What is the house style? The "smear" I'm familiar with is from central Texas in the Hill Country; Fredericksburg Sunday-house German settler homes. Is that your home's style?

"Faux" finishing generally looks just like that - faux.

I have never done anything to brick but I love that schmear look.

I am not fond of the schmear look, and I really dislike fully painted brick, it looks a bit like plastic or fake brick to me. I do like brick with a paint wash though, and that may be what you are talking about, when you see some brick color come through.

None of it looks good close up. Faux.

I’ve seen images of your space, and I think, as the wall is structural and cannot be demoed, you should Sheetrock over the brick.

We painted our brick fp wall black (BM Aura paint in matte finish; looks almost leather like on the brick).

We are very happy with how it turned out. DH thinks it looks like something in a Tim Burton movie. :)

I would like to see the fireplace and the space it is in. I am totally against painting exterior brick but I often paint interior for the simple reason sometimes the brick is just too much for the decor.

Meg, I think we need to see it - is it the kitchen, fireplace, flooring? Why do you want to alter it? I'm not at all against German schmear - depending on the home, if it is appropriate for the/your style.

We are installing brick veneer in a couple areas, and I plan to flush the mortar to give it an older look, and add a wee bit of 'schmear'. After which I'll add a bit of antiquing, but only if I deem it needed.

There are several ways to alter brick, as you've mentioned. You need a rather artistic hand for some - to keep it looking authentic. If you do proceed, I recommend gathering as many photos of what you want it to look like first, then attempting it on some separate brick, purchased at a brick yard. Often brick is antiqued ever so slightly by using a mix of very wet plaster and light paint, and gently splattering - before installing. I wouldn't do that after installed, you won't get the same look unless you are exceptionally talented.

Be aware that brick stain will most likely leave your brick a rather dulled, monotone color. This was applied to my front steps after a mortar mishap by a rather horrible tile layer. It eventually faded with weather, but I found the entire look to be unattractive. You might not, but again, test on separate bricks.

Painting the brick seems popular now, though I'm not fond of the look. I prefer the brick pretty much in it's original state.

Do you want to lighten it? Do you want it to look older? What you do depends on your home and the look you want. Choosing something random, just to make a change, most likely will not end in good results.

Check out the Romabio website if you want to keep the brick and soften the color. Romabio isn't paint or schmear, it's a limewash with a chalky finish that allows the brick to "breathe" so it doesn't peel or flake. It's easy to apply and available online in different colors from Home Depot and other places. I started with a solid coat on our fireplace which was too heavy for the room and it was a simple fix to spray water from a bottle, wipe off the excess and adjust the coverage. A fireplace application tutorial is on their website. www.Romabio.com

If this is the wall in question, IMO it's the best part of the room.

Renderings · More Info

Here it is with a limewash:

Renderings · More Info

Nope. If you don't like the brick as brick, remove it.

If I did anything at all to the brick, I'd sand the cement off of it.

Meg, you're going to get lots of differing opinions, and now I remember this kitchen brick from your other post. I agree wholeheartedly with The Cook's Kitchen (I often agree with her).

When I first saw your kitchen, 2 thoughts came to mind - 1) that brick enclosure is keeping you from having adequate countertop space in that particular area. 2) that brick us incredibly gorgeous and a unique feature and I sure hope they live it as is!

Your brick is already antiqued. It's gorgeous. It's stands out from other kitchens. It makes a statement. My opinion? I'd never drywall over that, and I'd never lime-wash or paint it. Why cover up a feature so many seek but can't have or replicate? Do you want to lighten it? There are so many levels of German Schmear, and the truest form is using mortar, but you can use spackle, some use paint or lime wash and call it German Schmear, which it isn't. You can even use chalk paint. I think a heavy German Schmear would be too much for your kitchen. I think even adding a light touch would be too much.

I'd replace the brick floors with wood as they don't match well and are probably hard to clean, and leave that gorgeous wall as is. I'd not add a smidge of anything to it. But then, it's your kitchen, your money, your tastes. I'm not going to be living and cooking there, cleaning or dining in it. You and your family will be. It's your call : )

We still need to know about your style that wall for me would be a do over but if the rest of your house is all that style then leave it.

In her other thread - and the OP seems to have abandoned this one - she mentions that this is a structural wall built with reclaimed brick. Does that mean the "structure" is brick? Highly unlikely, but if the house is old enough, it could be.

It is way too much brick for that space - want to know how I know? The OP told us so.

What an amazing brick wall!

I see you also have brick floors...and the cabinet color and countertop are not doing you any favors. Can you provide more photos of the space as a whole? I feel like you are dissatisfied with the space overall but may think it's the brick wall that is the issue, which may or may not be the case. If we can see the entire space some other ideas may jump out. I'd hate for you to paint, stain, or schmear a great feature like that brick wall when something else could have been done.

Thanks so much!!!

That brick looks amazing as is! I am very jealous.