It's too hard to say without knowing if you want to paint the walls, what colors you're using, etc. I don't hate the brick.

That's not my favorie brick either, but depending on what color you do the walls it might make the brick look downright good.
Look at the bricks themselves and see if you can find a brickred or rust color you like. Earth tones were meant to be used in this room, and the right rusts or brick reds will enliven the woodwork and work well with the bricks. Greens in the olive family are usually good too. Adobe clay colors would be fine if you need a lighter color.
A lot of people stay away from darker wall colors because they think they make the room look small and claustrophobic, not so. Sometimes they can make a small room feel so much nicer to be in.

I was planning on keeping the wall color as it is. My couch and loveseat is a sort of olive or dark green/brown color, so it would be hard for me to get out of the neutral tones for the walls. If I was to paint the bricks, it's forever so I really need to be sure. If I was to do it, I guess I'd go with maybe a darker shade of what the walls are. Ugh....so hard to decide.

Thanks for any feedback!

Painting brick should be made illegal.

Ditto to Painting brick should be made illegal. I would, however, try cleaning it. Is it soot covered in spots? Looks like it in the picture. A good cleaning might be a huge help.

I am sorry. I disagree with the last two posts. I painted the very dark red brick in my very dark living room and it brightened the room and made is look larger and warmer. However, I do agree that if you are keeping the walls the neutral color, then the brick should stay as is.

Historically, there were times when people felt that painting bricks was the right and proper thing to do. People in some times and places felt they should hide their oh so plebian bricks.
Personally, living in this time and place I tend to think painting bricks in general is wasteful, but then again, I've seen cases where the bricks looked nicer painted, and they weren't even crappy bricks.
What I could never understand were painted bricks with painted mortar lines.

" I painted the very dark red brick in my very dark living room and it brightened the room and made is look larger and warmer. "

Hope you never want it back to brick.
It is pretty much impossible to get the paint off of brick inside a house (and can damage the brick outside).

It is possible to de-paint brick...even inside the house. However, it is the worst home restoration project I've ever undertaken. I had 3 colors to get off and we did it and were very happy with the results. But it was alot of work.

We're in another house now, with a faux painted brick fireplace....and we're planning for this winter's journey again with PeelAway1. This time we're stuck with bumpy brick but ANYTHING is better than paint to us!

If I were to think about painting brick, I'd need to remember that it's the future owners of the house who will have the oh so kind words for the painter.

Love the mantel! I would leave the brick as-is -- I think it's nice, and depending on paint color, it could look fantastic. In our old house (coincidentally, also built in 1923) a few sets of previous owners had painted the brick. We really wanted the brick look back; after considering and then discarding the idea of attempting to strip numerous layers of paint, we ended up hiring a faux painter to recreate the look of old brick.

Just saying it's a lot of time, and possibly expense, if you change your mind.

Scroll down to the bottom of the link to see the 'after' version of my fireplace. I wrote the new owners a note telling them not to attempt to clean the brick -- we would have loved to have seen their faces when the 'soot' got sanded off, only to reveal layer upon layer of off-white latex paint... ;^)

Here is a link that might be useful: Faux-painted fireplace

I would paint ugly-as-sin 1960's-70's brick in a New York minute and never, ever regret it. With that said, I don't think your brick is bad at all, it has pretty slate-ish colors in it and like others have said, I think you can decorate in the correct colors and it would look great. If you do decide to paint it, though, good luck to you. My mom just did to her ugly, outdated brick and she is very happy with the results.

"It is possible to de-paint brick...even inside the house."

I would bet money I can find every color of paint ever used on the painted brick unless you sandblasted the surface off the brick or cut it off with a power washer.
The mortar soaks it up like a sponge, and unless you have glass smoooth brick it is on the small cracks and crevaces.

I have had customers pay me $$ to try and remove paint despite the warnings. You can scrub, bruch, and then try to pick it out but some always remains behind.

Sandblasting and pressure washing can remove a layer of mortar and brick toget to a clean surface, but the look left hbehind is not very pleasing. Neither method works well in a finished space. The water can be contained somewhat, and the same for the blasting grit, but it still leaks and gets all over.

Renovation or repair is different but decorating is something that should not to decided until you have a feel for the new house. Give it at least a year and then decide what you want to do with the fireplace. BTW, I love the fireplace mantel!

Don't paint it....

Our fireplace was painted before we bought the house.
I really like that it's painted.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I did green slate in my bathroom and that colour is very similar. I think if you put green slate mixed in with some terra cotta tiles on the floor around the fireplace it would pull everything together in an earth tone way. Buy 1 green slate floor tile and fold it up to that fireplace to see how it would look.

do you suppose they picked that chair to match the bricks?

brickeyee, If I still lived in that house, I'd make you a very large bet that you couldn't identify every past color! No, we did not sandblast. I'm just a bit (only a bit:))of a perfectionist and the paint came off. Brick was smooth which was a huge advantage.

My before and after...for what it's worth. :)

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Oops...sorry for the size...I thought photobucket would resize them.

IMHO, if you have an old house it's worthwhile to respect the architecture involved. This means that wood should not be painted, at least downstairs, and neither should brick. You might as well have a modern house if you're going to paint over all that beautiful old wood and brick.

my fireplace was painted white when we bought our house in 1982, and i can't say i don't like it, BUT, i think there is a little corner of hell for people who paint over original details in old houses...

Noooooooo! I love that type of multi color brickwork-- its very prairie-craftsman-bungalow-ish.

Its the blah white WALLS that need painting-- they should be a rich early 1900s type of green or something which plays off the colors of the brick. (Are there green tones in the brick? Kinda looks like it)

I always like to see what the first layer of the paint is on a wall- very often that can lead you in the right direction. Maybe someone can suggest some kind of cleaner which would clean and brighten the brick

I agree with what others have said -- dont do anything irreversible for a year, live in the house and let it tell you what it wants. Often what at first seems so dang important really isn't. And vice versa...

My house has a wall with brick and it is very faded. I would like to paint it to brighten it up a bit. What kind of paint do you recommend and color? SHould i use paint or stain? The fireplace looks beautiful and rich. that is the color i would like but it would be outside. thanks.

I would not paint brick.It wouldnt be very easy to undo.?Being brick is porous.But what ever floats your boat.

First off I really, really, doubt that's the original brick. That looks like 60's-70's brick, there was most likely beautiful glazed tile to begin with that got broke or discolored. I would paint it to make the room look cleaner and brighter. Personaly I think that style of brick makes a room look dingy and the fireplace dated, unfortunatly not dated to the building of the home. P.S. I would only paint brick classic white.

Is this your final home?
If it is still wait 2 years before you paint- fads come and go. Are you still wearing the same type of blue jeans you did 3 years ago? Painting that brick is almost irreversible. Like getting a set of swimming dolphins around your belly button....then having kids- things just don't look the same anymore ;)

I might even suggest tiling the bricks over painting- I also don't feel as if they are original the dark floor leads me to that- and it is easier to reverse if done carefully.

IMO,
Heather

I think the walls need painted - NOT - the fireplace! I see old home owners as custodians. We're there to mainly preserve... (I'm not a purist, really!) I love the fireplace and the wood. The paint color does not enhance either detail that new home owners are trying to replicate (but can't) with their 'period' style redos...

IMO, the value of the home would decrease in value if you paint it.

OK....here's the deal. The walls are a beige color, not white. My furniture is an deep olive green/brown color. If I paint the walls, I'd love to go with a caramel gold color which will look fabulous with my furniture, but isn't really reflected in the bricks. Other than beige (or maybe a light cocoa), I don't know what else to paint the walls that will go with the furniture. Here is another fireplace photo. Btw...the brick seems to be original. The outside looks the same.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Misslori: I bet you never thought a simple question would get so many results. Grin. In my case the fireplace was painted before I moved in, so I am thankful I did not have to go through so much angst over it. Here is an old pic of my painted fireplace. I have removed the inset and made new furniture since this pic. I realize now I haven't taken any newer pic since. Can't do one now since we are remodeling the house and there is a pile of junk in front of it. Either way, in my case, if the fireplace had been left natural, it would have gotten lost in the bookcases. Now it is the highlight.

{{!gwi}}

Whenever I am unsure about how to decorate I force myself to go into a slower speed and let the house "talk" to me. Get your furniture in there and feel it out. I actually think the caramel gold on the walls may actually look nicer than you think.

Remember two complememntary colors work together to make each other look even better. Sometimes when you can't think of a color to match, find the complement and think at it from that angle. The easiest way to find a complement color is to let your eyes do it for you. Train your eyes on one spot and stare at it for about 1 minute. then quickly flip your eyes over to a bright white piece of paper. The color that you see in the blotchy shadow in front of you is the color's compliment.

I would try to use the brick as is at first, but if it simply won't work. Go ahead and paint it. We may be custodians of old homes, but that doesn't mean we can't change anything. Good grief, it is amazing to go back in time and find some of the garish colors people painted their new homes, right over the fresh woodwork. Were they any more color savy then us? If keeping these old homes in their original condition is the way to go, don't replace windows. After all those wavy windows were original to the house. Don't put in central heat and cut holes in the flooring to put in heat dutcs in front of the windows where they belong instead of a grate plopped in the middle of the house. And certainly not a new kitchen! Stainless steel wasn't around back then!

Sorry, got on a hobby horse there. I treasure old homes, but don't believe that they are to be museums perserved for all eternity. I bet they even redecorate Windsor Castle now and then. Hmmmmm? I wonder if they have any painted brick or woodwork there????? OOps! Sorry again, got a little sarcastic there also.

Enjoy your home!

Well we old house people are an impassioned bunch and just don't get me started dianaadele about people removing wavy glass windows-- them's fighting words ;-)

To O.P., have you tried posting on the decorating forum re: what colors might work w/ fireplace, woodwork, + furniture. There's some really talented people there who can advise exact shades & paint colors. My thought is greens/ golds would be beautiful in combination w/ wood & brick as well as olive upholstery... but couldn't say exactly which shades to choose...

Did you guys have to bring up windows? As soon as I moved into my 1916 craftsman every one told me all it needed was the 90 year old,in perfect working order, wavy glass windows replaced and vinyl sidding put over my painted cedar shakes. Then it would look "just great".

Eak! Is this to now become wavy glass wars?

:)

:0

;)

I just felt bad for Misslori. I love old houses, but I also try to be practical.

....And before anyone says anything. I know most wavy windows can be reglazed, etc to make them more energy efficient. I was just using it as an example.

Try some reds on the walls. The easiest way to do this is to hang clothing you have on the wall next to the mantle- of course only once you have your furniture in- then try it tossed over the furniture....You would be surprised how much color your closet has to start the experiment with!! Blankets, towels and I've even used fashion bras....it gives you a point of reference on what you like and what will work in the room.

Heather

Sorry dainaadele didn't mean to sound snapish, just been hearing the window thing here lately. I actually agree with you, my utilitarian kitchen was completely renovated in the mid 40's - early 50's. What was new and modern then went out of style for a while and is wonderfully vintage now so all changes are not bad if done tastefully.

Theda-blue: You weren't being snapish. I thought it was more humerous than anything else. It's hysterical the way all of us old home lovers are. We become like too many cooks in the kitchen.

I love the brick!! My first impression of your photo was that the tones were like slate. wonderful colors. I agree with previous posts that the wall should be painted to enhance the brick. I would go green. In small rooms, can't upholstery same color as wall make the room feel spacious?

I love all the discussion this topic has raised, and I love the passion old homes inspire. It's why I bought one! I'm willing to bet those who buy new homes don't fret about painting a fireplace, replacing windows, or painting woodwork. Probably too busy getting the sticks in their yard to grow. ;) Anyway...I do agree that old homes can retain much of their old home charm while also submitting to changes to fit tastes and conveniences of modern living. I definitely will live with the brick as it is for a while and see how I feel about it. Now...if I could just decide on a wall color!

I would move your stuff in and live with it for a bit. Personally I really like the fireplace. I like it even more in the second photo you posted.

I'm moving into a 1926 bungalow on the weekend with a hell of a ghastly fireplace (installed in the 70s I think) that I plan on painting over/drywalling/I don't know what. When I get in there, I'll post a pic what a truly hideous fireplace looks like :D

Oh, by the way, if you want a goldish color on the wall that looks good with green upholstery, try Ben Moore 1101 Fennel Seed.

If it's cleaned well and you get the walls painted a color your happy with and that works with the colors in the bricks, I think it won't bug you so much. Personally, I think once you get focused on other things in the house and get used to looking at the whole room, the fireplace isn't going to be such a sore point. My current house is a 1950's split level ( can I admit that here?) and it has the kind of fireplace that has no mantel but just bricks around the firebox and a large trim surround. I've thought how to change if for a very long time, my most recent thought is to put some type of tile facade on it to make it look more updated, like a granite or something. Then I think... naaaahhhh. So, I know how you feel, but try and work with it and you might find a happy medium. I'm not for painting it though. I'd try and work with it first. Good luck. I'm sure it's going to look great as the room looks like it has some nice features to work with.

I would paint the walls a deeper colour and leave the brick alone. Live with it for awhile at least, painting brick is a forever decision. You'll want to be absolutely sure about it. Wait until you've decorated the rest of the room. I like the brick. Lots of different shades there to work with.

You have a neat fireplace there! I hope you can help me with my brick problems. The entertainment room's 4 corner walls is practically half covered with bricks. The problem is it's producing white residue (salt) for the past 3 years. We just cleaned it with brush and small amount of water. The white residue significantly reduced and that minimal red dust residue/powder occasionally falls off the brick.
My problem is we will convert this into a nursery, any idea on how to totally get rid of red dust residue? We actually painted it 3 years ago but salts are still coming out so white deposits are present so we eventually have to scrap the paint. Will painting it do the trick this time?

I can't see it. I get a forbidden, you don't have access to this server, message.

Ooh I love the brick!!

I agree that doing the walls in a richer or warmer color would REALLY play up the brick. I love that brick.