Painting brick

[WoodysGirl]

Anyone know what it takes to do it?

[trickblue]

White paint... the only acceptable color...

[WoodysGirl]

Originally Posted by trickblue

White paint... the only acceptable color...

Eeeewww. No, I don't want white. I'm trying to paint my fireplace. All the colors in my living area is some variation of beige. Very boring. I need to add some color.

[Rowdy]

I used white spray paint on my red brick fireplace and it turned out excellent. I'm very happy with it and it has lasted well over 7-8 years without any issues. I also cleaned the brick beforehand.

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

I wouldn't paint the fireplace if I were you.

[Cajuncowboy]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

Eeeewww. No, I don't want white. I'm trying to paint my fireplace. All the colors in my living area is some variation of beige. Very boring. I need to add some color.

What color is the brick now? Red?

[Faerluna]

I was watching some home improvement show the other day and they had painted this brick wall in the living room navy blue as an accent color.

I thought it looked fantastic.

[WoodysGirl]

Originally Posted by Cajuncowboy

What color is the brick now? Red?

No. It's multi-colored, but they're all pale. Like a light beige, peachy-pink, and a couple of pseudo-brown looking bricks. Hope that makes sense.

It matches the brick on my home. I don't particularly like the brick of my home, but it's pretty low on my list of priorities to change.

The colors in my living area are beige carpet, beige sofa/chairs with brown accents. Nice, but kinda blah. So I'm thinking up things to give the room some flavor. I was thinking of painting the fireplace a burgundy, smoky red, or even milk chocolate, just to give the room some contrast. Haven't thought that part all the way through. Just wanted to know how I could do it.

[Cajuncowboy]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

No. It's multi-colored, but they're all pale. Like a light beige, peachy-pink, and a couple of pseudo-brown looking bricks. Hope that makes sense.

It matches the brick on my home. I don't particularly like the brick of my home, but it's pretty low on my list of priorities to change.

The colors in my living area are beige carpet, beige sofa/chairs with brown accents. Nice, but kinda blah. So I'm thinking up things to give the room some flavor. I was thinking of painting the fireplace a burgundy, smoky red, or even milk chocolate, just to give the room some contrast. Haven't thought that part all the way through. Just wanted to know how I could do it.

I like the burgundy idea. But if you decide not to paint,You might be able to accomplish the same goal using and nice landscape picture over the Fireplace or several smaller ones around it. Might would be more subtle and still very classy.

When my wife wants to change the color scheme in our living room, she just makes some subtle changes to the decor, (drapes, plants etc). It looks like a new room and she didn't hae to do any major overhauling. Just a thought.

[WoodysGirl]

Originally Posted by Cajuncowboy

I like the burgundy idea. But if you decide not to paint,You might be able to accomplish the same goal using and nice landscape picture over the Fireplace or several smaller ones around it. Might would be more subtle and still very classy.

When my wife wants to change the color scheme in our living room, she just makes some subtle changes to the decor, (drapes, plants etc). It looks like a new room and she didn't hae to do any major overhauling. Just a thought.

I've got some ideas that definitely include adding some greenery and other knick knacks.

I have an open floor plan, so the living area only has two walls, one taken up by the fireplace, the other by entertainment stuff. I don't have a fireplace mantle. The brick goes from the floor to the ceiling, so I figured paint might be a good idea. The walls are also off-white and it all seems to blend in.

I've just gotten around to accessorizing the house. I've kinda had a bachelorette pad until this point.

[Cajuncowboy]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

I've got some ideas that definitely include adding some greenery and other knick knacks.

I have an open floor plan, so the living area only has two walls, one taken up by the fireplace, the other by entertainment stuff. I don't have a fireplace mantle. The brick goes from the floor to the ceiling, so I figured paint might be a good idea. The walls are also off-white and it all seems to blend in.

I've just gotten around to accessorizing the house. I've kinda had a bachelorette pad until this point.

I didn't realize it was a floor to ceiling fp.

Well, Cowboy blue would look nice.

I saw something one time that was pretty different. This guy had a house with an interior waterfall. On the opposite wall he had a fp kinda like you are describing. The brick had been painted with bright primary colors but it had a kind of swirl affect to it. Kinda 60'sish but not really. Hard to explain but was different nonetheless. Don't know how radical you want to go though.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

Anyone know what it takes to do it?

You should primer it first with some Kilz. If you don't want the grout lines to be painted better to buy the kind of Kilz in the bucket applied with a paint brush. That will make the bricks white, seal them, and create a solid base from which to add color that will last.

Then simply add the colors you want and the Kilz primer white will be covered. It'll last a lot longer than simply applying paint which the brick will drink like water.

[Rowdy]

I spray painted mine so it looks powder-coated instead of slapping on rolled, latex paint. I have not had one adhesion issue in all these years and any soot that escapes the front part of the fireplace cover wipes easily off.

[poke]

Originally Posted by ROMOSAPIEN9

I wouldn't paint the fireplace if I were you.

WG....the steps in the link above would work just fine, Hostiles info on using
Kilz primer is also good advice.
I did what you are thinking about for the very same reason and we love it.

the old color


after cleaning the brick of loose stuff beginning to apply Kilz primer



ready to be painted with new color



the new color GRAY..( almost as boring but fit with our black/white scheme)



finished and still glad we did it



it was a fun project which turned into changing the carpet, painting the whole room, new lights, new furniture, adding a glass mantle over the wood stove.......typical home improvement...never a good place to stop but fun.

and heres what it looks like right now......had to show off my wifes Cowboy Christmas tree again !

[WoodysGirl]

Oh that looks nice, poke! See, now I'm excited again. I wasn't sure, but I think it'll look good no matter what color I use. Mine doesn't cover the whole wall like yours, but it's close. I have windows on both sides.

Edit: Here's a pic. BTW, I'm also replacing the hearth. That's a must.