Friday, July 26, 2013

Painting Brick With Chalk Paint

I finally did it.  Something I've been wanting to do since we moved into the house 10 years ago.
 
Yes, I do tend to procrastinate.
 
I've been wanting to paint the brick around our fireplace, but the thought of using a special primer, then painting the whole thing again with latex paint just made me tired.
 
And then along came chalk paint!
 
Of course I've been using chalk paint on furniture for the last couple of years. I've seen other people in blogland use it for brick--even asphalt--and it looked great.  So I decided to take the plunge.
 
Here's the fireplace before painting. (The mantel was decorated for Valentine's Day)
 

 
 
I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.  I read about a project in her book, Color Recipes, where she painted limestone walls, and decided to use the same technique on my brick.
 
She diluted the paint, so I did too.  I used about 2/3 paint to 1/3 water.  I just eyeballed it, so the ratio isn't exact. It took two coats. 
 
After painting the brick, I decided the mantel stood out too much color-wise and cut the fireplace in half visually.
 
 
 
So I did a color wash on the mantel.  I was going for generally the same type of look as my door, which is on the other side of the room.
 
 
 
 
Here's the mantel after, with the wash.  I'm not liking the white with the color of the stain of the mantel wood, so I'll probably be painting the whole thing out.  But I'm going to live with it for awhile.
 
 
 
I was going to paint the dated brass fireplace doors with heat resistant black paint, but the doors are so rusted and hard to open, I decided to just buy a new set down the road.  Fireplace doors are not cheap though, so I will have to put up with the ugly brass for a bit longer. But it will look better in the long run.
 
I sealed the paint with General Finishes poly in flat.  I didn't want shiny bricks.
 
All in all, I love the change.  I think it brightens up the room and goes well with the beige walls and white furniture.
 
 
 
 
And by diluting it, it only took a little more than half a can of the ASCP. So the cost was cheaper than if I had to buy primer and paint.
 
Cheaper and easier--what more could I ask for?
 
Before, from last winter ...
 
 
 

 
And after, with my summer white pillows and the rug I changed out awhile ago ...
 
 


And in this case, procrastinating paid off, because chalk paint wasn't around 10 years ago!  :)


Sharing at:

French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Twelve O Eight: Inspiration Monday
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party
Timewashed: Blissful Whites Wednesday


 

8 comments:

  1. your fireplace looks fabulous. it really makes your room look so much lighter and brighter.

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  2. Oh it's so gorgeous Deb! I like the wood mantle the way you finished it too!

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  3. I don’t mind waiting for your blog posts, Deborah. I know when you post you will show us something fabulous. Today was worth the wait. AWESOME!!

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  4. P.S. Is this one of the rooms you decorate for the winter holidays . . . visions of red poinsettias and green garland are dancing through my head . . . .

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  5. I have a twin fireplace at my house, only it sticks out about 2 feet more, so it is a monster! I was so glad to see this post about using the AS paint! When it cools off I will be in the mood to paint. Want it to look as good as YOURS!! I also have the matching brass doors!

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  6. Deborah, The transformation is wonderful! It really does lighten up the room. Thanks for sharing this at the Open House party.
    xx,
    Sherry

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  7. Wow! This is SUCH a great transformation! You are the first person I have seen use the chalk paint to paint brick. A thing called "mortar washing" brick is popular here in the South. I did the whole outside of my house and then my fireplace too with it. It is basically watered-down colored brick mortar smeared on brick. The brick house is had before this one, we had the whole outside painted with regular paint...when I drive by it, the paint is still on. I LOVE painted brick and yours looks amazing. I saw your post over at "No Minimalist Here" blog party./

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  8. I like it as it is! The brass screen you have does not bother me - but I am planning to paint my "antiqued" brass screen like yours with the heat resistant black paint as soon as it is cooler outside. You have done a beautiful job. Mary

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-Deborah