Should we paint brick?

14 years ago

last modified: 14 years ago

We are considering painting this brick fireplace. The brick is stained and we are thinking of painting it the same white as the bookcases. This picture is before decorating and does not reflect how it will be accessorized. If we paint it the creamy white, is that too plain? We like clean lines. Any suggestions on how to improve the whole wall would also be appreciated.

Featured Answer

PRO

Holloway Studios

14 years ago

Hm... I actually love the brick fireplace as is with the floors and wouldn't change it. Everything will change drastically when you accessorize and fill the space with furniture. Clean lines, white on white with Great ART would be the way to go in my opinion.
You could add touches of bronze in strategic places such as library lights coming from above each run of bookcases, hardware on doors and bookends or small accents inside shelves.
A great fireplace screen would really dress up that space instead of existing curtains; check out www.stonemfg.com out of CA. They have few distributers, but are the best quality you can find on the market and have much to select from. Be careful what you put above the fireplace due to the heat, but when you find a piece of art you love that would work there, you will know it.
Ugh... love that floor tile.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

Lou Thorsby
14 years ago
For sure you could paint the fireplace. I would treat the entire wall (fireplace & wall units) as an accent wall, painted in a warm color. Paint the rest of the walls in the room in a corresponding color. I would pick the colors from a large area rug on the floor.
PRO
Vicki Halliday
14 years ago
I would paint it white. Even with the lightened bricks, it cuts the room in half.
Related Professionals
Tuscaloosa Interior Designers & Decorators · Oklahoma City Interior Designers & Decorators · San Marcos Interior Designers & Decorators · Dubuque Interior Designers & Decorators · Aurora Interior Designers & Decorators · Lafayette Interior Designers & Decorators · Everett Interior Designers & Decorators · El Dorado Architects & Building Designers · Waco Architects & Building Designers · Williamsburg Architects & Building Designers · Fall River Architects & Building Designers · Bridgeport Architects & Building Designers · Pullman Architects & Building Designers · Baton Rouge Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cherry Hill Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
PRO
Shannon Ggem Design
14 years ago
Yes! Paint if economy is key but if it's not, skin the whole thing with carpentry and integrate a floating mantle. Run some un fussy crown moulding to create a finished look for the bookcases and viola. If you go that way, you may want to buy a couple hours of a local designers time to sort out the details. A local custom cabinet shop or Finish Carpenter can likely help you as well. Then Viola! Super Gorgeous!
josieb
14 years ago
I think a white that closely matches the bookcases would look great with the clean style of bookcases and rustic floor. Color can come from an area rug and pillows.
bododiodo
14 years ago
Do not paint brick.... if it had been white in the first place - you probably wouldn't be living there... Bricks need to breath, so does the mortar -- enjoy them.
Audrey Hennefer
14 years ago
Paint it! I did mine and absolutely love how it lightened up the room....
Check out the 'before and after' pictures.....
PRO
Fratantoni Luxury Estates Design/Build/Remodeling
14 years ago
I would recommend painting the walls a different warmer color then painting the fireplace. - Vince Fratantoni with Fratantoni Luxury Estates
PRO
Barnhart Gallery
14 years ago
I'm the first one to paint ugly brick, but not yours! It works beautifully with the floor. I really like Letitia's suggestion for library lights, since you have a generous space for them at the tops of your bookcases. I believe Restoration Hardware has one that while not cheap, looks fabulous. A carefully chosen rug and large art over the fire, and perhaps a color on the walls may help you to appreciate the brick more.

That said, if you still just hate the brick, then by all means paint it.
PRO
Holloway Studios
14 years ago
Barnhartgallery: I love Restoration Hardware a lot, but if anyone is looking for library lights, House of Troy has a very large selection of styles in great finishes at very good prices. :-)
Manon Floreat
14 years ago
I think the brick is beautiful, too. And it does work so well with the floors. As someone else mentioned, give it a chance to work before you cover it. Once you get your area rug, furniture and accessories in there you may be pleasantly surprised. Perhaps painting the backs of the shelves a color in the same family as the brick will give the wall more cohesion. Library lights are a great idea as well.
PRO
Charmean Neithart Interiors
14 years ago
I think the color of your brick is too close to the color of the floor. It just blends in and does not contrast here. Painting the bricks white is the right thing to do in my opinion. It will give this wall new life and freshen up your whole room. I also have seen wonderful library lights from Visual Comort. Hope that helps. Charmean Neithart
lrex
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
Thank you for all of your input - great suggestions! We'll plan to post a photo with the finished product. Thanks again!
bododiodo
14 years ago
Just get a really really nice Khazak -or-other carpet to toss on the terra-cotta's but definitely keep Brick as brick -- or it will wind up with structural problems down the line -- Way down the line --- but down the line.
PRO
Barnhart Gallery
14 years ago
You also have a cool opportunity to throw some lights on top of the bookcases that will send up a warm glow at night.
merlegirl
14 years ago
Waiting for the after pics!
merlegirl
14 years ago
Also, what type of paint would you suggest using...gloss, semi-gloss, eggshell???