Easy Fireplace Makeover-Whitewash the Brick!

Carolyn Kelso-Bell
by Carolyn Kelso-Bell
We have a 1950 California bungalow and I am slowly trying to lighten it up and bring more rustic country style to the house. This was our old wood burning fireplace. It used to have an ugly 1980's brass surround, but when I got the fireplace cleaned for Christmas they took off and discarded it for me. We lived with it for awhile but I really wanted to lighten it up. So I googled "painting brick fireplaces" and got some stuff on Pinterest. (I hadn't joined hometalk yet...LOL). I cleaned the brick first with a mixture of TSP and water and a stiff brush. Let it dry, and then just mixed white latex paint (some stuff leftover from painting our living room) with water -- half and half. I taped off the mantle (wanted to keep the wood the same), the floors and the walls, and went to work. It is a bit messy because it is so wet, but in a couple of hours it was done. TIP: start at the bottom and work upwards so the drips don't drive you crazy!
Our fireplace before...
So here is the after picture! I was very happy. Even my husband, who did not really like the idea of me painting the brick, had agreed to the whitewash idea, and he loves it. I thought I might need more coats, but I didn't. And whitewash is nice because it shows some of the character of the brick (color variations, nooks and crannies). Instead of a flat look, you get a more transparent, thin coating. So easy! Hope this inspires you to change up and refresh your own fireplace!!
...and after!
We don't use it much here in California and we have another fireplace in the family room...so I put twinkle lights over some display logs in the grate...an just enjoy the ambiance!
(I am a twinkle light nut and always looking at ways to add them to any room...anytime of the year!) :)
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  • Nancy Bakker Nancy Bakker on Feb 03, 2019

    This looks exactly like our fireplace and mantle. What did you paint it with? Just white paint, or chalk paint and sealer?

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