For years, this little room at the back of our 1949 Craftsman ranch in Portland, OR, has been my creative command center. It's where I spent countless hours building campaigns, chasing ideas, growing my Marketing career, and probably consuming enough caffeine to power a small city.
For the last two years as Shelfology's GTM Director, it's been my place of focus and flow. But this year, it's taking on a whole new kind of growth.
My office—the place that once fueled professional inspiration—is now becoming something entirely new: a nursery.
There's something poetic (and mildly terrifying) about transforming a space that once nurtured ideas into one that will now nurture a tiny human. It's the same story told in a different medium—design, color, display instead of spreadsheets, brainstorms, and launch calendars.
Setting The Vision: A Space To Grow, Play, And Dream
When I started dreaming about this nursery, I knew I didn't want to go the "theme" route—no jungle animals or cartoon decals that would feel dated by preschool. But I also didn't want a sad beige space that felt grown-up and more like a magazine spread than a kid's room.
I wanted cozy. I wanted color. I wanted a personality-filled environment that would grow with her. A space that could evolve from naps and diaper changes to forts, story time, and big-kid dreams.
Like every modern designer/DIYer (and mom-to-be in nesting overdrive), I started with Pinterest and social media. My boards quickly filled with retro patterns, playful palettes, and Scandinavian-inspired simplicity. I even used ChatGPT (yep, the irony isn't lost on me) to visualize my space and test out ideas before picking up a paintbrush or adding yet another item to my "maybe cart."
Building The Foundation: Color, Texture, And Warmth
Because our home already leaned into earthy, Pacific Northwest tones, I wanted this room to keep that natural, grounded feel, but with a lighter, more playful twist. Across the house, you'll find moody greens like Sherwin-Williams Retreat (SW 6207), so for the nursery, I went with Forever Green (SW 9653)—a soft, sagey pastel that changes personality with the light.
Some days it reads blue-green, other times it flirts with mint. Either way, it's calm, inviting, and full of life (basically the opposite of my third-trimester energy 🤪).
To honor the home's original 1949 charm, we added beadboard to the lower walls for texture and architectural character, then brightened the upper walls with Sherwin-Williams White Flour to keep things feeling fresh and airy (and to match and flow with the rest of home).
The Fun Part: Displaying Personality Through Color
Here's where things got fun. When it came to maximizing wall space and curating functional display, Shelfology really came to play (literally). I mixed four Bart White Oak Wall Shelves—each in a different powder-coated bracket finish: Aqua Socks, Minty Breath, Oranjelo, and Steely Blue.
Together, they're like a joyful symphony of color—balanced by warm white-oak tones, yet delightfully unpredictable with sherbert-hued steel.
Next to those, I installed two Mini Wave Picture Ledges in Orange Crush—perfect for stacking storybooks, displaying art, and keeping things within reach for bedtime reads. They're the kind of pieces that make it easy to change up the space as she grows.
To round it all out, I layered Shelfology Geo Bookends in White Matte, Really Red, and Nurple. They sit proudly on the Bart shelves, adding pops of geometry and giving our growing library a home that looks as good as it reads. The shelves became a wall of stories waiting to be told—hers, ours, and a few about hungry caterpillars and grumpy unicorns.
The Finishing Touches: Layering Warmth, Pattern, And Play
Around the room, I brought in accents that layer texture and coziness: cheerful yellow gingham curtains that catch the afternoon sun, a neutral checkered plush rug perfect for tummy time, and natural wood furniture that keeps the space grounded.
Art prints bring in whimsy—abstract shapes, nature scenes, and little reminders that adventure begins right here. I even tucked in a few keepsakes from my own childhood (anyone else obsessed with Winnie the Pooh as a kid?) that my mom lovingly saved in hopes of a grandbaby.
I'll admit—like any DIYer, I second-guessed paint samples and color combos (be sure to order swatches so you can compare in-person in different lighting), misplaced my tape measure more times than I'd like to admit, and changed my mind on layout (at least three times). But that's the beauty of the creative process—it's a part messy, part magic, and endlessly rewarding when it finally comes together.
Designing For Growth: A Space That Evolves As She Does
What I love most about this room is that it's built to evolve. As our baby girl grows, so will the space. I already have plans to add lower hooks and Mosey Magnet Boards to foster independence—think dress-up corners, art displays, and mini creative zones. The idea is to give her freedom to play, explore, and express herself, surrounded by color and creativity.
It's funny—designing this nursery reminded me a lot of parenthood itself. I can plan, prep, and pin ideas all day long, but the real beauty will be in watching it grow and change over time…through her.
Just like her, this space will tell a story—one of imagination, love, and life in full color.
Your Turn: Bringing Your Own Story To Life
Whether you're designing for your own home or for a client, display is all about telling a story through design. With Shelfology, it's easy to craft spaces that evolve, inspire, and celebrate personality. From our hands-on design support to our custom, color-forward products, we're here to help you create displays that grow with you.
I hope my office-to-nursery redesign shows just how powerful transformations can be—with the right partner on your team and on your walls.
About The Author
Anna Lynne Garcia is the Go-To-Market Director at Shelfology, a creative strategist, storyteller, and proud soon-to-be mom. She believes every wall holds a story waiting to be displayed—and that good design should always have a little personality, play, and purpose.
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The Stories Our Shelves Tell: Honoring the Year Through Display (ft. Shelfologists)