Here is our fireplace... Pepsi and pizza boxes included...I just recently painted our family room green and LOVE it, but now I am considering painting my brick... I am torn though...
I think I would like crisp white brick {would I paint the mantel too}?
Or maybe even white washed brick, or painted then sanded brick??
BUT...
I am also one of those people who LOVES brick. So I guess I am trying to figure out if I would regret painting it?? I do like how my fall and Christmas decor looks with the red brick.
Any advice, can you help this indecisive gal???
If you like the look of brick, I would stick with it. If you change your mind after painting, it has to be sandblasted, which would be a huge mess. I personally LOVE brick. If you were to paint it, I would whitewash it, not the full paint. Whitewashed brick is fun with the red shyly peeking out. However, if I liked red brick, I would stick with it. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat about leaving the brick red and just painting the mantle?
ReplyDeleteI would keep the brick and paint the mantle....Love all the decor you have on your fireplace.
ReplyDeleteOh that pin cushion is so cute....and so simple from your tutorial.
I would paint it and white wash it like Kelly suggested! Julie
ReplyDeleteI would paint the mantle like others have suggested and then see what you think. As Kelly said once you paint the brick, there's no going back without a huge mess on your hands :)
ReplyDeleteLove all your decor!
I agree with some of the others, I'd paint the mantle white and then see what you think after that. Maybe, then just whitewash the brick to tone it down a little. I'm always a "chicken" when it comes to stuff like that too. I have a brown brick wall in my den (from an add on) and I've been thinking for years that I'd like to paint it, but I've been a afraid because I don't know what color to go with.
ReplyDeleteMy two cents? Like some others said, paint the mantle~whitish even. (Black shows ALL dust~trust me!!) I love brick too. Its rustic and classic. Thats my opinion :)
ReplyDelete~TinaW
i think we feel the same way about brick....but i love it when it's all old and chippy...so i say maybe white wash it? or paint then sand..?? i LOVE your decor...not sure about the mantle...hmmmm
ReplyDeleteKeep brick paint mantle...The brick and the green wall go so well together!
ReplyDeleteBut whatever you decide I don't think you can mess it up-It's a great setup!
Have a great weekend,
Robin`♥
When in doubt, just paint it! White would look sooooo good. Also I would paint the mantle black! Beware brick sucks up a TON of paint!
ReplyDelete-Jill
I think your brick is a pretty color. I would probably leave it. I love the idea of painting the mantle. And if it's possible, it would be cool to add a skirt on the mantle with some detail to make the mantle a little more substantial. I think that would look great!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Jen
I love the brick also, but LOVE painted brick. It is so charming!! I would also paint the wood as well. I think maybe whitewash the brick. That way some of the brick still shows thru but the whitewash will lighten and brighten and look great with your green!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you do...
Love that beautiful NEST sign!! I am guessing someone really special made it!! ;)
Elise, Elsie, Els
I agree with Elise. I would whitewash the brick and build up the mantle a bit to make it more prominent and paint it white. Your black accents would look great against the white!
ReplyDeletedecisions, decisions. i am no help, because i'm trying to decide if I want to paint my wood fire place.
ReplyDeleteI would tend to go with if you love it, keep it!
Remember Beckie's house? Just something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI know what a hard decision this is. I have 2 fireplaces: one is painted white (and I love it!) and the other is still original red bricks which I have been tempted to paint as well...but like you said, it's nice to have the red in the fall and winter. I think adding a bigger mantle that's painted might be a good compromise that you can live with!
ReplyDeleteOh, you CAN'T paint the brick! You will live to regret it!!
ReplyDeleteOk, so that's a little dramatic...just coming from someone who worked hard to get her brick back to it's original state. I ended up repainting the brick on my inside fireplace (from white back to brick) and I just love it! I say go with the whitewash suggestion if you need a change. And, hey, at least you know how to put it back to brick if you want solid brick color again!
I once helped a friend re-paint a fireplace to look brick. The previous occupants had painted it a off white, which over time had dulled and looked a dirty grayish. We painted the whole thing a reddish brown color. And then with small brushes, spent h-o-u-r-s painting "the lines" a grayish color which looked like mortar. It turned out looking even better than we had hoped.
ReplyDeleteI tell you this so that you'll know there is a 'change back' option that doesn't involve sand blasting. However, it is not a quick and easy project.
p.s. - Pepsi is yet another thing we have in common ;-p
I would paint the brick... I should have done mine YEARS ago... best thing I ever did! I would also paint the mantle but I would go taupe or black. I agree with Jill ;) And yes, it does suck up the paint, mine took four coats. I'll help you if you want!
ReplyDeleteI love painted brick! I painted my parent's years ago! Much better! I just emailed you a link to a fireplace re-do! Hope it helps!
ReplyDelete