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Emily A. Clark

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Painting Our Brick Fireplace White

September 14, 2015

I knew from the first time we walked through the house that painting the brick living room fireplace would be one of my first projects.  I’ve always liked the look of painted brick, and this particular room gets little natural light, which made the dark brick seem ever darker.

brick fireplace

(Pre-move and pre-popcorn ceiling removal. . . )

white_painted_fireplace

 

Frog Tape sent me several different products for this project. I used the yellow tape (made for delicate surfaces) to tape off the freshly painted walls. And, I used a new-to-me tape for textured surfaces to tape off the firebox. (It comes with a special sealer, and then you wipe it down with a damp rag. It worked perfectly on the brick.)

brick_fireplace

IMG_1022

IMG_1027

IMG_1024

 

A few of you asked me about my process when I posted this “in progress” shot on Instagram. There’s not much of a process, though. Anyone can paint a brick fireplace. If you tape everything off well, you need little-to-no precision. I rolled a coat (with a 3/4” nap roller) and then “globbed” paint in the crevices with an angled paint brush. I rolled two coats and globbed three. :) (You only get highly technical terms on this blog!)

IMG_1032 IMG_1036

painting_brick_white

 

As far as the paint I used, I had this white semi-gloss left over from another project, and it worked great. I like that the fireplace has a slight sheen to it now.

painted_brick_fireplace

 

We haven’t changed any overhead lighting—and have only added one lamp, but the white paint makes a major difference in lightening up the room. Now on to accessorizing. . .

painted_fireplace_living_room

 

 

Thanks to Frog Tape for sponsoring this post.

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Filed Under: Colonial house, DIY, living room, our home, Simple Design Ideas Tagged With: DIY, painting

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathleen Tweed says

    September 14, 2015 at 9:28 am

    Emily, the fireplace looks so good – what a difference. Love your wall color too! Great job! I had no idea there were different type tapes to use when painting other than walls! Loved seeing your “helpers” too!
    Kathleen Tweed

    Reply
  2. Katy says

    September 14, 2015 at 9:56 am

    It feels like you’re seeing my to-do list and then blogging about whatever project I’m putting off! We need to repaint our fireplace since it’s one of the last antique white spaces in the house. I’ve been putting off even looking up how to do it but now I have no excuse.

    Your fireplace looks night and day better!

    Katy

    Reply
  3. Lori says

    September 14, 2015 at 9:56 am

    OK……you have finally convinced me that I MUST do this ASAP! I love it!!! Your fireplace is almost identical to mine and I have been putting off painting it because….well…..there is no going back. Now I have to convince my husband that we must also go through the mess of having the popcorn ceiling scraped. ha! I can’t wait to see how you accessorize your new fireplace.

    Reply
  4. Lauren says

    September 14, 2015 at 10:04 am

    Hi Emily! I was wondering if you could tell me where the blue pillow on your couch is from. I have been looking for something similar. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      September 14, 2015 at 10:36 am

      Hi, I had them made, but the link to the fabric is here:

      https://emilyaclark.com/2015/05/how-i-choose-pillow-fabrics.html

      Reply
  5. Bethany says

    September 14, 2015 at 10:22 am

    Hi there! I have been a blog stalker for a couple years now… love it! I also love the wall color. What did you use?

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      September 14, 2015 at 10:36 am

      Hi, It’s Palace Pearl by Benjamin Moore.

      Reply
  6. Kristi says

    September 14, 2015 at 10:39 am

    Hi there! First, I have a confession to make: I’m the daughter responsible for the mauve carpet, haha. It seemed like a good idea to my 12 year old self. But I can’t believe the difference painting the fireplace has made, it looks wonderful! I love it and even the corner in the kitchen that you did looks great. It’s great being able to see everything you are doing with our old house.

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      September 14, 2015 at 10:45 am

      Ha! Hi Kristi. My 10-year-old son thanks you :) I would’ve totally gone with mauve carpet when I was 12, too, btw…

      I hope you all like the changes. It must be fun/strange to see your childhood home online. We are loving the yard and house, although we still feel far from being settled in!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        September 14, 2015 at 10:55 am

        We are loving the changes! Everything looks wonderful, love the paint colors and all. And yes, it is fun/strange all at the same time to see our old house online, but more fun than strange! It’s actually pretty cool.

        Reply
  7. Lana says

    September 14, 2015 at 11:22 am

    We recently discovered Frog Tape and there is no going back to the other brand. Far superior!

    Reply
  8. Maggie @Maggie Overby Studios says

    September 14, 2015 at 11:50 am

    SO GOOD! Lighter, brighter and way better!

    Reply
  9. Laurie says

    September 14, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    Wow!! Looks awesome! Love the power of paint!!

    Reply
  10. Jen @ Restore + Style says

    September 14, 2015 at 12:48 pm

    Wow – what a huge difference! Love the wall color too.

    Reply
  11. TeresaJ says

    September 14, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    I love the white fireplace! It really does up the space up quite a bit. I can’t wait to see everything you do in the new house.

    Teresa

    Reply
  12. Tricia says

    September 14, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    Hi Emily, you have inspired me to paint mine but I do have a question. Did you clean the brick first and if so with what and did you use a separate primer? Love following along with all the changes. You are really making this house a home.

    Reply
  13. Juli Thomas says

    September 14, 2015 at 2:47 pm

    Love it! The room looks so much brighter with the lighter paint and white brick. I’m looking forward to more… :)

    Reply
  14. Kelley says

    September 14, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    Looks so fresh and pretty!!

    Reply
  15. Kellie says

    September 14, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    It is incredible how much lighter the room feels with a white fireplace.

    I would love to know about the animal print pillows (fabric, source).

    Reply
  16. Katherine A. says

    September 14, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    Our fireplace was already painted when we moved in, but I didn’t like the sheen. So, recently, I purchased Annie Sloan chalk paint to redo and I LOVE the texture. One person called it velvet-ly almost and I agree.

    Quick sidenote though. When I was buying the paint and talking to the Annie Sloan girl, she mentioned that in a workshop someone had said that if there is a fire in your house from the fireplace and the bricks are painted, there might be problems getting insurance to cover it. Not sure, but if someone is thinking of doing this on a fireplace they use often, it might not hurt to check your policy first!

    Reply
  17. Alison says

    September 14, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    Could you tell me the name of the wall color you used? Thank you!!!!!

    Reply
    • Crystal says

      September 14, 2015 at 3:39 pm

      Oh yes, I would like to know this too.

      Reply
  18. Crystal says

    September 14, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    The change is awesome. I also feel your design style will be a little different for this house. Am I right?

    Reply
  19. Erin says

    September 14, 2015 at 3:46 pm

    So fresh and lovely. I can’t wait to see your mantel when you have it decorated!

    Reply
  20. Carol says

    September 14, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    We did exactly the same thing to both ceiling and fireplace when ee moved it. What a difference! ( well that AND taking down the red wallpaper :-))

    Reply
  21. Summer Hogan says

    September 14, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    It looks great Emily!!

    Reply
  22. Corbin says

    September 14, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    The white makes such a difference and really brightens the room! We have a red brick inlaid on our fireplace and I can’t wait to paint it.

    Corbin
    http://www.bluedoorlivingblog.com

    Reply
  23. KATHYSUE says

    September 14, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    Beautiful transformation!! I pinned the frog tape for texture, Thanks that is a very good thing to know!!

    Reply
  24. Carol says

    September 14, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    I kinda like the brick fireplace the way it was. I would have just painted the mantel a soft white. That’s just me though.

    Reply
  25. Caitlin @ thepicketfenceprojects.blogspot.com says

    September 14, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    This transformation is the perfect example of the power of paint! Looks so awesome! Light, airy, and fresh.

    Reply
  26. Caitlin @ thepicketfenceprojects.blogspot.com says

    September 14, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    Also, noticed the blue and white throw pillow in the last picture. Would you mind sharing its source if you know it?

    Reply
  27. Donna says

    September 14, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    This was just what I needed to convince my husband that painted brick is a good thing! I love your wall color too. Can you tell me what it is, please?

    Reply
  28. Katrina says

    September 14, 2015 at 10:19 pm

    Love the fireplace transformation! Would you mind sharing the new color on your walls! I love this color! Thank you ever so much.

    Reply
  29. Keegan says

    September 15, 2015 at 12:19 am

    Emily, that is so fantastic! My eyes actually bulged when I scrolled down from the first to the second photo. The room looks 100% better!

    Reply
  30. BB says

    September 15, 2015 at 9:01 am

    I am so excited about your new wall color! We painted our family room/kitchen virtually the same color – via lightening a different paint (can’t remember the name). Just ordered a new custom couch, love seat and chair from Ethan Allen to lighten and refresh our space. BUT I’ve been so unsure about the paint color. Even considering repainting. Looking forward to seeing your creative ideas in working with your new wall color!

    Reply
  31. Suzy @ Worthing Court says

    September 17, 2015 at 6:46 am

    What a difference – it looks great! I did the same thing at our house (that we’re totally remodeling like you!) and it made such a HUGE difference. Our fireplace was red brick with an oak mantel and surround. I never cease to be amazed at what a little paint can do!

    Reply
  32. Donna says

    October 1, 2015 at 9:50 pm

    Great job on fireplace. So far it looks like I have pretty much the same layout in my house as in yours right down to chair rail, fireplace, tile in kitchen, and even the same door entering the kitchen from outside. I even have popcorn ceilings but, hopefully, not for much longer. I cannot tell you how anxious I am to follow along as you decorate this house. I simply love your blog and this makes it twice as nice.

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      October 1, 2015 at 10:22 pm

      How funny! Do we live in the same house?? :)

      Reply
  33. Laura Stock says

    September 11, 2016 at 11:00 pm

    This is beautiful! Can you share what color of white paint you used for the fireplace? I am trying to figure out how whit or off-white I want mine. ]Also, is it the same color as the while part of your walls? Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      September 12, 2016 at 7:46 am

      It’s a white-white, and it is the same color as the wall. I believe it was just a pre-mixed interior white.

      Reply
  34. Vivian Franklin says

    February 10, 2018 at 3:39 pm

    Hi Emil,
    What type and what color of paint did you use on the fireplace?

    Reply
  35. Beth says

    September 17, 2018 at 11:11 pm

    What color are the walls?

    Reply
  36. Susan says

    November 14, 2018 at 12:57 am

    My heart skipped a beat when I saw this post (link via Google). We have lived in the same house for 39 years and lived with the dark brick, but now I’m turning over a new leaf and doing it. I was going to leave the mantel stained as is since we have other stain molding in the house, but yours looks so pretty, maybe I’ll paint it too. We’re not young, but since this will probably be our only house, we might as well update it.

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      November 14, 2018 at 9:16 am

      I hope you love it! It did wonders for lightening up our living room.

      Reply
  37. Mary says

    February 21, 2019 at 7:10 pm

    HI Emily. Wonderful job! Wondering about the little “awning” above the fireplace opening. Is it steel and was it there to begin with (hard to tell in photos). Thank you so much! Mary

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      February 22, 2019 at 9:07 am

      Yes, it was there before and we just removed it while I painted.

      Reply
  38. Emily Clark says

    September 29, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    Thanks, Jenifer :)

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Safari Cell-Phone Round UP! | Jenifer Parris says:
    September 29, 2015 at 12:59 pm

    […] Painting your brick fireplace….I am so itching to do this!!! There is something about being in the middle of an adoption, that makes you want to start and finish a project QUICKLY, am I right? Makes you feel like you can accomplish SOMETHING in the midst of WAITING for your child to come home forever. My sweet friend Renee has almost got me convinced to do a lime wash on the brick. Still trying to decide and waiting for a money tree to grow in my backyard so I can start on this project! HA! […]

    Reply

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