Fireplace -To White Wash or Mortar Wash?
We know we need to change the look of our fireplace. We have been thinking about white washing or mortar washing, but not sure which?? The brick has lots of texture with very deep inset of the grout lines. We are afraid White Washing is going to be too light in color, especially since our carpet is beige. We like the look of the mortar wash, but have no experience with it. What is your opinion? Do you have experience with either white washing or mortar washing?
Comments (7)
PROSabrina Alfin Interiors
4 years agoRelated Discussions
White washed fireplace with wood wall?
Comments (3)In my opinion, white wash would not go well with your room, nor your wall. If you do decide to go the wash route, tint it to a color that will go with your room, probably something in brown or tan would go with that wall. My brick was similar, and I used a gray wash since that does go with my room. I was also told here, not to paint my brick, but, in the end, I was the one that had to live with it, and I hated it. I am happy with it now. I dont like painted brick that takes away the brick look, but, I do like the washes....See MoreGerman Smear, Paint, Mortar Wash, Update Trim?
Comments (8)I would hesitate before trying to permanently change the brick color. Paint adds considerable maintenance over time as opposed to the current maintenance-free surface, and I don't think that mortor wash or German smear is well suited to your home's architecture. I anticipate that it will be a look that becomes dated, sort of the avocado appliances look of home exteriors, but much more difficult to fix in 5 or 10 or 15 years than avocado appliances since it's a permanent application. Replace the front walk and steps with ones that are wider and of more appealing material. Put a generous landing at the bottom. Look at Doug's sketched columns, thicker and fewer to frame the porch; plan something similar. Change color on shutters, columns, garage doors, and gable ends to something that works better with the brick, perhaps sage or a light gray, and if there is the budget, change the style of the garage doors. Since the front door is recessed, consider giving it a color that will make it visible. Is there good light for the front porch at night and if not, would adding a light that also is ornamental help? Redoing the landscape will soften the brick if it is done well. I would do all that first and live with it for a while before changing the brick to something that you may regret in a few years....See MoreFireplace makeover- White wash?
Comments (21)Art lovers usually start with an art work and choose paint colors and furnishings that harmonize with the art. However, you're going the other direction since you already have your furnishings. First of all, you'll be looking for a vertical piece that will cover most of the wall above the fireplace. What subjects do you think you might like? What's the palette in the room right now? (Wall and floor colors?) Landscape? Skyscape? Abstract? Realistic? Start to think about this. Look at what Beverly and Olychick posted. Notice how the art and curtains pull the eye away from the massive TV and balance out the space. I like the color block idea that Beverly chose. We haven't seen enough of the living room to make a call on this. Good luck!...See MoreShould I mortar wash brick fireplace?
Comments (1)You might be thinking of limewash from Romabio: https://romabio.com/masonry/limewash/ageless-beauty/...See More
Daniel Clark
4 years ago
deegw
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
Aglitter
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago- PRO
Hansen Wholesale
4 years agoRegardless of what you do with the bricks and mantel, one that that many people overlook. even though it is of such prominence, is the ugly prefabricated firebox that is the center of the focal point. You can cover it up and add a lot of warmth to the fireplace like this!
Shown above: Solid Brass Free Standing Fireplace Screen with Andirons in a bronze finish.
Try the FREE Fireplace Design Service at Hansen Wholesale 
PROBeth H. :
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agopaint it.
and that scalloped trim on the bookcases, sorry, but it's very dated looking. You can easily trim that off. But I'd paint the entire thing the same white as the brick.
And that mantle would also need to go. it's the wrong look for that style brick fireplace
this one is pretty close to what you have. notice the mantle and fireplace screen.
And, I think it would look neater if you put doors on your lower shelves. Like they have here on the left. Then you could style the shelves w/a few selected items and hide the mis-mashtried doing a photo shop. now, does this really look worse than what you currently have?
you have the exact same set up as these two. These look amazing. there's no need to hand onto to those wood shelves! I know they're oak, but they're not a super crafted oak fireplace. they're just, blah. paint them and style them like shown!
I photoshopped it both ways for you
pretend the surround is brick. but notice the shelving. contrasting color in the back, everything else white. you could do baskets or pull out drawers on your bottom shelf.
But, here are some pictures so you can see what it might look like. (and don't worry about painting that brick, it will be fine. may take a few coats (prime it first) but it will work. don't forget to paint out the gold in that insert. (or remove it)
this is almost the same as yours. you could try a chalk paint or a milk paint. (or just use Romabio lime wash) paint out the mantle along w/your bookcases.
richfield95