Mighty, Mighty: Celebrating the Brick House

Like a lot of people, I grew up in a house that was brick on the outside, with a brick fireplace. In college, all the dorms I lived in were brick (along with most of the classroom buildings). And after college, I moved into a brick rowhouse in downtown Baltimore - one that had been renovated, so we had one entire wall of exposed brick inside.

I like brick.

It's solid, it's durable, and it works in spaces that range from country traditional to urban and modern. Plus, though I usually think about brick as an exterior material, my history has shown that it works all over the house.

So, with that, here's my ode to the brick house , in all its forms:

Kit Pollard

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Brick is so beautiful as it weathers. I just love the way the color fades a bit - and I love how it works with this bright blue door.

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The wall around this garden reminds me of my college - I think it's gorgeous.

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This might actually be my favorite example of painted brick - I love this color!

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In this room, painting the brick lightens up the whole space.

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I love this fireplace, painted a deep, dark color. Though some people hesitate to paint brick, I usually love the way it ends up looking - especially on fireplaces.

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Brick fireplaces are great and so are outdoor fireplaces, so it follows that brick outdoor fireplaces would be fantastic...but you don't see a lot of them. I like it.

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Speaking of urban, this loft's exposed brick is one element of an amazing interior.

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This bedroom has a great urban look - brick walls create a fantastic backdrop for big art.

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This ceiling, with its brick and beams, is fabulous.

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Brick makes this garden gate appear solid and serious.

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It's so pretty when just a little grass peeks through between the bricks.

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Brick is a traditional patio material and a good one. I love the way it looks as it ages.

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I love that this builder left the chimney exposed in this small attic room.