more brave about trying new things. And all of that has actually helped me appreciate my house despite its many flaws, see its potential, and feel like it is a good home (which has been difficult for a lot of reasons). So, thanks for that!)

    Reply

  3. Jessie G. says

    I love all the subtle drops of green. Comes to show that it doesn’t all have to be the SAME. EXACT. SHADE. of green. A little here a lot there, a little more here ties it all in beautify. And the stained frames?!?!? puts it all closer – dresser, built-in, etc…

    good job you THREE and as everyone else here, can’t wait for the little one to join the family! all the best!

    Reply

  5. Dina says

    Both you and the room look adorable! I hope I look half as good in 5 months when I’m at your stage…

    Question on the curtains: since they’re so sheer, how do you plan to add black out fabric without it being seen from the front of the fabric?

    Reply

  6. Melody says

    What blackout liner do you use? I’ve been looking for some, but so many reviews warn about a terrible chemical smell. Do you have a recommendation? Also, LOVE the room!!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Here is my tip: buy it with months to spare and unroll it in a sunroom or garage and let it off-gas. We got ours in January and have been airing it out (we also laundered it once and will do that again afterwards) and it helps a ton! It had no smell by the time we used it in Clara’s room from that method.

      xo
      s

  7. Beth Boman says

    I am so so thrilled with the change-out of curtains, it was the only thing I wasn’t loving in the room. The door looks fantastic! I’m starting to plan a nursery myself and am still struggling to find a fabric or item to jump off from for my daughter. Excited to go browse some awesome fabric stores.

    Reply

  9. Alexis says

    His room looks fantastic! Also, as a possible option to block light from the window, check out the cut-to-fit cordless cellular blinds at Home Depot. I’ve been installing them all over my new house. They look custom, but cost a lot less and the black out version work (I have them in my nursery). They install inside of the window frame. It would block all of the light when needed, but pretty much disappear when lifted up.

    Reply

  11. Beatiz says

    I absolutely love this room. What a great decision to paint the door green and switch out the curtains. Fantastic!! makes me want to have another baby just to decorate his/her room! LOL

    Reply

  12. Jodi says

    This post MIGHT have just pushed me over the edge of a year-and-a-half of humming and haaing about painting our interior doors glossy black! Now I just need to get the old hubby on board. ;) THANKS!

    Reply

    • Lisa in Seattle says

      Jodi, have you seen Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick’s posts about her black interior doors? Here’s one with some good examples, and you can search for “black doors” in her blog to see more. They came out looking really good, and her hubby went for the idea, so there’s hope for you too!

  14. Jane says

    LOVING the green door!! So special. And Sherry, you look FANTASTIC even with that maxed-out belly. Can’t wait to see photos of the little guy – so soon!!

    Reply

  16. Amanda says

    This room has really progressed beautifully. I think my favorite part about it is that this a room that the baby can grow up with. Some kids rooms now are (IMO) overthemed to the point that there’s nothing in the room that will work when they get past the infant stage. Plus, I love green!

    I’m curious to see if the baby and I end up sharing a birthday (April 16!). Either way, us April babies are fun :) I’m so excited for all of you.

    Reply

  17. Diana says

    I think I prefer the other curtains. The room is adorable but I miss the color that the other curtains provided. They were “fun”.

    Reply

  19. Ryan says

    This is by far my favorite room of the house (so far)! i love the green door. and even as a female i could see my house being in a palette like this… so bright and airy.

    Reply

  20. Liz says

    Love the room. The green door is a great idea. Maybe you could have green & brown stripes on the curtains. :-). Wishing you the best on your delivery.

    Reply

  21. Michelle says

    LOVE the closet door color and the lighter curtains! Such a precious space with sooo much thought/love put into it.

    Reply

  22. Lizzy says

    Not related to the nursery (which looks much better) I was looking at your post from when you house-crashed Home-a-rama last year. I noticed that all the houses had “theme names” and I was just curious what your show-house’s theme name is?

    Reply

  23. Dona says

    I saw that you are looking for an overhead light with a dimmer. Until then, try a floor lamp with a red light bulb. I used that for both my kids…. didn’t interfere with their sleeping, but allowed me to nurse, change diapers and do little peek-ins during the night.

    Reply

  24. Lucy says

    I have white curtains in my nursery and added natural wood blinds behind them, with a black-out liner, for a layered effect (like this: http://projectnursery.com/projects/reeds-starry-retreat/). Most importantly, I find they block out light better than lined white curtains, which I have in another bedroom and still let in a lot of light. Might look really nice with your other natural wood tones in the room! Looks great and good luck!!

    Reply

  25. susan says

    The light, breezy curtains look much better and the green door is FAB!! Again, you guys make the best finds with that adorable rocking horse. A really great nursery design, I love it.

    p.s. Sherry, are you wearing the same top in both photos? Look how much lower the neckline is in the current shot! #bigbarnaclebump

    Reply

  26. StephM says

    The room is coming together so well! Between the nursery and the kids bathroom vanity in the show house, you’ve got me wanting some bold greens in my own decor!

    PS: You look absolutely lovely, Sherry, just radiant! :)

    Reply

  27. Chasity says

    IDEA FOR THE CURTAINS: since you have some blue in the mobile and in items that are on the bookshelves (see the second to last photo in your post) I think it would look really good if you tied in a little bit of blue to the curtains. Nothing overpowering, just some subtle blue trim would look nice :)

    Reply

  31. Lisa E says

    This room is looking FAB.U.LOUS! I liked the green curtains before, but I LOVE the green door and neutral curtains. What an adorable find (rocker), too. Accessories always makes a room feel homey. Great job, once again! BTW – I read through the first page comments which was showing over 100 comments, however, when I try to go to the next page, it’s showing 68 comments and all comments are gone. So I went back and it did the same thing again. Weird!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So strange! It sounds like a cache-ing issue. If you clear your browser’s cache/data/cookies it’ll hopefully catch up. Sometimes things are wonky like that.

      xo
      s

  33. Stephan says

    I love that you guys can make midcourse corrections rather than sticking to ideas that just aren’t working. That flexibility and emergent design is what makes great designers great. Changing the curtains really allows for the rest of your great details to be seen. It is so much more restful which I think is great for a nursery. Good job.

    Reply

  34. Kara says

    LOVE! I thought the lime curtains were so fun when you originally posted, but now I am loving the airy-ness and bright feel of the new curtains–such an uplifting atmosphere in that room! I think you made the right move :-)

    Reply

  37. Emiles says

    So I agree the lime curtain no longer “went” but now I miss that big splash of green! What about painting the drawers of the built-ins? I’m thinking an ombre effect using the colors of the Target box. Just a thought! Loving the green and yellow accents in this room :)

    Reply

  40. Ashley says

    Noooooo! Not the curtains! I loved them! I’m about to give my sons room a little makeover and they inspired me to try to make his curtains (along with your 300 other homemade curtain tutorials) :)

    But, as much as I loved them, I have to admit they wouldn’t have looked right with the green door which looks fabulous! Good luck with the homestretch of baking the bun and I’m hoping for a smooth delivery for you guys!! :)

    By the way, I’m a Richmonder so if I fail miserably on the curtains ill be knocking on your door ;)

    Reply

  41. Kathryn says

    Okay, we live in Dublin. It’s a rainy, warm-ish spring. Let’s just say the state of our car’s window and door seals really back up Benjamin Moore’s paint name…

    Reply

  42. Mandy says

    I LOVE this nursery! Also, my younger brother had a horse just like that when he was small, in the early 1980’s! Back then, he named it “Doobie Horse,” which we find quite funny these days.

    Reply

  44. Nicole says

    LOVE LOVE LOVE the green color on the door! such a great pop! have you considered incorporating the baby’s name over the crib… maybe a cool pallet art piece in the same wood stain that you have used in the room, and using the green paint to write his name in a fun font or something… just a suggestion! can’t wait to hear of his safe arrival!

    Reply

  45. Ruth says

    Amazing how removing the curtains changes the whole colour balance of the room. Well done and wishing you every happiness for the bambino.

    Reply

  46. Alison says

    If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again!
    Why not splurge for a change and buy some heavy black out curtains, save you the time and trouble? That horse rocker is adorable, great find. Very nice green door. Don’t work to hard.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We bought the blackout fabric back in Jan (it needs to offgas a while) so since we have it on hand it might be the easiest thing. Will keep you posted!

      xo
      s

  47. Catherine says

    Love the green door! One thought on the curtains, what would the old green ones look like behind the new ones? Just a thought. :) Countdown is on to baby Barnacle!

    Reply

  48. heyruthie says

    I love the changes! I TRIED to love those original curtains (you worked hard on them!) but I just wasn’t smitten. The new (old) ones look great!

    Reply

  49. Rae says

    Really love what you have done in this room..lucky baby! Where is the white (leather?) pouf from? I keep seeing them on blogs but have never seen one in a store!

    Reply

  50. Andrea S. says

    That little narrow wall between the closet and the window is screaming for a stained wooden growth chart to measure you’re little guy on over the years–Easy DIY. You should *totally* do it! :)

    Reply

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