Designer Ashley Whiteside, her husband Brandon, their daughter Nora, and their retired greyhound, River, settled into their Raleigh home in April 2023. Their Craftsman-style house, though relatively new, felt like a blank slate—what Ashley describes as “great bones but completely basic adornments.” With a playful nod to its potential, she jokes that if clad in real Shaker shingles and surrounded by blue hydrangeas, it could fit seamlessly into a quaint New England setting. But for Ashley, what truly matters is the magic she brings to it. 

Designing a Home That Feels Like a Warm Hug 

For Ashley and her family, their home isn’t just a place to live—it’s a haven. 

“We want this to be a house where friends can stay for a while, where family gathers to celebrate life events, where our daughter can host massive sleepovers, and where we can throw dinner parties with made-up themes,” she says. “It’s not about looking cool—it’s about feeling good and filling the house with joy.” 

Before

After

The bedroom, once a sterile, gray box with uninspired faux-wood floors, was ripe for transformation. Ashley’s vision? A space radiating warmth, personality and a golden-hour glow. 

“I’m a real sucker for layering art on art on art, but primary bedrooms get less in my book. I want them to feel intentionally calming—like a soft exhale.” 

Her signature style? Imagine if Wes Anderson and Sweet Tea had a designer baby—one on a budget. A love of unexpected color pairings, layered patterns, heirloom finds and quirky art defines her approach. 

Perched on a hill at the back of the house, the bedroom offers a stunning treetop view of the sunset every evening. That daily golden glow became her inspiration. 

“I realized quickly—I want to recreate that feeling inside.” Thus, the creation of the perfect pink bedroom getaway. 

From Grey Box to Dopamine Decor 

Ashley sees color as energy, and for the bedroom, she craved a palette that felt like a warm embrace. The key? Not just painting the walls but drenching the entire space in color. 

“Changing the walls—or rather, everything—completely rewrote the vibe,” she says. “Now, it feels like a consensual warm hug every time you walk in.” 

Her vision was confirmed after the first sunset in the newly painted space. 

“It felt just like the view from our favorite park in Nashville, where we met and dated in college.” 

Finding the Perfect Shade 

Ashley started with swatches of Good As Gold, Subrosa, Meet Cute and Wink. 

“There was no contest,” she says. “I might have considered Rosé Season, but since it starred in our last house, I wanted something new. Sure enough, when the sun sets, this room glows—like it’s showing off.” All thanks to Subrosa.  

Don’t Skip the Ceiling 

One of the biggest game-changers? Extending the color onto the ceiling. 

“I swear by paint already, but I’d never color-drenched a bedroom this large before,” Ashley shares. “It’s wildly powerful to unify the space, making it feel less choppy, and adding a deep sense of calm. Just don’t forget your ceiling. It changes everything about how restful a space feels.” 

Mixing Old and New for a Personal Touch 

Beyond the paint, the decor tells a deeply personal story. A vintage silk-wool rug from Mexico, thrifted artwork and a chinoiserie bed frame balance modern elements like ikat pillows sourced from a local vintage shop. 

“When I walk into a home, I want to instantly understand who lives there. That’s how I design,” Ashley explains. “It’s like Ariel showing off her collection in The Little Mermaid—I want guests to step into my world and share in my delight.” 

Perhaps the most unexpected showstoppers? Rose gold sequin-covered side tables and a hand-painted bed frame. 

“They’re completely ridiculous, and I love them to a pathetic degree,” she laughs. “Like disco balls, they catch the light and send little glittering reflections across the room. And I painted the bed in Like Buttah while my painter friend tackled the walls.” 

Layering as a Lifelong Process 

Though the transformation is striking, Ashley considers the space a work in progress—and that’s exactly how she likes it. 

“This shoot captures just the beginning of the layers and character I want to add to this house,” she says. “Home is a process. Each phase is a legit victory.” 

A year later, the space has evolved—new rugs, updated art, fresh lighting and additional seating—but the wall color? 

Still the same. 

Because when you find the perfect shade, why change a thing?