I’m really glad you’re here.
This project has been quietly unfolding behind the scenes, and it feels so good to finally invite you into the story. The Greencrest Project is about much more than wallpaper. It’s about listening, collaborating, and creating something meaningful in a place that already holds so much history and heart.
The First Time I Walked Greencrest
I first visited Greencrest Manor last spring, and it was one of those moments where you instantly feel it, this place matters.
Tucked away in Battle Creek, Michigan, Greencrest doesn’t feel like what you’d expect from the Midwest. It feels layered, romantic, and collected, almost European in spirit. From the moment I stepped onto the grounds, I knew this was a space that deserved a slow, thoughtful approach.
Where Greencrest Is and Why People Are Drawn Here
Greencrest is located in Battle Creek, Michigan, a city known for its rich history and its place between Detroit and Chicago. People travel from near and far to celebrate weddings and host intimate events here, especially during the warmer months from April through October.
It’s the kind of setting where the environment alone elevates the experience.
A Manor with Nearly a Century of Stories
Built in 1935 on land that was once a favorite picnic destination, Greencrest has lived many lives. In the 1960s, it became a Catholic seminary for nearly two decades before eventually transforming into the wedding and event venue it is today.
The estate itself is a 13,000-square-foot French-Normandy style mansion set on 15 acres of thoughtfully maintained grounds. There’s a sense of permanence here, like the walls have seen generations come and go, and that history is something we take seriously.
The Grounds, the Gardens, and the Spaces Within
The property features formal gardens, a ceremony lawn deck, and a Celebration House known as Maison des Fêtes. Inside, the manor offers multiple styled suites for overnight stays, including the soft and pastel-toned VIP Suite, the Burt bridal suite, and the Trumpet suite.
Each space feels distinct. There isn’t a single “formula room,” and that’s what makes this project so exciting. Every area serves a purpose and tells a slightly different story.
Jenn and the Vision Behind Greencrest
Greencrest is owned by Jenn, whose passion for the property is evident in every detail. She took over the manor in 2019, carrying a dream of creating a welcoming bed-and-breakfast experience rooted in beauty, hospitality, and care.
With a background in florals, Jenn has an intuitive understanding of balance, composition, and emotion. When she first stepped into Greencrest, her focus was on restoring and respecting what was already there.
She carefully removed layers of outdated wallpaper, refreshed interiors with paint, preserved the antiques that belonged to the home, and then poured years of energy into the outdoor spaces.
Gardens That Shape the Experience
The gardens at Greencrest are not just decorative. They are personal. Jenn is deeply invested in every flower grown on the property, and many of those blooms are used in the weddings she hosts.
Walking the grounds, it’s impossible not to feel inspired. The florals, the birds, the movement of the seasons, all of it felt like the beginning of something creative waiting to unfold.
Why This Could Only Be a Collaboration
As beautiful as Greencrest already is, there are walls and spaces where thoughtful pattern and design can add warmth and character. Not because anything is lacking, but because there is opportunity.
This project was never about coming in and covering every surface. Greencrest is a living space, a brand, and a business that welcomes guests week after week during wedding season. Any design work had to respect that.
That’s why collaboration was essential.
Our First Visit: Listening Comes First
When we returned with our team in the fall, the goal wasn’t to design immediately. It was to understand.
We walked the manor room by room, talking through how each space is used, how people move through it, and what moments unfold there. We discussed what felt ready for design, what needed to stay untouched, and where restraint mattered most.
This collection is being built on intention, patience, and trust.
A Design Direction Rooted in Timelessness
Jenn spends her days designing luxury events, so she has a deep appreciation for color, pattern, and scale. Our role has been to take what she naturally gravitates toward and translate it into wall décor that feels lasting.
The Greencrest Collection draws inspiration from:
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garden florals and natural movement
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vintage and collected interiors
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English cottage charm
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old-world European influence
This is about blending classic and modern, without chasing trends.
A Process That Unfolds Over Time
This project is happening in phases, and each visit builds on the last.
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First visit: Listening, touring, and creating a foundation
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Second visit: Presenting samples and concepts in person, and refining direction
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Third visit: Installing approved designs and continuing to shape the collection
- Fourth Visit: Final installation and collection launch.
Design decisions like these need to happen in real spaces, with real light, furniture, and texture. They can’t be rushed or handled virtually.
Our goal is to launch the Greencrest Collection ahead of wedding season in May.
Bringing You Along for the Journey
We’re documenting this process honestly, the wins, the pauses, the decisions, and the moments where things don’t immediately land.
Some designs will be instant favorites. Others will need time. A few may not make the cut at all. That’s part of the process, and it’s what makes the final collection stronger.
More than anything, we want to share the care and thought behind every step and eventually make it possible for others to bring a piece of Greencrest into their own homes.
Thank you for being here at the beginning. This story is just getting started.
