What should I do with this brick wall?

2 years ago

My husband and I just purchased our "downsizing home". We are remodeling the kitchen and master bath before we move in, and have to leave a few things for future consideration. What would you do with this brick wall in the family/living room area: embrace it, paint it, remove it, etc? Any tips for simple improvements or for decorating would be appreciated.

Featured Answer

Jilly

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I wonder when natural brick and stone became a feature so disliked in the decorating world? Is it the Gaines effect? Pinterest? IG? All of the above?

I mean, sure, throughout history people have painted masonry, but never to the extent as the last few years. It was something thoughtfully weighed and considered, usually due to bad brick quality … not a trend for any and all situations. Especially not with stone.

Looking at real estate in my town, a large percentage of the houses have exterior and/or fireplace masonry painted over … and they look like badly done DIY projects. I’d never buy one.

Reading old threads here, it was rare for anyone to suggest painting or limewashing masonry. Instead, the features were pretty much treated as background, and creatively integrated.

I hope the tide turns, as there won’t be many houses left with interesting and natural features.

Sorry to veer off, OP, just something that interests me. It is a discussion board, and I’m discussing. :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (22)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
2 years ago
Is there another free wall to locate the TV?
cathymiles thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
Sammie J
2 years ago
embrace it.
cathymiles thanked Sammie J
Related Discussions
Former exterior brick wall in shower, what should I do?
Q
Comments (14)
"I was just wondering should I be worried about the new studs touching the existing brick wall or should I put something between them." Good thought. Yes, use something between them. With the brick now being an interior wall, I'd just put tar paper between the studs and the brick. Alternatively and not my first choice, but in direct contact you could use pressure treated studs, but I'd recommend only kiln-dried (KDPT). KDPT are drier and more stable than the wet PT. Wet PT may look okay, but they're simply waiting for you to install them and turn your head, then they'll transform into a pretzel shape. lol If that wall was previously an exterior wall, are the studs still load bearing? If so, take proper precautions when altering that wall. If you're doing RedGard as mentioned in the previous comments, consider cement board over the studs, and after proper detailing as needed to the cement board seams, RedGard over that. To provide proper protection, the RedGard has to be properly applied. Usually two coats, with proper thickness. You can assure yourself that you are getting the proper thickness with each coat by using a mil thickness gauge. Maybe a couple dollars at your local store, or $5 on Amazon, etc.
...See More
What color TV console should I chouse for my brick wall ?
Q
Comments (8)
we went white. yeah there is a black tv on top but the white really is fresh looking. and seems less of a dust magnet, no idea why that is... dust shows but you can clean it off, not just smear it around as always seems the way on black surfaces.
...See More
Blue roof , orange bricks ? What should I do to make this more appeali
Q
Comments (4)
What a helpful attitude! Yes, if you can post pictures that would help. However, and blue and orange kind of speaks for itself, doesn't it LOL? One of the few, very very few, times I have liked painted brick better than the original what's when someone in my neighborhood painted an orange brick House a taupe color. Brought it right into the 21st century.
...See More
What should I do with orange brick?
Q
Comments (0)
I'm so over the orange brick. What should I do with it? Paint white? Gray? Try a whitewash effect of some kind? Thanks so much for your opinions!
...See More
4arnottp
2 years ago
Live with it for a while to see if it grows on you.
cathymiles thanked 4arnottp
PRO
MDLN
2 years ago
Embrace it, is subtle, adds texture to space.
cathymiles thanked MDLN
eastautumn
2 years ago
I would 100% embrace it. But then I'm biased because we just bricked the exterior walls of our basement rec room ;) I love the color of yours-- so soft and pretty. It looks great with the wood doors and trim. Congrats on your new home!
cathymiles thanked eastautumn
Mike Cybrus
2 years ago
I would leave it the way it is. Put the tv on another wall if you can, and replace it with artwork. Exposed brick is considered very chic these days.
cathymiles thanked Mike Cybrus
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
2 years ago
I am not a keen of brick. I would paint it flat white for modern look.
cathymiles thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
2 years ago
Or charcoal gray
arcy_gw
2 years ago
Embrace it. Painting it is a HUGE no no.
N Johnson
2 years ago
Is that your furniture or is the previous homeowner? I think the color and scale of the furniture and carpeting is throwing everything off. Do you have additional photo angles of the room? I assume there’s a window behind the photographer here? Is there hardwood underneath the carpet? Are you planning to install now or later?
Linda.Linda2
2 years ago
If you hate it, paint it. Flat paint only! Its really not that bad tho.
Jilly
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Is that the natural brick? I can’t tell if it’s been lightly limewashed already.

In any event, I’d live with it a bit before doing something that will permanently alter it.

My own preference would be to embrace it, but it really depends on many other factors.
PRO
Norwood Architects
2 years ago
Would recommend painting the same color as the rest of the wall.
ci_lantro
2 years ago
I like it & would leave it as is.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
IMO the best thing in the room and that Y&V has to go somehere else and is the flooring staying it sure would be nice to not be carpet.
cathymiles
Original Author
2 years ago
The furniture in the photo is the sellers'. The carpet is going to be removed, and replaced. Attached is a photo of the room from another angle. Thanks all!
Jilly
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Seeing a closer view of the brick … it’s really nice. Warm, interesting, good colors. Embrace. :)
cathymiles thanked Jilly
chloebud
2 years ago
Would totally embrace it!
chispa
2 years ago
If the colors we are seeing on our screens is close to the real color, then I would certainly keep the brick, at least till I moved in and furnished the space.
Kendrah
2 years ago
Hard to tell without seeing your flooring and furniture. Could be great as is. If not, then flat white.
apb0
2 years ago
Another vote to embrace it. That brick looks expensive, unusual--long, thin FLW ish, and gives texture.

What should I do with this brick wall?

Jilly

Comments (22)

BeverlyFLADeziner

Sammie J

Related Discussions

4arnottp

MDLN

eastautumn

Mike Cybrus

Celery. Visualization, Rendering images

Celery. Visualization, Rendering images

arcy_gw

N Johnson

Linda.Linda2

Jilly

Norwood Architects

ci_lantro

Patricia Colwell Consulting

cathymiles
Original Author

Jilly

chloebud

chispa

Kendrah

apb0

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

What should I do with this brick wall?

Comments (22)

Related Discussions

cathymilesOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

cathymiles
Original Author