Hi Jennifer,
We are definitely wanting to change out the insert for a black one. But do we stain the brick? Paint it? White-wash it? Leave it?

Heat proof black paint is available for the brass. What to do with brick would depend much on your furniture/room style and colors. Paint is the last item in a makeover and usually is selected based on fabrics and textiles in the room. You probably should post more pix of your room and its contents for valid suggestions on how to change the brick and paint the walls, as well as purchase drapes.

That's up to you, there are definitely 2 camps, do you like the colors in the brick? does it go with the rest of your house and your plans for the room? is a working fireplace? or a gas insert?

not the same size, but painted white, more modern feel

paint it. white, charcoal, gray, or black. pick a paint meant for masonry. paint the floor tile too (you need a different paint for that) unless you plan on changing it.

I will post more photos. We are doing a complete makeover of our room. New paint, furniture, new drapes, etc. Our living room looks into the dining so I want to make sure the colors/furniture/drapes looks good with our dark round table. The paint color is more of a mustard, so the second photo isn't an accurate example of the current paint color (which we are changing).

this guy just painted his brick (similar to yours)

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/will-a-dark-fireplace-sorround-look-good-dsvw-vd~4388678?n=8

Beth,

That looks so easy and what a difference!

So, let's say we change the insert to black, what color do you suggest for the fireplace, walls, and drapes?

what is your furniture? what style do you like? If you do white paint, then get a wood mantel, pick a nice shade for the wall (if you like gray i'll give you some names) and your drapes should be a coordinating color.

I love these colors

I love those colors.

Furniture is TBD. I do like the mirrored look. Also, our house was built in the 1940's so we don't want furniture that is too modern.

Cloth furniture, rounded but not over stuffed.

I would start by removing brass insert, it slips right out. if you have soot under the rim where the brass was Home Depot has a spray that removes the soot very easily. once the insert is out it will seem updated. why not live with that and see how you like it. you can always paint or white wash. I am not crazy about inserts, much prefer a beautiful screen, where you can see lovely equipment and stacked logs.

I like screens as well, however there is so much cold air even with the flue closed. What do you use to prevent all the cold air from coming in?

you should have a chimney sweep come and address the chimney issue. Maybe the flue needs to be fixed and most likely the chimney needs to be cleaned. Many house fires and smoke damage result from that. With a proper flue, you shouldn't be having 'all that cold air' coming in!

As for the insert, it's easy to paint yourself (black matte heat resistant spray paint). But if you get the flue issue resolved, you could just forgo that and get a screen.

I agree that you must have an issue with your flue I have had 5 homes and there was never a draft problem. you might want to get that checked before using the fireplace again. I would do something with the tile in front of the fireplace. I would match it to whatever you do to the fireplace.

Hey guys,

Sorry for the delayed response. We have a chimney sweep guy coming out this week to clean and inspect our fireplace.

We are thinking of white-washing our fireplace. Do you think we should leave the tile, paint it white, or replace?

Paint the brick white and change out the hearth for a dark grey solid granite.

It will work with any style!

Joni, hi!

So paint it completely white instead of just white washing? What should I do with the tile?

Never mind, you answered my question about the hearth. But what about the mantle and insert?

I also had this dilemma... I updated mine for a total of cost of under 20 bucks. I used watered paints of colors that we had used throughout our home and sponged on. As far as the insert, I removed it- taped all the glass off. I then sprayed it with high heat BBQ spray paint- I think it was rustoleum or krylon brand. I updated it several years ago and the spraypaint has held up without any issues. We do use our fireplace in the winter and fall months- so this is tried and true. The before us the only pic I have- but you can see the before/ after.

Wow! What an improvement! How long did the process take you? Did the brick pick up the paint well?

Here is an inspiration for whitewashing brick. Don't paint it all white, then you have the problem of decorating around a white elephant in the room.

Spray painting the brass and taping took the longest.... did about 6 light coats. The dry time in between was a few hours- I did mine outside in the summer. Sponging the brick took maybe an hour and a half. The brick did soak some up, then I just went back over in areas that it still orangey or too red. Here's more pics of it now. I'm really pleased with it, and glad I tried this before deciding to paint. The paints are beiges and greys and I did 50/50 paint/ water ratio.

Did you alternate between the beige's and grays? Or did you paint with one first and then the other?

I did not alternate.... I literally had about 10 paper plates with paint and water... various shades- mixed some and went to town. I did about half darker underneath and half lighter underneath/ underneath meaning first/ base color. Then added the lighter coat on top of darker color and vice versa. I did also use a mocha/ dark brown. I do think this color scheme will work with your floors, the existing tile you have... I still have my paints and can tell u colors/ brand if needed.

More close ups

Alwaysgottaproject, so you whitewashed without white paint??! I love this!

Introduce more wood. Cover the top two courses of brick (down to the fancier area) with wood. Add a similar width of wood to each side, and continue it around to the side edges. Highlight the opening around the brick with a small moulding, and paint the whole thing white.

@ Tracy Hammel, I did add a creamy White, Behrs Pot Of Cream. It was watered down. I had it from when I painted all my trim and mouldings the color.

Whitewash first. You can always paint it white later.

Did you use browns as well?

Yes, it's mostly beige and brown. I added just a dab of sponge cream to some at the end. I already had white and black bricks- with mostly orange. My house is 1984- the brick was very dated looking. I used quite a bit of valspars iced chocolate (mocha color). Another one that is in here is hotel resort parlor taupe. I have these colors on the walls next to fireplace. Other colors are SW amazing grey, natural wicker Glidden, ancient stone (the color Nicole Curtis on rehab addict uses, and skinny latte valspar. I basically had jar samples left from deciding on paint colors from my home. Poured all them, mixed some colors, and just sponged on. Some bricks have 3 layers, but I did leave some brick peeking on some corners/ edges. I used a kitchen sponge and also used a sea foam 3" roller... something I had on hand. Whatever the adjacent wall colors are, I suggest incorporating them in. My home scheme is more beige, so my fireplace is beige. I'm doing a friends fireplace soon, she's going more grey- so her fireplace will have a lot more grey on the top coat. See the walls below.... the colors are predominant in the brick. Iced mocha to the left, parlor taupe to the right. Whatever your wall color is, incorporate those hues.

@always gotta project - what is your wall color?

The darker color to left of fireplace is valspars iced chocolate and the color to the right is valspars homestead resort parlor taupe.

Didn't read other comments, so I may be repeating myself. I would exchange/paint brass for black. Also paint the shelf on top black to balance it out. The brick isn't great, but could work. It's the floor tile that looks mostly bad. That's what I would change out next. Do the brick last. It may look alright, once the brass is gone and the floor tile is different( maybe a simple solid piece of stone, or large stone tiles in its place)

You inspired me, it's taking me a lot longer though....

@ Tracy Hammel It looks great!!!