Since I lean toward the traditional style of decorating. And, it looks as if you do too. I would enjoy it in the natural brick. At least for now or until I get tired of it. Then I might get a roller after it. Guess you could even give it a distressed/aged look if you did decided to paint it at some point by sanding or scraping some of the paint back off in places.

No doubt but what the paint would change the whole direction of the looks of the room. So it's actually up to individual taste.

Well, the people on the decorating shows would probably paint it, but I like it as it is.

I like it as is. IMO, painting brick is wrong because it can be a huge chore for someone else down the road.

If you want to update it, you could tile it. There are some beautiful choice out there.

It would depend on how old it was. I wouldn't paint a fireplace that had been built in 1930's or earlier, but if it were built in the 60's or 70's I'd have no problem painting it. I do think the white would make it look wonderful.

JMO though.

Guess if I was going to paint it-I'd do it in a creamy beige instead of white. My first choice would be to build a facade & place it on top of the brick..adding moldings & tilework of some kind. That way, if you ever tire of it-simply remove the facade.

Personally I like the look of the brick as it is, but as bigack said the decorators on the tv shows would paint it. That's not much help is it.

Linda

Your fireplace is lovely just as it is. In my opinion it looks just perfect with your style of floor and furniture.
Lois

Myself I like brick that is left alone to be brick..lol. As said above, the decorators today would likely all say to paint it.
What you might try is some large sheets of white paper or posterboard on the left and right sides, and drape a towel or sheet across the top temporarily. Then you could stand back and get a visual of what the white would do for you. Take a picture of it with the temporary whites and then you could compare the two. (And so could we if you posted it).
Suzan J

I like it the way it is. And I love those wood floors. If it was mine, I'd take down the mirror though. It seems too fancy for the warm feeling the rest of the room has.

Is that cat on the chair real?

I would leave it. It's beautiful the way it is. Painting it will leave you with one big headache down the road.

Once you paint brick it is painted forever. If you or, the next owners, want to remove the paint it is a HUGE job and...the brick will never be the same. I have always loved red brick. It's a natural eliment that has been crafted, often times by hand. The only issue I would have with your fireplace is the dark morter between the bricks. If it were mine, I would have to replace or cover the black/dark morter with a nature/lighter morter. I would also change the mantel. Second choice would be the idea of a facade to cover the brick. A facade would be a great solution.

sooey

I personally like the red brick fireplace and it looks like it's in good condition. A friend plastered over her brick, then sponge painted it a terra cotta color and it's beautiful.

If you plan to sell your house someday I wouldn't paint it.

If you paint the fireplace white, it will vanish as the focal point. I would replace the Mirror with a Colorful Large piece of Art as the focal point.

But, then if you've seen my house...LOL!...you problem don't want to take decorator tips from me. LOL!

Gayle

Didn't read the other responses, but I would not paint it if the furniture that is there is going to stay. If you plan more modern furnishings, then paint it because it will better match then. But, I don't know why he wants to paint it white. The walls are not white.

Reading through now and agree with Patti43. The baroque mirror throws everything off.

What time of day did you take this photo?
Also, what exposure is the window on the left?
I ask only because it seems dark in the room and that's why I think the fireplace has disappeared.

I think the fireplace is great but I like the natural look.

I would focus on some light to bring attention to the fireplace, such as lamps. I would also take a scrub brush to it. That would bright it up. A pretty throw in front of the fireplace would look great! It would bring attention ti it as well as the beautiful wooden floors.

Lori

Here is a link with a LOT of ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplace redos

I'd never paint brick even if the tv "experts" say do it. I think the brick is beautiful and never out of date. Of course the tv "experts" keep telling people to paint their beautiful hardwood (in good condition)cabinet white so their houses sell better. That's a real turn-off to me.

My bff just painted her brick fireplace - over my objections. The room lost a lot of it's charm.

Linda

I like it the way it is. My brother's is painted white and it looks nice too. Just be sure it's what you want because once it's painted it will be next to impossible to change it back!

Just had another thought. You could just paint the mantle if you want to match the other wood trim in the room. Maybe that would brighten it up enough for your DH.
Personally, I'd leave it as is.

I like the idea of a facade. That would give you a different look without permanently changing the natural brick which, as the others have said, will never be the same after painting. I would like the facade the same color as the walls.

Mush's idea is great!
Paint the mantle to match the trim!
This will bring the fireplace into focus.
Something like this should be the focal point of the room.

I agree: DON'T paint it.
People on tv recommend painting brick (and cabinets...I don't like that either) but then, they don't have to live with it do they?

Lori

Here is a picture of my fireplace (already painted when I bought it). I really like it. Had I bought it with the natural red brick, I probably would not have painted the brick, but I'm also glad the previous owner did paint the brick because it does look good. I would not have had the nerve to do it! I did paint the shiny gold doors a gun metal gray/black since I bought this house. That made a much better look to the entire fireplace.

Also, I played with your picture with the "Signature Paint a Room" program that I bought at Lowe's for under $5.00. It is fun and gives you a chance to see what colors look like before you spend any money on paint!

Mine:

Yours:
{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

I have a painted brick fireplace, I hate it, can't wait to cover it up. If it was natural, I would probably leave it. But I plan on doing some sort of a tile.
Bricks don't come white. (naturally)

I would never paint it. Stacy

If you are looking for a lighter look, maybe you could change the mortor. Match it to one of the brown colors in the mantle, but leave the bricks natural.

I like the fireplace as it is, but I really don't like the mirror with it. That is just my taste speaking, and you need to go with what you like.

Judy, can you do the bricks like your second change, but leave the mantle as original?

Don't paint it! Play with the accessories on and above it.Maybe remove some of the clutter on the mantle and replace the mirror with a nice large print in a pretty frame,not too ornate.I like the idea of a facade if you want to change the look entirely but I think it looks great in your room!
I just saw on one of the decorating shows,someone had a white washed fireplace and the decorator used a gel stain to cover the white wash.Kind of an antiquing technique.It looked good and totally changed the look of the fireplace.

Good job killinsnakes. I have to have one of those programs. My paint program just makes everything solid colored. That's transparent enough to see the brick. Cool!

I haven't read all of the replies yet. But I know when we replaced our brass/glass screen, it made all the difference in the world. We really have enjoyed the new look.

I would paint the fireplace and brick hearth white or the wall color. I would also paint the mantle white. Find a mirror or painting that fits the look. That mirror is too delicate for such a sturdy fireplace. It might look better in a hallway or bedroom.

I wouldn't paint it either.Where has anyone ever seen white brick that didn't get that way because of a can of paint?? I rest my case.LOL

Seriously,like other have said i would change out the mirror,and maybe find a very nice good size picture or some kind of art work to replace the mirror.JMO
Kathi

I really think it looks wonderful the way it is now! Also admiring your floor.

No I would never paint brick. Brick is timeless. I know painted brick is "in" once again but painted brick takes me back to the last time (60's/70's) it was "fashionable. Think 60's tract house with popcorn ceiling. Ugh.

It's amazzing what those who dictate "what's IN" can make paople fall for!

It's all marketing! I bet they are already producing what they want us all to replace those painted things with in the future.

It's called marketing! The great American way of passing the $$$ around.

Enjoying - Why don't you cover the fireplace with sheets of white or cream-colored paper and leave it up for awhile, to see how you and your husband like the effect? One thing that's true about brick is that painting it is permanent.

However, there's nothing inherent in brick that says that it should not be painted. We paint and stain wood, woodwork and metal, and dye cloth and other natural materials without thinking twice. Painted brick is very beautiful in some settings - think of our colonial and federal eras and the White House and Mount Vernon, for example. The first home that I bought was a little Cape Cod colonial and it came with a fireplace and adjacent built-in bookshelves all painted white and the whole effect was wonderful.

Killinsnakes has shown you what her white fireplace looks like. It's almost identical to ours. When we bought this house, the fireplace was "natural", all orangey and reddish and brownish bricks and hearth and it looked awful to me. We immediately painted it as we painted the walls - an offwhite - now twenty years later and I've never regretted it. It is still the focal point, but I can do anything I want with the room and nothing clashes with the offwhite brick.

The decision is up to you, though. So I would first try paper or something else as a cover, You've also received some good ideas for how to conceal the brick without painting it. If I painted it I would only use white or a pale neutral to match the walls or woodwork - no real colors!

I wouldn't paint it. I like a fireplace to stand out, and that's what yours does now. It's warm and inviting.

Sheryl

Just MO, I would never purchase a home with painted brick, inside or out.

I agree with those who've said leave it and change out the mirror.

Your DH is right...it would be a more modern look, but unless you are planning to replace all of that furniture with very NYC modern furniture, and remove the vast majority of knick knacks, and replace all wall art, it's not going to do anything for it.

I was thinking along the same lines as Patty43 & others. Replace the mirror...it looks top heavy and not complimentary. Either a plain mirror without the gold stuff or with a large print/painting. I'd leave the brick as is & POSSIBLY consider painting the mortar a lighter color. But not the brick!

My husband wants to paint it white, says it will look more modern.
I think it will make it look updated (maybe) but trendy. I like it as it is, and don't feel it will ever be out of style, like a lot of trendy things will be in years to come.
Remember avocado green appliances, and shag carpeting?...

I like it all 'but' would remove a good bit from the mantel...maybe change out your lovelies every so often so you can enjoy them all at different times of the year.

Sue

I'd paint in a heart beat! I don't like the brick.
But you don't have to do a permanent paint job, have him build a "box" over the top of it and hide it.

You have all given me so many good ideas to think about. I really like the idea of a "fireplace surround".

I used to really like my mirror over the fireplace but now I am not so sure.

Will let you know what I decide.

Thanks again.