How to paint an old brick fireplace.
I was excited to have a fireplace in the living room but that excitement quickly faded when we realized it was in the only space that could hold our tv. After a lot of discussion, we decided that the only place for the tv was over the fireplace. Not my first choice but, when you live in a small space, you do what you gotta do.
The mantel wasn’t wide enough to hold our tv, so we did what any good DIYer would do…
We slapped a piece of plywood up on the mantel, hooked the tv up and called it done.
It stayed this way for 6 months until I couldn’t stand to look at it one any longer.
It took awhile to find the perfect piece of wood but we eventually got there. Now the mantel looks 100% better, the tv fits and we ditched the ugly plywood.
Now that we finished the mantel makeover, it was time to paint the old brick fireplace.
When we moved into the house the brick surround was painted black and inside was a bunch of propane logs (with about 20 years of dog hair and dust). It was dirty, dusty and completely gross. I wasn’t sure how I wanted it to look but I knew it needed to be cleaned up. I removed the screen, as well as the gas logs, and gave the firebox a much needed cleaning.
We lived with the surround painted black for months, trying to figure out what we wanted to do. Unfortunately, inspiration never hit. After we finished the mantel, though, I decided to freshen up the surround. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money or time doing a makeover, so I decided to just give the fireplace a fresh coat of paint.
Before any paint went up on the old brick, I donned my snazzy yellow rubber gloves and gave the surround a thorough cleaning with hot water and TSP.
The rest was easy. A couple coats of the paint we used on the mantel, SW Alabaster, and the old brick fireplace makeover was looking fresh and new.
It only took 6 months and a little bit of paint on the old brick fireplace, but it’s looking so much better and brighter.
The walls are on the list for paint (eventually) so that will change things, too.
I still want to do something fun to the surround but I can live with this…for now.
Check out a couple of other projects we’ve been doing around the house
Jo
I would buy new planters and flowers because spring is coming. (It is right?)
Joanne Vest
I go t Home Goods every chance I get! I am on the hunt for a black and white stripped pitcher. I have the red and one and the yellow one. Our kitchen/pub room is black and white. We have a garden window above our sink. Great spot for decorating!
I just love reading all of your inspirational blogs! Keeps my mind very active!
Nancy
Your fireplace looks great, Kristi. The extra piece of wood needed to hold your TV actually was a wonderful addition to the mantel. It looks like it’s always been there. Like it belongs. Well done! Thanks for the generous giveaway, Krist. If I won I’d buy new towels for our bathroom. I’ve had the same ones for more years than I care to reveal and would love to have some pretty new ones for our (still new 🙂 bath. Hugs, Nancy
Pat DonBrosky
Would love to find a Spring picture to remind me that it’s bound to arrive here in New England … eventually!
Debra Schramm
I’d purchase some piece of art to go on my mantel!
Diva Odete Kreszl
Love, love, love the fireplace makeover! Visiting your blog and reading your posts are such a visual treat!
Suzanne Douglass
Loving the white brick. It is inspiring me to lighten up my fireplace!
Stacie
I need to decorate the bathroom i’m remodeling.
Sherry Darlington
I too lived with a less than lovely fireplace for several years. I convinced the hubs to paint it & the results were beyond amazing. We sorta whitewashed our gray stone & added some taupe. Now I need some spring decor from Home Goods to freshen it up.
Karen
Just redid our fireplace and mantel too. Yours turned out beautiful. Looking for accessories to finish off the room, so Home Goods is my place always a favorite of mine. Enjoy your projects!
Brenda, Florida
Brenda, Florida
I love how the fireplace looks fresh and bright! I have lived in my “cozy little cottage” for 3 1/2 years and still have a blank wall in my little dining area, I have looked and looked, but just haven’t found the right thing, so I would look for a wall piece that fits my beachy cottage look. Have a good week and thanks for the chance of a reward.
Linda
I love your white fireplace. Helps me firm up my plans to paint my own red brick fireplace, which is in a dark room, to update and lighten the space. I love Homegoods and usually go first to the lamps and furniture. Always on the lookout for fabulous lamps to update my spaces.
Norma Fisher
Love Home Goods. They have a horse picture I’ve been wanting for 1-1/2 years.
Jacki Salinas
On, forgot to say I’d probably buy lamps at Homegoods ?
Jacki Salinas
I would love to know how you attached the wood piece to the top of your mantel as I have the same issue – – very narrow mantel. Thanks!!
Ann E
I need new bathroom rugs, so I’d probably do that or be frivolous and hit lighting. LOL.
Kim
Great job on the fireplace makeover and I love the gallery wall beside it. The main thing I gravitate to in HomeGoods are the pillows and tableware. 🙂
Melanie
Thanks for the opportunity. I need two baskets for my kitchen!
Chris R Bodurtha
Love poking around home goods. I usually head to kitchen gadgets so that or decorative pillows would be my purchase
L. E. Bruce
Love the white bricks. Really brightens up the room!