Today, my girlfriend, Anita, will be sharing how she overcame her
fear of painting over brick.
She'd anguished for far too long over the decision.
She'd lost precious time and brain cells worrying that she'd make the wrong choice:
too keep the brick as is, or freshen it to her liking.
Her hope is that, by the time you finish reading her story
you will be encouraged to turn your HOUSE into your HOME.
This is a story of hope for those of you that are still on the fence about what to do
about that sore thumb of a brick (or stone) surround in living room.
Anita's Story:
I was scared!!!
I hated the dark, dull looking brick fireplace but should I break the cardinal rule of never painting brick?
Day after day, I would sit and look at it.
I would think, "I know it would look so much better a brighter, white color."
But, I was afraid.
The question of whether or not to paint the fireplace would be posed to any visitor walking through my door.
One Friday morning, I told my husband, "I am going to paint the fireplace today."
He said, "Ok, but I am not helping with that project."
No worries.
I went and bought paint (the good kind - didn't go cheap on it) and started.
I started.
Unfortunately, with the wrong equipment.
I have heard many times to always make sure you use the right tools
and a foam brush is certainly not the correct tool for painting brick.
I went to my nearby Hobby Lobby and found the perfect stenciling brush with stiff bristles
that worked awesome in between the bricks.
(You know, into those killer concrete grooves.)
I also rolled it with those cute little rollers you always see them using on HGTV.
I bought the correct roller type for brick.
(I always wanted to use one of those!)
Needless to say, a couple of hard, sweaty hours later I was done.
I stepped back and took in my beautiful, bright fireplace!
I LOVED IT!!!
The room had brightened up considerably.
Even the little boy down the street whom I lovingly refer to as my 3rd son
walked in and said, "That looks great!"
I knew that boy had good taste.
My husband came in and said he loved it too! It was a win all the way around.
I would do it over again and again.
It was almost 2 years of looking at that dull fireplace before I got up the nerve to just give it a shot.
What could it hurt?
That is the beauty of paint.
If you don't like it, paint it another color.
If you are thinking of doing this make today the day!
I promise, you won't regret it.
Day after day, I would sit and look at it.
I would think, "I know it would look so much better a brighter, white color."
But, I was afraid.
The question of whether or not to paint the fireplace would be posed to any visitor walking through my door.
One Friday morning, I told my husband, "I am going to paint the fireplace today."
He said, "Ok, but I am not helping with that project."
No worries.
I went and bought paint (the good kind - didn't go cheap on it) and started.
I started.
Unfortunately, with the wrong equipment.
I have heard many times to always make sure you use the right tools
and a foam brush is certainly not the correct tool for painting brick.
I went to my nearby Hobby Lobby and found the perfect stenciling brush with stiff bristles
that worked awesome in between the bricks.
(You know, into those killer concrete grooves.)
I also rolled it with those cute little rollers you always see them using on HGTV.
I bought the correct roller type for brick.
(I always wanted to use one of those!)
Needless to say, a couple of hard, sweaty hours later I was done.
I stepped back and took in my beautiful, bright fireplace!
I LOVED IT!!!
The room had brightened up considerably.
Even the little boy down the street whom I lovingly refer to as my 3rd son
walked in and said, "That looks great!"
I knew that boy had good taste.
My husband came in and said he loved it too! It was a win all the way around.
I would do it over again and again.
It was almost 2 years of looking at that dull fireplace before I got up the nerve to just give it a shot.
What could it hurt?
That is the beauty of paint.
If you don't like it, paint it another color.
If you are thinking of doing this make today the day!
I promise, you won't regret it.
Be inspired....GO... paint.
We thank you, Anita, for your testimony.
*wink.


Wow, what a difference that made!! Way to go out of your comfort zone, and give it a try......looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
Incredible! Totally inspired :)
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous, love it all painted white!
ReplyDeleteThat is gorgeous! Love the change! Looks 100 times better!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! Certainly worth the risk!!
ReplyDeleteBrick is just dated. I've seen very few homes that can pull it off. The white paint looks great! It's clean, fresh and highlights your accessories. Great work.
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing! We just took the plunge and had the OUTSIDE of our house painted - and it is brick. I have to admit that I was scared to death. I mean, once it's done, it's done. BUT, that said, I would do again in a heartbeat. I love it! It has totally changed the look of the house - for the better!
ReplyDeleteWhat color did you change the house and do you have pictures?
DeleteThis is such an amazing improvement. Great job!
ReplyDeleteCAS
I wonder what it is with husbands (men)...they don't want to paint wood or brick?
ReplyDeleteI personally am a huge fan of painted brick fireplaces!
-Pat
It looks great! Very nice!!
ReplyDeleteI love the transformation but I know my husband wouldn't go along with it. I would love to know where your friend got her mantle. I hate ours and that's just the style I'm looking for.
ReplyDeleteWe LOVE our fireplace we painted white. It adds instant charm to any room. Love this post!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! It looks 1000% better. Great job! Susan
ReplyDeleteGreat result. I understand how hard you found it to take the plunge, but the end result is so much brighter!
ReplyDeleteThe fireplace looks so much brighter and nuch more modern. I really like the contrast of the black grate against the white walls.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I wouldn't paint those bricks given they still in good shape or look fine. However, if it becomes an eyesore to you, feel free to dip that brush into the paint can and start stroking.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! When I first starting reading the post I honestly thought - 'No she can't be painting brick!' But I think it looks great - a huge improvement to the dull brick there before!
ReplyDeleteI have the exact same fireplace in my house with the exact same mantle (so it's good to see how someone else decorates it for one thing). I painted my fireplace last year and wouldn't turn back. It was a huge transformation for the room!
ReplyDeleteThe choice of color was good and everything looked totally different after painting and decoration. Good job!!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks absolutely amazing! We just painted ours and done posted about it last weekend. Thanks for posting these beautiful photos of your brick fireplaces.
ReplyDeleteWhat finish did she use or would you recommend? Eggshell, semi-gloss.....? Looks amazing! I'm dying to do this... the color is the thing that has me stalling. I know I can repaint later. I just won't want to. :)
ReplyDeleteCertainly makes a difference! Now it matches the pale green wall paint and opens the room up with a mirror!
ReplyDeletegreat job!!! what paint did you use?
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This is such a great idea. This is a great way to keep your brick fireplaces looking new and modern. The nice thing about this project too is that it is cheap and easy. I love brick fireplaces and this will really help me bring a new type of look into my home.
ReplyDeleteJulie Bennet| brick fireplace fort worth texas
I'm getting to take this plunge as well. When we first moved here we thought it was cool the fp brick matched the outside of the house! Now after a year of living with it...not so much. I am also in the process of painting three sets of French doors white. They are the original scuffed up orangey-brown wood and in combination with the red brick it really does suck the light out of the room. A very tedious process but sooo looking forward to the fresh feel it will give the whole house!
ReplyDeleteHeading to the store and buying white paint right now, you totally convinced me to do this.
ReplyDelete