Morgan sent us an email:"I am having trouble deciding which color to paint our small nursery. Our crib is white and I'd like to keep the window frames and blinds white. I would like a nice green, but don't know much about colors and their effect on moods, etc. (I read your bit about some shades of yellow having a negative effect on baby). Any advice you can give would be great--especially something with low-VOC! I really like the colors in the new Dwell bedding, so maybe something to match that besides the bright lime they show it with."
Good question, Morgan!
We love your idea of pairing a beautiful green with your white crib. We're partial to a nice sage which has the same wow factor as lime, but without all the retina-frying effects. Auro offers paints, primers and stains made with non-toxic, organic ingredients and has a lovely sage shade#321-1185. Apartment Therapy also had a great post with helpful information on low VOC paints.
As far as color's effects on behavior, we did read on the fun Web site Sensational Color, that green, "is soothing, relaxing mentally as well as physically, helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety and offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony." Hmmm...interesting!
Readers, what color choices/paints do you recommend?
I think yellow is only bad if it's super bright and saturated. Personally, I love the yellow we ended up using - it's like a neutral but better. We used Spring Meadow from the Porter Paints line. An interior designer recommended it to me and said it's a great bedroom color. She wasn't kidding.
view meamom's profile
As for greens, I really like the one used on the tv show House. There was a post on AT about it once before...
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/painting-fixing-repairs/good-questions-paint-color-used-in-house-md-038878
view JohnnySlimane's profile
Granny Smith Apple green by Laura Ashley is a gorgeous green. Bright and happy but not "retina frying". I'm sure you could get it matched in a low or no VOC paint.
view tgray99's profile
Hi Morgan, I recently painted my son's room green
http://sol.pupazzo.org/?p=609
but only 2 feet from the ground. I love the concept of painting just the bottom of each wall: bright colors disrupt the child’s sleep though they are important to stimulate imagination and play. This way, when the child lies in his or her bed, he or she sees white and rests. When he or she is awake and sitting on the floor, he or she can get the nice vibes of a lively color.
We yet have to move in the new house, but his room is already so inviting.
view Sol's profile
Hi Morgan,
We painted our 6-week old daughter's nursery a Benjamin Moore paint color called Wales Green. We love the way it came out. The color pairs really well with her Dwell "motif" bedding as well as a bright orange glider in her room. It's a nicely balanced green - refreshing in the day and soothing at night. Best of luck!
view Susie-Q's profile
wow that crib is cute! does anyone know who makes it?
view decorating, cooking and science's profile
That is the new Oeuf Sparrow crib. I love the gray!
view jhill's profile