My mom is the same way, and when she wanted to buy a "summer" quilt and couldn't find anything she liked, I looked to ebay. I know her tastes, so it didn't take long for me to find a gorgeous cross stitched quilt top for sale, from a 1930's kit, Im sure, in great condition. I won it, and when she saw it she said, "That's EXACTLY what I want!" It was done in colors which match her bedroom, no less! I quilted it for her, and it's on her bed right now.
You just need more communication with your daughter, to better understand what she expects. Sit down together with some books or magazines and have fun "shopping" with her. I think it's great you want to make her a quilt she really needs and wants, but just doesn't realize it yet.