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harriet_mills

Painting my limestone fireplace yes or no

11 years ago
My cream dirty looking fire place does not match my white walls and trim now. Would you paint it?/ and if so how would you explain to the painters how to do it?

Comments (33)

  • 11 years ago
    No ,do not paint it
  • PRO
    11 years ago

    I wouldn't paint it.

  • 11 years ago

    nope, don't paint it.

  • 11 years ago

    How about painting just the wall around it in a dark color that complements your decor? The stone won't look dirty anymore plus you'd add a little fun drama to the room.

  • 11 years ago
    It looks fine.
  • 11 years ago

    No, don't paint it. Take that TV down and hang art work.

  • 11 years ago

    No paint, you don't want it to match your walls. Besides you might ruin it. It looks great except the TV is hung way too high. It should be just about 3 inches above the mantel.

  • 11 years ago

    Definitely do NOT paint the limestone. I see you have a very white room, walls and furniture. Consider a couple of decorative items, pillows? floor vases in a blend of cream and white to help weight the room and colors.

  • 11 years ago

    NO PAINT on your beautiful stone. It looks natural, not dirty.

  • 11 years ago
    So there is no cream what so ever in my house now so it does stick out? I was reading there is a way to restain stone? Any suggestions on that? I just want it a little more white?
  • 11 years ago
    no do not paint it because I look pretty with it what I would do is take off the the and add an artwork of like a beach or something with color but the the works find to
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Hi, Harriot. You have a very lovely and elegant looking fireplace. The stone is providing some needed additional depth to your monochromatic palette, and is giving you a softly sophisticated focal point without you even having to try- lucky you! Lucky painters, too!

  • 11 years ago

    It seems that a paint with blue would bring contrast and showcase your beautiful fireplace. Consider teal, turquoise, or even gray with blue undertones. Use that same color to balance the room with rugs, pillows, throws, and/or artwork.

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    If you really want a colored fireplace, sell this to someone who likes natural stone and put up one made of MDF or another material that holds paint very well. Craigslist is a good place to sell or to look for new surrounds, or you can build a new one right over this beauty and keep this preserved for the next owner, who may like it more than you do.

    You say you don't have anything else cream in the house to match it, but everything in the photo is creamy. Painting the wall a color will make the fireplace surround and the built-ins stand out. They are features that many would envy and that look very nice.

    If the bit of smoke discoloration on the stone is bothering you, have you tried a stone cleaner or magic eraser? Once you have it clean again, there are stone sealers you can use to help keep the stone clean. Check with a stone shop before using the stone cleaners or magic eraser to make sure they are safe on limestone. The sealer may darken the stone a bit and give it more of the depth that the other poster was talking about.

    I agree about the TV being too high. If you want to keep it above the
    fireplace, bringing it down would look better and allow you to reduce
    strain on your necks. Putting it anywhere else in the room would also
    be an excellent choice. A TV above the natural fireplace may not be
    good for the electronics in a roaring fire, which may be why you have it
    so high. If you build a new surround around the existing fireplace, you can bring it up to the height of the TV. You could even hide some electronics inside the top of a surround if you plan it just right.

  • 11 years ago
    Paint the surrounding area a slightly darker color to contrast with the stone. As in the attached photo.
  • 11 years ago

    NO

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    I would recommend not painting your limestone fireplace. Limestone is a natural product and the beauty is in its natural form. The color is neutral and can be paired with any color scheme. Paint the surrounding walls and let the fireplace be your focal point.

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    NO! Paint the surrounding wall another color to draw interest, Keep TV away...

  • PRO
    11 years ago
    Don't paint the limestone!
  • 10 years ago

    I have the exact same problem. People have told me it is an eyesore. I do not want cream accent pieces in my house decor. My builder had it installed without my knowledge. I wish I had a solution. My builder won't take it out. I wish there was a way to make it sugar white since I am stuck with it.

  • 10 years ago
    Why don't you start your own thread with photos!
  • 10 years ago
    You could probably use masonry paint and a really good primer, but if you didn't like the look, there would be no going back...you would never get all the paint off. You would also be losing the resale value of it...look how many people in this post love it the way it is. As one poster suggested, you could build something over it that is removable. :)
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Hang art over it that picks up both cool and warm tones.

    SOLD!!! Original Abstract Paintings · More Info

    Original Abstract Painting 48 x 48 · More Info

  • 10 years ago

    I'll bring my old truck over tomorrow and take that eyesore off your hands OK.

  • 10 years ago

    Oops old thread. But the offer stands.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Don't, it's lovely. Paint the wall for some color.

  • 10 years ago
    Old thread
  • 10 years ago
    No, clean it. If you don't know how, hire a stone mason
  • 10 years ago

    Rusty Empire, it sounds like PGLombard would negotiate with you over hers/his!

  • 7 years ago

    Did you ever paint this fireplace? I have exactly the same dilemma. I am not interested in painting surrounding walls, doing this, that or t'other! My fireplace is changing colour or its gone.

  • 3 years ago

    I know this is an old thread but for anyone still looking to paint their limestone fireplace I had the same problem. I searched everywhere and finally came across Frenchic paint I took the plunge and am thrilled with the final result. No priming, just sugar soap to clean and 2/3 coats of Frenchic paint in the lazy range, colour wedding cake which is a lovely soft white and you have a brand new fireplace

  • 3 years ago

    do not paint use a concrete stain if you must