Asked on Jan 18, 2015

Fireplace makeover

Cindy Wright
by Cindy Wright
I have just had all my wood floor refinished and now my fireplace looks old an outdated. It is made of brick and I have thought about painting it. Any tips?
  6 answers
  • Susan Zelasek Susan Zelasek on Jan 18, 2015
    I have an idea just paint it out white then rub(depending on color scheme) some neutral earthy colors over top on only the lifted brick. Play with it till it looks good I saw it done in blacks and grey with hint of eggplant it looks amazing!
  • Cindy Wright Cindy Wright on Jan 18, 2015
    Sounds awesome. Wish I had some pics!
  • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Jan 20, 2015
    I think Susan has given good advice. That is exactly what I would do. Use a light hand when you go over the brick with your earthy colors..a little blended goes a long way. Or you can use white paint then distress the brick, it take a while but worth it. I like the look of the distressed brick.
  • Jill Jill on Jan 20, 2015
    Not seeing pictures of your home or the room, makes it a little hard in knowing what might be a good idea. Also, knowing what you can or want to spend on redoing the fireplace. What it comes down to though is what type of style/decor are you wanting to go for? There was another posting on someone asking about what to do with their fireplace. It was the traditional brick, and I suggested that they just give the brick a facelift by touching up the richness of the brick by using a watereddown stain and paint, and a new refinished mantel picked up in a reuse center. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/q-ideas-for-stone-fireplace-6617250 Sometimes all a fireplace needs is a good cleaning on the outside. Simply get a bucket and a good scrub brush and use a little soap water, or a degreasing cleaner and scrub down the front of it. You can also use a sandless grout or morter to resurface the entire fireplace and go for an adobe type look, painting in appropriate colors. Or what about just finding an insert to place into the fireplace to make it more energy efficient and change the look slightly? Many have faceplates that take up a good deal of the front and then painting the rest of the surface. Some have fan systems like the one I have that allow the heat to be circulated throughout the room better using the heat. There is a site that makes precast mantels that come in a variety of different looks. http://www.calmantel.com/precast-mantel.aspx?scid=3212945&cid=1770187&tc=15012014395954726&rl_key=01c3b4ee6b1fe799e3cd2aaeecb38c97&kw=23370094&pub_cr_id=6040450727&dynamic_proxy=1&primary_serv=www.calmantel.com&rl_track_landing_pages=1
    Ideas for stone fireplace
  • Belinda Todd Belinda Todd on Jan 21, 2015
    I dry brush chalk painted mine with a cream color chalk paint and used a dark wax over the top in an antiquing fashion and I love it!
  • Susan Rawlings Susan Rawlings on Jun 22, 2016
    There are paints made specifically for brick. Lightening the brick with neutral tones to work with your decor is a great way to lighten up brick.