We painted our brick solid white. It was the best decision ever. We wanted to modernize the space and thankfully it turned out like we wanted. Whitewashing definitely provides a rustic look if that's what you are going for.

Family room · More Info

Family room · More Info

Family room · More Info

Family room · More Info

Thanks for sharing your pictures! Love your new look. We are planning to sell at some point in the near future. Hoping this won't deter potential buyers.

Since you're planning to sell in the near future, I'd refrain from painting the brick because it very well might deter those "purists" (a.k.a., cranky people stuck in the '70s who think ALL brick is some sort of sacred material that should never be touched). However if you do leave it unpainted, it wouldn't deter those not averse to change; they'd just paint it!

In the meantime, I agree with the suggestion to replace the two shelves with a more substantial piece, like a reclaimed wooden beam.

Whatever you do, paint or leave brick, I would certainly get a thicker mantel and bring it down a lot lower. I would also take down the shelf on the right side of the fireplace...maybe put the big "S" there. Am not sure but maybe your TV needs to be lowered a little..or put against the white wall with an articulating arm so it can be turned so that more people can watch it. I would keep your fireplace simple since it is so big and has a lot of brick.

I'd first tsp clean the brick really well. It may look quite nice with "fresh new brick". Then, a beefy, larger mantel that is similar to the ceiling beams. It will relate and look rustic and to scale with the wall.

I don't think that painting it white will deter future buyers at all! When I work with clients who are selling, I frequently suggest that they make simple updates like painting a brick fireplace to make the home more up to date. Plus, you have ot live in the house now, so do what is best for you. I agree that if you want to maintain a rustic look, go ahead and whitewash. If you prefer a more contemporary look, go pure white, or even cream if the white is too stark, and enjoy your new space!

Nothing wrong with that brick that a little soap and water and dynamiting the TV won't cure. Yes, painting it would devalue the home.

we had brick on two levels; as a wood burning stove with hearth in the first floor den, and as a fireplace in the living room above it. we decided to paint the one in the den and jettison the hearth, and leave the living room one alone. both were the right decision...which means you can go either way.

but if you are going to sell soon, i'd really not bother. you have a lot of items to deal with to make the room something other than it is now, a quick paint job really wont further the project a lot. no one is going to not buy the house based on the brick being left alone.

Well, you can be sure to get lots of different opinions here on Houzz :-)

Given that the original home is a traditional colonial and this is an add-on, I think the middle way of washing the brick is the best course if you don't love the result of Darzy's tsp cleaning (which is just prep for the washing anyway). It retains variegation and texture but isn't so dark. Your American flag approach to marry your walls and brick has helped pull this together.

Seeing the blue / gray walls / rug leads me to suggest that you wash the brick with a warm off-white instead of white white . it will help correct for the pink that can occur with the wrong white paint wash and is worse against blue gray. Something like bm natural linen http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/naturallinen

Some other ideas .. paint the triangle at the top the same as the other walls so it doesn't jump forward to the eye, tape off the bottom of the beams and paint the connecting trim at the base of the vault / top of wall ceiling white so the beams read out as separate structural elements instead of sort of plant on trim . .consider losing the greenery stuff at top of brick so as not to call any attention there at all.

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions!

A bit too beefy a mantel, but an idea...