*Options I considered for this project:

One cheap way out is just to go to the building supply place or the local paint store and buy a paint that matches or compliments your carpet, walls, etc. Unfortunately when you're done, you have a fireplace that looks kind of like a painted wall. Replacing the brick is way too expensive. Covering it up with sheetrock is another option but more expensive, difficult and you lose the beauty of the brick.

*Questions and unexpected events that arose during the project:

Can it really be done in a couple of days? Yes, and much of that is drying time between the different paints and glazes.

Will it look better than just slapping on paint? Yes, there are lots of before and after pictures available that have used this process.

* Cost Comments:

The kit comes with everything you need to do a 100 square foot fireplace. The price even includes sh

*My motivation to do this project:

Older brick fireplaces often look as though they are on their last legs. Maybe the bricks are stained with tar and soot but, functionally, the fireplace is as sturdy as the first time a fire was built inside it. The bricks are solid and the draw is good. It's just plain scary looking.

Brick is a high-quality building material and doesn't come cheap. New brick and laying it is expensive. If you hire a contractor to replace those bricks, you are likely throwing several thousand dollars at the problem. If you're thinking of new sheetrock or a new fireplace surround, that can also be expensive and not give you the look you desire. You want a permanent solution and not a job that looks rushed.

*Project Steps:

The only prep work necessary is to brush off your brick to remove any loose mortar or dirt. Remove any decorations and fireplace accessories.

Paint a base coat over all your brick and mortar. Then you follow up using either your small roller or sponge to apply three "undertone" colors and a glaze. There's nothing difficult or tricky about the process. Just follow the steps in order and get great results.

To summarize how easy:

Step 1- Remove all accessories and clean the brick.

Step 2 - After taping off the fireplace, brush on the base coat/sealer over all the brick and mortar like you're painting a wall. It will look something like this:

Steps 3 - 6 - Apply color 1, glaze, colors 2 and 3 allowing the paint to dry between each step. The written instructions and video explain the options in more detail.

Step 7 - Apply the clear matte finish, if desired, after allowing the paint to dry completely.

Advice:

Be sure to tape and cover areas that you don't want paint to get on, just like doing a wall.

The kit comes with all the tools you need so you don't need or want a fancy and expensive paint brush.

As with any paint project, wear your old clothes.

Clean your brushes and rollers as you go while waiting for the previous coat to dry.

If you have an overly large fireplace, you may need to order an extra can of base coat.

If the brick is really in a horribly dirty state, you might want to order the cleaner available for an extra charge.

Materials:

Brick-Anew Fireplace Paint Kit - $0.00

This is my list of alternatives to the dilemma of what to plant to give that same heavenly splash of color in the shade garden.

My top picks are

1) Begonia , green wax leaf, tuberous , angel and dragon wing

2) Torenia

3) Browallia

4) New guinea impatien

5) Diascia

6) Fuschia

7) Balsam

8) Shade coleus

9) Lobelia

10) Euphorbia 'diamond frost'

11) Geraniums

12) Ageratum

13) Caladiums

14) Strobilanthes

15) Fan Flower(Scaevola)

There are a bunch more that will take part shade such as Nicotiana, Salvia, and Sweet Williams.

I will miss the sweet sweet impatien, but while the experts search for a cure, it gives us all the opportunity to step out of our garden box and into the wild new territory of DIFFERENT and awesome plants that will put a smile on our garden faces.#itchingforspring

Next "pot" the celery stalk (Stalk Side Up) or place in your garden. Just dig a small hole, fill it with water and set the end in the hole, then cover it up with an inch or so of soil. Water thoroughly. That is it! Now the "end" will grow into a full stalk of celery! Rinse and Repeat and you never have to buy celery again! Talk about a way to save money! This photo is taken on day 7 and as you can see it is working!

The oak cabinets were ugly and basically non-functional: narrow, hard to get access to the back of the corner cabs, and the doors were hung backward by the original builder! In record time, they were replaced with open shelving.

We removed the cabinets from the wall, then removed the doors from them.

Those doors became the shelves, and the cabinet walls were ripped into strips to create the brackets to hold the shelves on the wall. Painted white, they were ready to go up within a day - AFTER the walls were painted!

A fresh tan paint color on the entire kitchen (walls AND ceiling) unified the spaces that had been split by the overhead beam and 'bay' area on the window side. (Unseen in the photos, a new track light was installed on the backside of the beam to brighten up the area). White paint on the window trim made it seem much larger and more open than the previous wood tone. [BTW, the rest of the plan was to paint the lower cabinets white, unifying the whole kitchen. I never got that far before we had to move.]

The wood shelf brackets were screwed into the studs, the shelves screwed onto the brackets, and the project was done.

Then I filled up those shelves and the counter space below them with functional and beautiful elements - and those shelves held over TWICE the amount of kitchenware than the cabinets ever had!!

Best part? This project cost us nothing but time:

We had the paint (our whole house was painted that color), we had the screws and sand paper and tools, and we used the old cabinet wood for the new shelves. It turned out so well, we ended up doing exactly the same thing in the laundry room, too!

#MyKitchen #Before&After

I've got full detailed instructions on my blog with recommended materials but here's the basics:

Materials: Birdhouse base, small stones (I buy bags of them at the dollar store), funnel for roof, silicone sealant to attach the stones, wood sealer.

Steps:

1. Start with a base. Here I used an unfinished birdhouse but you can also use a wide piece of PVC pipe, a jug, teapot...Anything with a the right shape.

2. If you're using a wooden birdhouse, first treat it with a wood sealant so it will last outdoors for many years.

3. Attach the stones using an outdoor silicone sealant (pick one that dries clear). Work from the bottom up so each row of stones rests on the ones below.

4. Add your roof and you're done!

More ideas: add a wee door; window boxes-create a whole fairy garden scene-; make the roof from moss or tiny cedar pieces or a folded licence plate...

I hope you'll share your ideas in the comments. Have fun!

PS: These birdhouses are intended as decorations only. See my blog for information on safe nesting boxes.