Pink and green for spring

Southern Living, Apr 2002 by Staab, Nancy

Easter egg pastels, a painted toy cupboard, and a bevy of bunnies brighten this girl's room.

Stepping into young Britt Creighton's bedroom is like walking into one of those sugared Easter eggs. Candy-colored pink and green coat the room, and bunny rabbits scamper in every corner.

Pastel Palette

The inspiration for Britt's bedroom began with the walls. Her parents, Monika and Scott Creighton, painted them mint green when they built their Edenton, North Carolina, home. At the time, Monika was pregnant and didn't know whether their first child would be a boy or girl, and she thought the color would work either way.

Whimsical Window Treatments

Monika designed the window treatments herself-cutting the pink-andgreen print into a diamond-patterned valance with yellow panels peeking beneath. Green tassels were added for a playful circus-tent effect. Simple Roman shades in a green script print filter out the midday sun. Monika bought the colorful fabrics by the bolt at a Raleigh fabric shop and also used them for the pillow shams, dust ruffle, and neck roll on Britt's bed.

Form and Function

The beauty of Britt's room is that each piece of furniture serves a decorative and functional purpose. For example, the coat rack is a convenient place for Britt to hang her growing collection of purses and book bags. Likewise, the oversize armchair, covered in a pink-and-green plaid, provides the ideal spot for Britt to curl up and read one of her favorite books. And while she thinks her custommade toy cupboard is perfect to play house with her friends, it also conceals loads of clothes and toys. Aside from the main storage space, the cabinet has several secret compartments. For example, the chimney opens up on the side to reveal a treasure trove of stuffed animals, and the rooftop lifts up to store sweaters.

Miniature Touches

A printer's box and hanging shelf display small collectibles and the things Britt received as baby gifts-silver pieces and keepsakes. A beribboned fabric bulletin board holds mementos, while a toy cart houses more of the little girl's menagerie of stuffed animals. For a final touch, Monika playfully paired a doll-size bed and chair alongside Britt's full-size versions.

Pretty pastels and thoughtful details characterize the springlike feel of this bedroom. NANCY STAAB