Paint the chimney or not?

11 years ago

We are in the middle of brightening this entire room and now must decide if we should paint the fireplace. The walls are Anew Gray (Behr) and ultra pure white (Behr). We've considered painting the fireplace Anew Gray as well to camouflage the shape and later add an interesting mantle. Since it's so difficult go back after painting brick, I'd love to hear what this design-minded community suggests.

Featured Answer

PRO

K.O.H. Construction Corporation

11 years ago

I'm a mason and I give kudos to the mason that built the fireplace but, too me it needs freshen up. I have no problem with painted masonry. The design and skill level is not gone but integrated within a contemporary design. I like the idea of painting it the wall color and maybe a different sheen which will slightly high light it and move the effect toward a contemporary setting. Whitewashed brick look good in a rustic or industrial situation too me. So there you go, you got permission from a Master Mason and I promise we won't look at you funny and point. All the best.

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Comments (11)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
11 years ago
Please delete your multiple posts
countbla
11 years ago
Personally I would not paint those bricks. Main reason is at some point if not now I would dismantle the top portion and use those bricks to add to the lower portion making the edges square (and just plain drywall above a mantle shelf) instead of this strangely curvy blob shape. As you said once you paint it's game over.
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paper wheels
11 years ago
Before you paint it maybe you can try whitewashing it. It's a lot easier.
Kira Federer
Original Author
11 years ago
Whitewashing is a great idea!
paper wheels
11 years ago
Hope you post photos of the after!
Kira Federer
Original Author
10 years ago
We did it! We painted the chimney. I attempted to white wash but my version doesn't look as nice as others I've seen. I've thought many times about going lighter but don't want to create such a pristine white that I render the chimney unusable. I'm not completely sold on this color, but it may be because the room is now begging for decor.

Any feedback from this group?
Paint more coats?
Lighten the color? Stay the same?
paper wheels
10 years ago
I like it! Now just style the room up with some color. Great job!
PRO
K.O.H. Construction Corporation
10 years ago
Some times photos are hard to see the details, it may need another coat of paint. I really like it. When you paint objects of different textures the light and shadows will automatically make a difference in the finish. As for decor, this is the first of the 7 layers. You did good, please keep us informed of the progression.
Kivi
10 years ago
I agree it's hard to tell in photo but it looks like it's too much paint to call it whitewash, but does not quite have a fully painted look either. Maybe another coat will just finish it off. I do like it with the freshened up look.
awm03
10 years ago
Needs another coat. Paint it the same color as the wall but one sheen shinier (the result won't be shiny though, as the brick texture flattens the sheen somewhat). It will flow with the room design better.

I did this once in a former house and it was wonderful. The same color/different sheen for the brick blended the awkward fireplace with the room perfectly. The fireplace had a subtle presence instead of commanding one's attention.