And just like that we are full swing into fall! The air is crisper, the trees are transforming into beautiful clouds of warm oranges and reds and we are most certainly surrounded by everything pumpkin! But Fall doesn’t have to be all warm and moody shades. There are some beautiful ways to incorporate cooler shades into your Autumn décor using cooler tones like blues, greens and greys. Our shade, Blue Pine is the perfect mix of blue, green and grey and we knew it would be stunning for our fall project makeover.
For this project we took a piece of furniture we already had that just needed a bit of sprucing up. This empire-style desk needed a new paint job but, was in perfect condition otherwise.
Here is a before look at the piece:
Below is a list of supplies you’ll need to complete a similar project.
- Fusion TSP Alternative + Wiping Cloths
- Fusion Mineral Paint Blue Pine
- Electric Sander and Sanding Pads/Paper
- Staalmeester Microfiber Roller
- Staalmeester Fusion Flat 2-inch Synthetic Brush
Prepare Your Surface for Fusion™ Mineral Paint
Prep is relatively simple for a piece that is in good condition. Our prep always starts with a good cleaning and the best way to get rid of any layers of dirt or grime is to use our Fusion TSP Alternative. It’s an eco-friendly and non-toxic degreaser concentrate that works wonders in breaking down any oily residue. We like to mix ours in a spray bottle with 3 parts of water and use it to gently clean our surface.
Using washable microfiber cloths is also a great way to reduce waste from cleaning. Simply toss it in your washing machine after cleaning your piece and reuse it for your next project.
Scuff Sanding a Previous Finish
The next step in our prep process is to scuff sand our piece. Since this desk had a previous paint finish on it, we wanted to ensure that our surface had some tooth to it for adhesion. We took our electric sander and sanding pads with medium grit to sand down any imperfections and dull the previous finish. You don’t always have to sand to bare wood when repainting. As long as you have done the prep work to help your paint stick, you should have minimal issues with adherence. The perfect surface to use Fusion™ Mineral Paint on is a dull matte!
Paint It Beautiful
With our prep work finished, it’s time to move on to the best part of the process, the painting! We sprayed two coats of shellac as a sealant to prevent bleed-through. After we used a damp cloth to wipe away the sanding dust prior to applying our first coat of paint.
We love using the Staalemeester microfiber roller to go along large flat areas, and our Fusion 2-inch synthetic brush to work along the ornate details and harder-to-reach areas. Fusion Mineral Paint’s Blue Pine is on the base of the desk and the coverage of this colour is exceptional! Our second coat was enough to cover any spots peeking through and provide us with this beautiful blue-green hue.
Autumn Vibes with Cool Blue Pine
Blue isn’t the first colour that comes to mind when you think of Autumn, but it sure does make a stunning statement when you pair it with the moody, warm shades of Fall.
Blue Pine has these beautiful green and grey undertones that change the way this colour appears as the sun moves in your home. It can appear brighter in the early morning hour or a deeper, darker tone in the twilight of the evening.
The top of this desk was immaculate. It shined right up with a gentle cleaning and our Fusion TSP Alternative. The wood’s warm honey tones pair wonderfully with Blue Pine and add a cozy level of contrast.
Adding these misty copper knobs was a great way also to pair some warmth with this cool shade. It gives our hardware a pop against its blue background and ties in with the wood top.
No matter what your go-to shades are for the fall season, be sure to consider pairing cooler tones with warm shades for Autumn Vibes with Cool Blue Pine. Add the perfect amount of colour to your home projects this season. We’d love to see more of your blue shades in all your projects this fall!
