Resurfacing brick fireplace, wanna help?

[Ellen]

We moved in this house 30 years ago. The fireplace had a "mantel", if you could call it that, that was concrete and about 3 inches deep (what the heck were they thinking??). The top half was some kind of weird thin wood that looked like paneling, that was painted. All I can say about the whole thing is, it was really unattractive.

So I finally convinced my husband, who would almost rather stick needles in his eyes than spend money (and he would attest to this) finally admitted it could look better. So he called a friend of his who is a finished carpenter to come look at it. He did, and hubby agreed for him to resurface the top. My word, the difference was amazing! And I was quite content for many years. Then, I began to dislike the brick. I wanted to change it, but all four men in the house cried NO, you can't do that, it won't look right. So I sat on it. Dislike grew to hate. lol Told hubby I couldn't take it anymore, I was at least going to paint the brick, though I really wanted more. But that would cost more, so I relented. Got a few bids, and sat on it some more.

For once, procrastination paid off. Seems hubs has been watching Chip and Joanna on the sly. This was so funny. He walked in the kitchen the other day with this look on his face that told me something was up. He said, "I really hate to say this, but you're right. That fireplace needs more than paint, that wouldn't look right. Go ahead and cover it."

So, I want opinions on what you all would do. I will post a few pics. My LR is monochromatic in beige. Colors in pics are fairly representative, though not spot on. Wall color is Balanced Beige. I don't want to spend a ton, nor do anything too ornate or upscale, it would not match this house. Just something nice and classy.

And I will not be changing the LR much at all. This is so calm and peaceful, I can't see tiring of it. Love it.

 

[Karl_K]

My first thought is for a room that size is just remove it.

 

[Ellen]

That's not an option.

 

[caf]

I’d probably paint the brick a light color. Then live with it for awhile. Then if you like it, I’d consider a light quartz or marble. Something that picks up your beige tones. I’d search on Houzz for fireplaces and see what you like!

 

[Calliecake]

Ellen, I just googled “Painted brick fireplace” and found many on Pinterest. Are you planning to paint the brick and leave the wood above the fireplace the same as it is now?

 

[Ellen]

No, I don't want to paint it. I want some type of tile. But I was curious to hear what others would do. Light, dark? Small, large, square, subway style, etc. I've already looked for ideas, but want to hear your views!

ETA Forgot to say the wood top stays.

 

[Matata]

The proportions of the fireplace overwhelm the room (imo) so if it were my house, I'd seek to minimize it by using either neutral colored traditional tiles (in keeping with what seems the overall style of your house) or using a solid surface material such as granite or quartz or large tiles to avoid busy grout lines.

 

[MarionC]

Ellen, I’ve done two treatments with red brick.
One house, I painted the brick cream color, and in my current house,faced the brick with stone veneer.
Both methods worked well for updating my fireplaces.
I think just painting the vertical brick surface would make a big difference with least effort. Matte finish.
My 2 cents : )

 

[MamaBee]

I would paint the brick a cream color to blend it in and fade it back into the room. You could also paint the wood behind it white if your other molding is white. I put beadboard on mine and painted it white. This is in my house in Maryland.

 

[Karl_K]

? is it solid brick or is it brick tile/veneer?
Sorry if my earlier reply sounded insulting that was not my intent.

 

[diamondlove123]

I would paint the fireplace white. We just recently did ours and it updated the room with a clean feel and made the room look 10 times larger. Also it’s economical to do.

 

[monarch64]

If the upper wood/mantle stays, I would commission a piece of art that ties in with the magnolia (?) piece on the opposite wall to fit the center. If you also keep the red brick, you could request a bit of that color in the art. The heavy black/iron fireplace door...does that have to stay or can it be changed? That's one other thing I would lighten--maybe bronze or something that would tie in with whatever hardware is in the room/house (I think I see a kind of mid-century modern sunburst mirror?). The hearth... that's the actual eyesore for me. Can it be removed?

 

[Ellen]

Jimmianne, what color would you paint it?

Yes it's solid brick. And I was thinking last night, I could see what it would run to remove the hearth and tile the floor where it was. But then either I tile or find brick to replace the part where the hearth met the other part...Then the door would be removed. That would open things up a bit. Of course, now you're running into way more money....

I am not sure why they built such a massive FP for this room. I will say, I'm used to it, and it doesn't bother me at all. Plus, we don't entertain anymore, so it's just me in that room, hubby has a man cave. (and that mat on the floor is not there anymore, this was an older pic. we converted to gas a couple years ago) Of course, I've gotten used to a lot of things in this house. It was my grandparents, and was a stepping stone to me. But my husband decided he liked the one floor, almost maintenance free house, and the next step never came. The location is one of the best though, which made things easier to accept.

 

[MamaBee]

My fireplace makes the room I posted very close..Painting it pushed it back somehow and it’s a cheap try to see if it works. It does take a lot of paint. It’s a very long room but the depth is very shallow. It has to be around fourteen feet from the window to the brick and the couch is in that space..It makes it cozy..
I think your room is very pretty!

 

[MarionC]

Ellen, off the top of my head, i would paint it a light cream. Almost an off white.
Perhaps paint the vertical brick first and see what that does, then perhaps continue and paint the wood as well. As Mamabean did with hers. (It looks beautiful!).
I think you would be surprised how much lighter the room would be with light from the window reflecting off the painted brick.
The hearth might be fine left as is, with some of that warm color introduced with pillows or throws.

 

[MamaBee]

No, I don't want to paint it. I want some type of tile. But I was curious to hear what others would do. Light, dark? Small, large, square, subway style, etc. I've already looked for ideas, but want to hear your views!

ETA Forgot to say the wood top stays.

Ellen...Go on Houzz..Search for fireplace surrounds..and you will find hundreds of photos..I love marble or something equivalent for the base to keep it one piece..and something without a lot of grout lines that are prominent for the face..If you want it to be a feature you can use a color like you mentioned with something like a subway tile in fireplace proof colored glass or tile..If you want it to fade back then keep the tiles cream..

 

[MarionC]

With a dominating structure this size, the simpler the treatment the better unless you want to « bump up » the rest of the room with color and pattern to balance things out visually.

 

[Ellen]

mamabean, our LR's are exactly the same as far as shape. But I have you beat, 27 x 12.4! It makes it challenging to deal with, but I too find my room cozy and comfortable. (thank you!) But I can easily say, if I had my choice, this would not be the layout/shape I would pick, nor would I have put the FP where it is. And yes, I have been told it will take a lot of paint. Bids were more than a room.....

And I have actually been on Houzz to get ideas. I too came away loving marble and lighter colored large tiles. I just was curious what others would suggest, plus I wanted to see if I was "off", though in the end it's what I like that really matters I guess.


jimmianne, thanks. I can say now though, I can't paint that wood. I love it, and simply couldn't bring myself to paint it. But that's not to say I don't love painted wood, I do. And mamabean's is gorgeous!

You raise a point about the simpler treatment. I was wondering why so many voted for paint after I said I didn't want to paint. But then I began to wonder if tiling would make it stand out more? I just love tiled FP's...

Is that what you all are thinking that recommended paint?

BTW, this was taken near Christmas, this is not my usual decor for the FP.

 

[MamaBee]

I suggested paint because it’s a dramatic makeover with little cost and labor. The tile won’t make it stand out more if you keep it a little lighter but not too light because you’re keeping the wood above the mantel..which is gorgeous. A medium color but on the lighter side of medium would blend better with the wood..and I would cross pollinate by putting a bit of the color of the tile you pick somewhere on the mantel or in a picture above the fireplace. You don’t have to nail into that beautiful wood..You can lean a large picture on the mantel. I did that with my mantel in my FR in Pa.

 

[House Cat]

Since you want to leave the top, I almost feel that changing the bottom will make it look awkward. The dark wooden top sitting on top of a lighter tile bottom will look as though it were two different decorating styles spliced onto one another. Something’s gotta give if you want a cohesive look...otherwise, I vote to leave it.

I’m assuming you’re going for a lighter tile.

The only other option would be to use a lighter tile and then to go with a fireplace surround that matches the wood above, see Matata’s example. This would provide a more pulled together look. The problem I see with this idea is that it would bring more presence to the already large fireplace. Honestly, I don’t mind it’s size. I bet when you’re in the room, it’s just fine.

 

[Ellen]

I suggested paint because it’s a dramatic makeover with little cost and labor. The tile won’t make it stand out more if you keep it a little lighter but not too light because you’re keeping the wood above the mantel..which is gorgeous. A medium color but on the lighter side of medium would blend better with the wood..and I would cross pollinate by putting a bit of the color of the tile you pick somewhere on the mantel or in a picture above the fireplace. You don’t have to nail into that beautiful wood..You can lean a large picture on the mantel. I did that with my mantel in my FR in Pa.

Thank you for elaborating.

I agree paint would be cheaper, but I had really wanted tile, and with the "boss" agreeing to it, I'd really like to go that route, IF it won't make the FP take over the room any more than it already does. And I agree with the cross pollinating. (I've never heard that term used in decorating!)

Funny story about a painting and nails. Originally, the carpenter was going to make the front look like the sides, which you can't totally see. It's as if there is a frame of wood within that section. So the front would have looked like it had three inset panels. That's the best way I can describe it, though I may be mangling it. Anywho, I said I would rather he make it like it is, so I could hang a picture there. So he did. And then it was so beautiful and new, I could bring myself to put a nail in it. He just looked at me later and said, I put all kinds of nails in it, go head. lol So yes, resting a picture is a good option. Thanks!!

 

[Ellen]

Since you want to leave the top, I almost feel that changing the bottom will make it look awkward. The dark wooden top sitting on top of a lighter tile bottom will look as though it were two different decorating styles spliced onto one another. Something’s gotta give if you want a cohesive look...otherwise, I vote to leave it.

I’m assuming you’re going for a lighter tile.

The only other option would be to use a lighter tile and then to go with a fireplace surround that matches the wood above, see Matata’s example. This would provide a more pulled together look. The problem I see with this idea is that it would bring more presence to the already large fireplace. Honestly, I don’t mind it’s size. I bet when you’re in the room, it’s just fine.

It really is.

Thanks for chiming in. I can sorta see what you mean about the top and bottom maybe not working, though as mamabean suggested, if I get a painting that incorporates the lighter color it might work.

I agree that a wood surround would help things mesh better, but, that's definitely going to up the price, plus I do think it will accentuate the FP more.... Things to think about, but that's why I asked!

 

[marymm]

Yeah, if it were me, I'd paint the brick a very light cream color, change the black metal piece to something similar in cream, and then remove the hearth entirely and replace it with a narrower and flat piece of natural rough-textured light-colored granite bordered in wood to match the mantle.

 

[AV_]

The room reminds me of many I am seeing here: fireplaces are relatively enormous!

Let me explain: I am looking for a traditional house in Andalusia so I am seeing many fireplaces of a certain style I came to love. In short: the houses are miniatures by modern standards (a wish I have always had), all provided with large fireplaces out of proportion with the rooms. Only in winter the fireplaces are not too big (in summer their size is also important - for piping bats into the house!... & more; OK.) The point: these fireplaces - look great to me, painted as they are in the same lime white as the walls...

I am not sure this is the best or only option for a large fireplace to fit in...

-

The first thing that came to mind seeing your pictures was: why the glaring white GROUT! If not for the white grid, the brick colour would fit with everything around... I'd probably try to make the lines interesting, reminding weathered cement or some such, as I tend to notice this detail about old brick or stone walls. I have seen such finish done, but do not know anything about it.

2c

 

[Ellen]

Yeah, if it were me, I'd paint the brick a very light cream color, change the black metal piece to something similar in cream, and then remove the hearth entirely and replace it with a narrower and flat piece of natural rough-textured light-colored granite bordered in wood to match the mantle.

I've never seen cream FP doors, and in doing a quick search, I don't see any. Also, if we take the hearth away, it will leave the heighth that was the hearth, exposed where the hearth met the back part. There will be no brick there, I'm guessing? Of course can't know for sure til you get there.... Then what does one do if there is no brick?

 

[Ellen]

The room reminds me of many I am seeing here: fireplaces are relatively enormous!

Let me explain: I am looking for a traditional house in Andalusia so I am seeing many fireplaces of a certain style I came to love. In short: the houses are miniatures by modern standards (a wish I have always had), all provided with large fireplaces out of proportion with the rooms. Only in winter the fireplaces are not too big (in summer their size is also important - for piping bats into the house!... & more; OK.) The point: these fireplaces - look great to me, painted as they are in the same lime white as the walls...

I am not sure this is the best or only option for a large fireplace to fit in...

-

The first thing that came to mind seeing your pictures was: why the glaring white GROUT! If not for the white grid, the brick colour would fit with everything around... I'd probably try to make the lines interesting, reminding weathered cement or some such, as I tend to notice this detail about old brick or stone walls. I have seen such finish done, but do not know anything about it.

2c

Yeah, why the grout indeed?! Maybe that was fashionable at one time? lol But I don't like the brick this color at all, so it and the grout are both out.

Interesting about you seeing over sized FP's. I may look into why one would do that.

 

[marymm]

^ maybe cream FP metal isn't available? I've seen (IRL as well) gold metal FPs.

Anyway, practically speaking, I guess cream metal wouldn't make sense, due to the darkness/mess of wood ash? Keeping it the black FP would work, since the black is apparently standard and classic.

If there is a gap below, once you remove the tiled hearth, a strip of the same rough granite could be installed there.

 

[Matata]

@Ellen....I've got it, the perfect solution -- plaster!!!! It would look awesome with the wood, you can make it any color or texture you want, you can use it on the hearth too, and it can be installed right over the brick. Venetian plaster with its slight sheen or regular matte plaster -- either would work.

 

[jbake]

You mentioned Chip & Joanna in your original post. They updated a fireplace with a “German smear” technique that lets the brick peek through, but softens the overall look. They did it to an exterior of a house, too.

It would be similar to a whitewashing or limewash look.
Here are some Pinterest screenshots

 

[MamaBee]

You mentioned Chip & Joanna in your original post. They updated a fireplace with a “German smear” technique that lets the brick peek through, but softens the overall look. They did it to an exterior of a house, too.

It would be similar to a whitewashing or limewash look.
Here are some Pinterest screenshots

I love that look!