update red brick fireplace (paint)? and what to do with high shelf
We want to update the red brick fireplace from our 1960 ranch house. Ultimately, we would like to remove the brick, shelf, and tile surround, push the gas insert back and flush to the wall, and resurface the entire area with either concrete or tile. We received a quote between $21k-$35k, depending on what was found once the brick was removed. We found the quote steep, and want to update the existing materials, while we figure out how we will ultimately remodel the fireplace. So, we are willing to take a risk on what we do to the existing materials since they will one day be replaced.
I know the existing bricks are nice as far as brick goes, but the look is dated and the space is dark. The fireplace anchors the end of an open floor plan that covers our living room, dining room, and kitchen. The living room "area" is only 9.5' x 7.5'. I don't want to cover over the existing material because the space is so small already--I don't want lose any space. There is a coat closet behind the fireplace and I would love to actually push the entire wall back, but removing/re-configuring the chimney would increase the budget even more. (I'd also love to "lift up" the opening/insert off the floor, but this would also increase the budget).
For now, I'm looking for a way to lighten up the area, modernize, and also reduce the "red" coloring (our floors are a red oak--I don't care for the look of the red oak, but it's not in the budget to replace the floors throughout the entire house).
Should we paint or white wash the brick?
Should we paint the tile surround? Leave for now? It's not flush with the brick. I assume it is mortared on to the brick and that we would not be able to remove it with out damaging whatever it is adhered to.
What should we do with the really high shelf?
thanks for any advice. I will post an after pic after we have a plan and complete the project!
Comments (10)
PROAR Interiors
6 years agoHi there! My suggestion is to paint the brick the lightest off white in the stone, try 3 options BEFORE you paint the whole thing. I don't mind leaving the color of the shelf the chestnut color. What is bothering me is the brownish color above the shelve on the wall. I would paint that a light grey, Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter is great. Hope that helps! - Anna
handdhouse thanked AR InteriorsRelated Discussions
Is this a good or bad idea for updating brick fireplace??
Comments (5)AM it's only available from the UK as far as I know. But some of the gallery participants are in the US. It's not the cheapest stuff but very long lasting and really the choice for what I want. I have been waiting for a sample. There are some other things which you could look at such as Keim paint or silicate mineral paint which is a compound that makes a petrified layer on the brick not unlike what Dyebrick does. It's not like a paint that scrapes off so it is good for standing up to the heat of fireplace areas. I'm not sure if I am going to be dyeing the mortar but with a careful hand you can use that product and get an almost new look. Make you look at the videos on the Dyebrick site, they show quite a bit. There are a few distributors of mineral paint in the US. One is Sydney Harbour which is a US distributor of Porter's Paints from Australia. Another is Eco-house out of Canada. I hope that is helpful....See MoreThink I'd regret a Two Story Red Brick Fireplace?
Comments (46)The only 2 story fireplaces I like are stone and are super wide. You need the width to keep the height proportional or it will look like a skinny strip of stone. I don't know what style house you have but if it was my style I'd do that whole fireplace wall in that horizontal plank wainscoting. I've included a link with an example. We upgraded from brick to stone and it was about 400-500 more. I've attached a picture of ours. We didn't do a solid piece of stone for the hearth to save money. Here is a link that might be useful: Horizontal plank wall...See MoreWhat do you think of the 'update' to this home in High Point, NC?
Comments (79)Here's something to consider, some of that wood is absolutely NOT available today at a cost anyone but the wealthiest home owner could afford. And even if the wood is available, the quality is not the same. The best woods have been taken and regrowing conditions are not the same. This kind of wood will not be seen again, ever. It is so wasteful and cost ineffective to take something of value and downgrade it. Buy a modern home if you don't like woodwork! Plus, a little bit of paint goes a long way. There was a time when dark brown and ebony wood (mahogany, chestnut, walnut, hickory, etc.) and red and dark blue velvet signaled "rich" since those woods and dyes were expensive. To me, white just says, "ubiquitous, mass produced mart store." I mean there was a time when even mass production had the touch of human craftsmanship and rich materials, but we are being conditioned to accept a much cheaper look as being desirable, to continue to feed our throwaway economy. Littlebug hit the nail on the head of why I don't like the stair railing, " The staircase, once a dignified and rich structure of satiny finished wood, now looks as though it's constructed of painted plywood." Because of course, nowdays if you wanted something similar within the budget of the common person, you would have to make it out of painted plywood. This is economics, natural materials are becoming scarcer, so substitutions must be made. So to me, that is even MORE reason not to throw away something so valuable. And to not realize the value of it is sad, very sad. It's one thing to not like that style, fine, you don't have to have it or live with it. It's another thing all together to take something rare and valuable and destroy it, when there are plenty of other options out there....See MorePainting red brick fireplace
Comments (12)I think a big part of the problem is that the upper wall colour has a yellow undertone and the dark grey mantle has a blue undertone so they clash. When the bricks were in their natural state, they had a slight yellow undertone as well so you didn’t notice the clash so much, but the stark colour of the fireplace now really brings it into contrast. Plus the new grey of the fireplace is also on the blue side of the grey spectrum as it appears in the picture. Perhaps if you redid the fireplace in a shade a tiny bit darker than the walls it would work better....See More
PROBeverlyFLADeziner
6 years agoNot crazy about painting this white unless it some how fits with the rest of the room.
handdhouse thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
handdhouse
6 years agohanddhouse
6 years agoWell, I've painted the bricks and area above the shelf. It really helped lighten up the corner area. I'm not sure if I will paint the shelf or leave as is. Lesson learned: the area above the shelf was wood and at first I used a satin paint to match the trim. I felt there was too much shine from the ceiling lights, so I painted over with a matte finish and like it much better. No more glare.
I understand where Fori is coming from. I still don't love the fireplace. While painting the bricks I had covered the surround tile to protect them. And I really liked the look of the painted brick w the tile hidden. However, when I pulled off the protective cover to reveal the surround, I felt the same sense of "ugh" I had before painting. Not only is the fireplace dated, but the materials are not cohesive. And painting the brick doesn't change how odd I think the surround looks. That said, I'm glad I painted as it is less dark/dreary. Also, when we are finally able to tear down and replace with a more modern design, the new fireplace will be in the same general light color. It's nice to be able to visualize how the lighter color plays out as we decorate around the area.
Any advice on the shelf? Paint the same color as trim? Or try to stain darker--like an espresso? Unfortunately, I can't easily remove to replace the shelf. Sanding would be challenging. Also, there is a groove on the top of the shelf--not sure why it is there (??).
handdhouse
6 years agoFinal pic. We painted the shelf. Also, we spackled the surround and painted it (fairly easy to do). It works for us for now; the area is much lighter and I don't regret painting (but one day we will replace it).
Rachel Staub
5 years ago
BeverlyFLADeziner