Painted Brick Fireplace

Last week, we got to work on a super fun project. We had a client who recently bought a home with the brick fireplace shown above.  She wanted to tone down the brick color without painting it solid to “look painted”.   She still wanted it to look like brick but bring it into this decade in her decor. And my Magic Brush team was happy to help her!

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Before we got there, my client was brave enough to paint the cubbies in her trim color and to remove the brass fireplace doors. So proud of her!  That alone was a major improvement! She is not going to be using the fireplace, so the doors are unnecessary and not going back on.

She also cleaned the brick with TSP for us. TSP is a cleaner that can be found at any Home Depot and is great for taking years of dust, soot and buildup off brick or cabinets!

I took my favorite chalktype paint with me. This is Heirloom Tradition’s French Vanilla . You can order it from my affiliate link HERE . This is a good time to order leather paint or fabric paint and my FAVORITE CHALK-TYPE PAINT BRUSHES also!)

The only other supplies you need are tape for the walls, a rag in case you are as messy as I am, a brush for the grout and a sponge like this one:

Now listen….. this is a top secret tool at The Magic Brush. Seriously. I buy these by the case from Walmart and they are like $.99 cents each.

We usually rip them in half or thirds so they are more manageable.

And we throw them away when we are done cuz’ ain’t nobody got time to be washing out sponges.

And we literally dipped and rubbed the paint on over the brick. Stephanie is rubbing and Jen is using a skinny one-inch artist brush to paint the grout. Aren’t they adorable?  It doesn’t matter which you do first by the way….. the grout or the brick.  It’s not a perfect process so just start!

Here is a short video showing you how to do it:

See… super easy!

This is no more than a one day project max. It’s fast and simple. I pinkie swear.

And here is a closeup just so you can see our coverage. Keep in mind you can always start with less paint and go heavier later if you want!

And no need for a topcoat because the chalktype paint dries down matted just like brick. You don’t want it shiny!

Here it is completed. It looks so updated, doesn’t it?  We used less than a quart of paint for this project.

Here is a great comparison pic. Doesn’t even look like the same fireplace!

To recap you need:

• TSP to clean
• French Vanilla paint 
• a sponge
• a 1 inch wide paint brush
• tape for the walls

It’s a small expense for a HUGE change!!!

Check out this fireplace before and after painted by Deanna of DebabyDesigns. She did used this very blog instructions and transformed a client’s living room? Don’t you LOVE IT!?!

If you loved this fireplace makeover, check out my post on how to paint your ugly fireplace brass. It will give your family room an instant makeover.

And for MORE easy improvements for your home, check out my FREE video on 10 things you can do to update your home before dinner!  as always, you can pin the graphic below to come back to later! Happy painting!