Fusion Mineral Paint’s Acadia Pear, is the perfect colour to bring an effortless seasonal refresh into your home. This stunning olive green, kissed with a muted grey undertone, strikes a perfect balance between earthy and elegant. It’s a colour that seamlessly bridges the outdoors and indoors, adding a natural, grounding feel while still feeling modern and sophisticated. Whether you’re updating a tired dresser, adding a pop of colour to a side table, or even revamping your kitchen cabinets, a Summer Refresh with Acadia Pear brings an organic warmth that pairs beautifully with light linens, woven textures, and airy neutrals.

For this project, we brought home a tired antique piece from the thrift store. Here is a before look at our piece:

Below is a list of supplies you will need for a similar project:

• Fusion TSP Alternative
• Microfiber cloth
• Bondo or Heavy Duty Wood Filler
• Shellac
• Electric Sander and Sanding Pads
• Fusion Mineral Paint “Acadia Pear”
• Fusion Mineral Paint “Algonquin”
• Fusion Antique Glaze
• Foam & Chip Brush
• Staalmester 3-inch Flat Brush from the ONE Series
• Top Coat of your Choice

Prep for a Summer Refresh with Acadia Pear

Although the piece looked to be in great shape, it still needed some repairs. We started by removing the hardware before addressing any necessary fixes. A few loose joints required regluing, and while working on the repairs, we took the opportunity to give the entire piece a thorough once-over.

Next, we mixed up some Bondo to fill in the chipped areas where veneer was missing. Since Bondo sets quickly, it’s important to work fast. If you’re using a standard wood filler instead, be sure to let it cure for at least 24 hours before sanding or painting.

Next, we thoroughly cleaned the piece multiple times using Fusion’s TSP Alternative and a microfiber cloth. Being an antique, this piece has likely been exposed to various elements over the years, like pets, sunlight, and oils. When prepping for paint, starting with a fresh, clean surface is key. Taking the time to clean multiple times not only ensures better adhesion for any updates but also helps extend the life of the piece for years to come.

The next step in our process was to sand for adhesion and to level out the bondo. We used a heavier grit sanding pad to grind through our filler and then a finer pad to scuff sand the original surface. Once the sanding was done, we gave it one more thorough cleaning to remove the dust and debris.

The final step in our prep process was taping off areas we wanted to keep paint-free, followed by applying a thin coat of shellac. This helped prevent bleed-through and created a more even surface for painting, especially over the filled areas.

Paint and Finishes

Now comes the most exciting part, where the real transformation begins! Painting is the most satisfying step because it brings the vision to life. Acadia Pear looked stunning against the dark surface, providing a beautiful contrast. With its rich pigmentation, we achieved full coverage in just two coats! We used our Staalmeester 3-inch flat brush to help us get the most coverage in a short amount of time. 

While the paint was drying, we shifted our focus to the top, using an Algonquin paint wash in a 70/30 mix to tone down the red hues of the mahogany wood. A chip brush helped enhance the pickled grain effect, adding depth and character. We applied about three coats of the wash, wiping back the excess on the final layer. The result? A light tan wood finish that beautifully complemented our paint colour.

After your paint wash dries, you are left with a really light top. We wanted to bring some warmth back into the wood, simply by adding a layer of Fusion’s Antiquing Glaze. One light coat with a foam brush just gave us an extra layer of toning that was needed for our final look. When all coats of paint and finish are dry, you can seal with Ultraguard!

A Summer Refresh with Acadia Pear

Our favourite part of this makeover is how Acadia Pear brings a touch of nature indoors. This beautiful shade of green pairs effortlessly with neutral decor, creating a fresh and inviting feel. With so many complementary accents, it was hard to settle on just one design style! One aesthetic that continues to make a comeback is grand millennial and cottage-core, a perfect blend of vintage statement pieces and modern decor. This revival embraces charm, character, and timeless elegance, making it an ideal match for this piece.

Our hardware truly stands out against Acadia Pear. While these brass and crackle-glazed knobs are simple, they beautifully highlight the warm undertones of the piece and seamlessly tie into the vintage aesthetic of the room. Hardware is like the “jewelry” of furniture makeovers. It’s that finishing touch that completes the look, just like pairing elegant diamond earrings with a stunning dress.

The wood accents on this piece truly shine. Since mahogany naturally leans toward red and amber tones, our Algonquin wash helped neutralize those hues while enhancing the wood’s natural character. The result is a beautifully balanced, neutral grain that feels fresh and timeless. It’s easy to see why paint washes have become a go-to technique for refinishing wood without creating a dated look!

This piece of furniture certainly has flaws, but we embrace them as furniture refinishers, inviting them to tell their story about the furniture’s journey. If you’re craving a simple yet impactful way to invite nature’s beauty into your space this season, Acadia Pear is your go-to hue. Stay tuned as we explore creative ways to use this fresh shade and style it effortlessly into your home decor!

Comment below with the project you plan on restoring!