My white washed brick looks...blue?

7 years ago

Hello,

I tried white washing my brick fireplace yesterday after reading some articles about it and watching a video. The articles I read did not state a specific kind of paint to use for the process other than the paint is typically a latex, eggshell finish in white.

However, after I finished painting, it looks decidedly blue-white on the brick. I understand that a lot of the surrounding room is in a warm color scheme, but it is not the final look I want. I still like it better than the original brick, I just don't know what to do to finish the fireplace brick. I really don't want to paint the wood of the mantel as it is the one good piece of wood in the house. And besides, I think the issue lies with the color of white used on the brick.

I would very much appreciate feedback and advice on what to do from here!

Featured Answer

gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago

7 years ago

I'm guessing that your white was a cool white. Try lightly going over it with a creamy white.

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Comments (9)

PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
7 years ago
What color white did you use? The issue is if you go over it again with a warmer white wash it might look more painted than white-washed.

Try changing the wall color first. The yellow paint is probably bringing out the blue tones.
amy_cloudygraycat thanked Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
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cat_ky
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I like it, just the way it is. I would work with it, because trying to correct it, will just give it a flat solid painted look. Also a hint for you. Buy some poly. Not regular oil based poly, since that will yellow it. I used the polycrylic in semi gloss from minwax, and put at least 3 coats of it on the top of your hearth. You could use satin finish too, if you want less shine It dries very fast, so you can put 3 coats on in just a few hours. It will protect it. I worried that the great grandkids would scratch mine with toys etc, and then, I was the first one to scratch it with a simple coffee cup. I touched it up and put the polycrylic on and its been a long while now, and kids have played on it, my beagle climbs on top of it with his nails, and various things have been dragged across, and there isnt a single scratch.
amy_cloudygraycat thanked cat_ky
PRO
JudyG Designs
7 years ago
I don’t like a whitewash with your wood work. Would prefer black.
amy_cloudygraycat thanked JudyG Designs
amy_cloudygraycat
Original Author
7 years ago
Yes, I assume its a cool-er white since it was an off the shelf Glidden ultra-white interior eggshell enamel. I will be changing the wall color as well (but in the future, as I have to remove popcorn ceilings too) so I am hoping that will adjust the perspective of the blue-white wash. Thank you for all of your comments
cpartist
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
What happened is you used a cool white versus a warm white and then it was exacerbated because the fireplace surround is an orange color. The complement of blue is orange so what is happening is the orange is making the blue stand out more.

Not sure how you can fix it now unless you want to cool down the stain on the mantle. The wall color isn't the problem. The mantle color is the problem.
amy_cloudygraycat thanked cpartist
sambah006
7 years ago
actually the mantle color isn't the problem. It was already there. That's like saying the old cat acting up when a new puppy is introduced is the problem.

The problem is the whitewash.
tatts
7 years ago
Ultra-white is bound to be a cool color. Get a warmer white.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
7 years ago
Paint instaed and with a warm white.