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How to Paint a Brick Fireplace: 1950’s House Update

April 17, 2016 By Rhoda 30 Comments

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Finally, we have more progress at Andrea and David’s house! Yay for that!  They are getting back on track with the renovation process of their 1950’s home that I shared with you a few months ago.  It will probably be months in the making, as we choose rugs, fabrics, and totally paint the inside of their house.  Seeing the progress is exciting and Andrea is thrilled with the results so far.  Here’s the update in the hallway using Revere Pewter.

They have moved into the kitchen now and are painting the cabinets (hired a painter for the family room and kitchen to move things along) and it’s looking really good.

Brick Fireplace Collage

Today, I’m sharing their family room fireplace, a traditional red brick fireplace that was in need of updating.  There’s nothing wrong with painting brick to make it look better and I don’t think there will be regrets over this in years to come.  Painting brick is a gorgeous and classic look!  I partnered with Angie’s List on this project and they are documenting it on their blog as well, so we were able to get new accessories for the project with this collaboration and that was a really good thing!

brick fireplace001

Here’s the fireplace BEFORE, if that isn’t obvious.  We are going to lighten and brighten up this space with paint.  The paneling has also been painted and I’ll be sharing this whole room after we get new furniture and get it all decorated and accessorized.

brick fireplace003

It was time for an update!
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brick fireplace006

I bought supplies to get started and first vacuumed the fireplace brick really well to remove the dust that was on there. If you think your brick might be dirty or greasy, then washing it down with soap and water would be ideal.  We didn’t feel the need for that.

brick fireplace012

Tape off any areas that you don’t want paint to get on.  I taped off around the inside firebox.

brick fireplace007

I bought a good primer that I’ve used before, Zinsser Bulls Eye primer and sealer (water-based) and that was applied first, then the Satin finish Benjamin Moore paint in Revere Pewter. This is the same shade we used in the sunroom and it looks great here on the fireplace too.  The rest of this room will be painted White Dove by Benjamin Moore.  I used Urbane Bronze, a Sherwin Williams color for the mantel and chose a Medium Lustre finish for that.

brick fireplace011

In process, priming the brick.

brick fireplace009

First things first, get the red brick primed.  It doesn’t have to cover every little crevice, but adding this step helps the paint to go on smoother and it only took one coat of paint on the brick to cover.

brick fireplace010

I worked on the priming and used a paintbrush and small roller to cover.  The paintbrush comes in handy to work the primer on the grout lines.

brick fireplace013

Priming completed and ready for paint!

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I let it all dry well overnight and went back then next day to paint it all.  Again, using a small 3/8″ heavy nap roller, I rolled on the  paint as well as used the small paintbrush.

Once everything dried, it was time to accessorize.  We had a budget from Angie’s List for this project and did a little shopping at Homegoods and Kirklands and we shopped for a new fire screen at a local shop, Casual Image.  It was fun to find just the right things to complement the newly painted fireplace.  We are working on decluttering Andrea and David’s home of the smaller accessories and concentrating on larger pieces.  We’ll keep things that are meaningful to them and work them in as well.

fireplace makeover screen001

Tada!  The finished fireplace, all painted and accessorized!  I’m so happy with how this project has turned out and we can’t wait to finish the room now.  You can see the paneling is also painted already and it’s going to make such a difference in their home.  It was so cave-like before, but lightning things up makes it feel SO much better!

fireplace makeover screen002

We found the birch tree print at Kirklands, as well as the lantern.  Home goods was a great place to score the ceramic garden stool, the big basket, and the 2 preserved boxwood topiaries.  I love all of this together!

fireplace makeover screen003

The new and more modern fire screen adds a great touch to the final look as well.

fireplace makeover screen004

They are going to love using this room and getting the rest of it together.

fireplace makeover003

Fresh green topiaries bring out the green in the painting.

fireplace makeover004

I love how clean and classic it all looks now.

fireplace makeover005

The lantern from Kirklands is chunky and adds warmth with the rustic wood and iron.

fireplace makeover014

Adding color above the mantel adds such a nice touch of calm and pretty hues.

fireplace makeover017

Greens and blues are a nice addition to the room and blues will be used throughout the house for continuity.

I’m so excited to share this project with you and show the progress at Andrea and David’s home and I know you have been waiting to see what was next!  It’s so rewarding to see progress on this 1950’s home and we are moving through, one room at a time, so I’ll be sharing all the process with you along the way.  We are almost finished with the sunroom, with chairs recovered, rugs purchased, and all that’s left is a little accessorizing in there and I’ll be sharing it when it’s finished.

I’m still waiting to get my master bathroom started and am chomping at the bit to get that project going.  My contractors are so busy, they can’t even let me know when they can get started, so I will either have to wait on them or find someone else.  I hope to get that going pretty soon!

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Filed Under: Decorating Ideas, Paint Project, Projects and How-To 30 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judy Clark says

    April 17, 2016 at 3:54 pm

    Rhoda,

    The fireplace looks fantastic! What a transformation. I know that David and Andrea are thrilled with the results.

    Reply
  2. Kim R says

    April 17, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    I love the art from Kirkland’s. I have a similar print from there and have been enjoying it for several years now. The fireplace looks wonderful lightened up and the accessories are perfect. I look forward to seeing more of this transformation.

    Reply
  3. Jeanne says

    April 17, 2016 at 7:10 pm

    What a beautiful transformation! Painting the brick and paneling made such a difference in showcasing the beautiful hardwood floors. I know they will love the new look!

    Reply
  4. Kate says

    April 18, 2016 at 7:46 am

    Lovely! What’s going on with the ceiling though? Is that being repaired in some way?

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      April 18, 2016 at 10:31 am

      The ceiling just needs painting and I think that’s on the list of things to do.

  5. Roxanne says

    April 18, 2016 at 8:18 am

    That is an amazing transformation! We love Angie’s List and have been extremely pleased with everyone we’ve hired. By the way, a few years back I grew tired of looking at my sooty, smudged firebox and painted it with high temperature black paint. It comes in a spray can, and I didn’t even clean the firebox first. It has held up beautifully for years, and now the firebox just recedes into the background. The paint has never peeled through wood fires and now our conversion to gas logs.

    Reply
  6. Lisa @ Lisas Creative Designs says

    April 18, 2016 at 9:38 am

    We have a Kirkland’s locally and it is one of my favorite home decor stores. They have awesome stuff! I love the fireplace transformation. The paint makes such a big difference! Love it. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Nanci Lewis says

    April 18, 2016 at 10:02 am

    Looks so fresh and updated! I’m following this house transformation excitedly, as I, too, am slowly making over my 50’s ranch and using similar colors. I whitewashed my gray stone fireplace and love it. Love blues and greens together!

    Reply
  8. Buffie Baril says

    April 18, 2016 at 11:01 am

    Have you tried Joanna Gaines (Fixer Upper) new paint line? Maybe they would send you some for your projects.
    https://shop.magnoliamarket.com/pages/paints

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      April 18, 2016 at 1:07 pm

      HI, Buffie, I just heard about her new paint line so I’ll have to look into it.

  9. Arris huff says

    April 18, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    Rhonda, I love the fireplace! I need your help. Can you tell me how you had your laundry room ceiling done? Thanks f

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      April 18, 2016 at 8:55 pm

      Hi, Arris, I hired a painter to come in with his professional paint sprayer and he sprayed my black ceiling in the laundry room. I didn’t want to tackle that one. It probably took a couple gallons of black paint.

    • Arris huff says

      April 19, 2016 at 9:01 pm

      Thanks, I want to do the basement at my cabin in Dahlonega.
      Farris

  10. LynneNC says

    April 18, 2016 at 7:05 pm

    Hi Rhoda, thanks for sharing this. We just recently talked with our painter about painting our fireplace. I love the colors shown, but want to be certain that I am seeing correctly. You said ‘ReverePewter’ for the brick. Is that white, or pewter? I am wanting white and would like to know b/4 we purchase materials. Thanks, and as always, love your posts. ☺

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      April 18, 2016 at 8:54 pm

      HI, Lynne, Revere Pewter is a soft beige/gray color by Benjamin Moore. It’s definitely not white. We are painting the rest of the room white, so I wanted the fireplace to have some color, but not too dark.

  11. Ellen Garrard says

    April 18, 2016 at 10:30 pm

    This looks great, and now I’m inspired to paint my fireplace! Thanks for sharing.

    Can you tell me if the color above the mantle is a shade or two darker from the brick color below the mantle? I don’t see a visible line in the side view, so I’m guessing it may just be the lighting.

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      April 18, 2016 at 11:30 pm

      Hi, Ellen, it’s the same above and below, so it’s the lighting.

  12. Kelly says

    April 19, 2016 at 7:29 am

    What was the source for your fireplace screen?

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      April 19, 2016 at 8:33 am

      Casual Image in Marietta, GA.
      http://www.casualimage.com

    • Debby Flood says

      April 23, 2016 at 9:26 am

      I have the same screen. I bought it a few years ago at Plow & Hearth – plowhearth.com. I just checked to see if they still have it and they do but it is now $800. Pretty sure we paid like half of that.

    • Rhoda says

      April 23, 2016 at 11:37 pm

      This fire screen was a little over $400 at a local store.

  13. Lindy says

    April 19, 2016 at 11:41 am

    Wow, the fireplace looks beautiful! I love this series working on you friends’ home.

    Reply
  14. LORRIE GARCIA says

    April 23, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    Doesn’t this have to be a heat resistant paint if using the fireplace?

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      April 23, 2016 at 11:36 pm

      Lorrie, this is a gas log fireplace, so no it should be fine to paint the exterior brick.

  15. Tessa Mellnitz says

    December 30, 2019 at 6:54 pm

    What color was used for the mantle?

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      December 30, 2019 at 7:15 pm

      Hi, Tessa, it’s Revere Pewter by Ben Moore.

  16. Cori says

    March 27, 2020 at 5:56 am

    What is the gray color of the wooden mantle? I saw someone else ask the question and you said revere pewter but that was the brick color. I reread your blog a couple times and couldn’t find what you used on the mantle. Thank you! We used revere pewter on all our walls in our house. We love it but ours looks darker than your fireplace turned out.

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      March 27, 2020 at 8:49 am

      Hi, Cori, the color of the mantel is listed in the post, Urbane Bronze.

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Thanks for stopping by! I’m Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn’t have to cost a fortune and I’ve spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I’m here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won’t you join me?

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