Inspired by a Fun Renovation in LA

The Fireplace Before/ After

I was on the treadmill at the YMCA this morning flipping the channels on the TV when I stumbled upon the HGTV episode my Los Angeles friends,  Carmen and Johnny,  filmed on "House Hunters Renovation" several months ago.  The episode is called "A Wrecked Rec Room gets a Hip Makeover".  If you have never seen the show, it follows them as they look at three houses and choose one to buy and renovate.  They end up choosing a 1950's ranch with a detached garage.  The main project involved converting the garage into a rec room.  They added some rustic beams, some bright sky blue paint, and  a pool/ping pong table.  My favorite was the red theater seating and the funky artwork Johnny designed.  I was there at the time helping paint the fireplace and installing a rustic mantel and fireplace glass doors. The dark brick on the fireplace looked so much better after using a brick paint kit to lighten the brick.  The paint changed the brick color to a taupe/tan/cream combination while keeping the real brick look.  The rustic mantel matched the new hardwood floors they had installed and the finishing touch was cabinet style fireplace glass doors with a steel frame in oil-rubbed bronze.  The fireplace went from  tired and outdated to fresh and modern.  It was great to watch the episode and see the fun they're having with their new rec room and enjoyment they're getting from their new house.  That's what it's all about...right?  Making your home a great place to relax, spend time with family, and entertain friends.  After watching the show and  seeing their before/after projects I was inspired to go home and do one myself. Now I'm sitting here thinking hmmmmm... which one do I start??

Carmen and John

UPDATE: New Information for 2019

For all things Heatilator Fireplace Doors

EXCLUSIVE: Hunger Games/ Vampire Diaries Set Artist Loves Brick-Anew

Renee Lesselroth Roberts

Renee Lesselroth Roberts’ career has been a wild ride.  She’s worked as a scenic artist on movie sets, built a business faux painting walls, cabinets and furniture, and created her own original art using a variety of mediums.  But that’s just the beginning for this Atlanta-based artist.  Her passion comes through as she talks about her work.

What is your favorite kind of art to create?

I’ve always loved painting realistic scenes, animals, and people’s faces.  As I get older I’m finding that I like to paint abstract designs.  I enjoy multi-texture mediums that involve mica, acrylics, paper mache, glazes,  gold- leafing and lots of  metallics.

What types of faux painting have you done?

For 18 years I’ve specialized in faux finishes.  I’ve faux painted cabinets and furniture to look antique and I’ve even painted a pool deck to look like cobblestone.  I’ve also painted walls to have a distressed, old world, Tuscan look.

How was your work on the television set of “The Vampire Diaries”?

It was a lot of fun.  I created caves out of styrofoam, mud, and moss.  We used hot glue and glue guns to create spider webs. I spent a lot of time painting tombstones.  It got a little stressful when the director would call me over in the middle of a scene when something didn’t look right on camera and I had to fix it.  I had to have a bag of tricks up my sleeve to fix any problem quickly since all the actors would be standing around waiting and watching.

What about “The Hunger Games” movie set?

I had to make everything look old.  The set had new walls and I had to use a variety of
paint techniques to make them look either distressed, or to resemble wood, stone,  or marble.  Sometimes it took layers and layers of paint to get the look I wanted.

You tried the Brick-Anew Paint Kit on a brick fireplace for one of your clients.  What do you think about the results?

The results were amazing. My client wanted to get rid of the dark colored brick in her den but wanted to keep the real brick look.  I didn’t have much time to spend on the project so I thought I’d try the Brick Anew Brick Fireplace Painting System.  We chose the twilight taupe, a light taupe/tan combination, which would lighten up her room.  The kit took out all the guesswork and trial and error.  The paint colors were perfect for the project.  There was no blending or trying to match colors.  The paint had the perfect sheen - not too shiny and not too flat so it really looked like real brick.  The paint was formulated to adhere to the brick so there would be no chipping or peeling.  There was no odor and a short drying time.   The clean up was a breeze.  I’d definitely recommend this product to anyone.  You don’t have to be an artist to use it, that’s for sure!

What do you plan to do next?
 
I plan on having a showing of my artwork this spring in Atlanta.  I have some acrylic
paintings on canvas and some other multi-texture art that will be on display.  I’m excited to finish the pieces I’m working on so I can put them in the show.

Bright and Beautiful - Summer Fireplace Remodel

I thought I would let you see what was sent to me this past week by a nice lady Glenda who found my blog. 

"I am so happy that I ran across your blog when I was researching “painting brick fireplaces” I was so impressed with the reviews and pictures from your customers that I decided to try it myself. The kit came very quickly, which was good, so I didn’t have time to chicken out. The video was very helpful and so was the representative I spoke with when I had a question. 

I am a 72 year old woman and I completed the project all by myself in a weekend! I can’t tell you enough how pleased I am with the results. My family room was dark anyway since I had a sunroom addition put on, and the dark brick fireplace didn’t help.

I chose the Twilight Taupe which matches my carpeting perfectly. The newly finished fireplace really brightens up the room. My friends and family are amazed at the difference and one family member immediately ordered the kit to refinish his fireplace. His was a 17 foot brick wall fireplace, so he ended up using 2 kits."

For more fireplace ideas check out this incredible website. Fireplaces.net

Home Stagers and Interior Decorators Will Love This Redo!

Just thought you might be interested in the pictures.  I think it turned out great and much better than just coating the fireplace with just paint. We used the twilight taupe brick paint color theme, it is a sandstone, tumbled marble look with taupe, beige and cream.

Interior designers and home stagers could really use this product in fixing up their staged homes. The two ladies I showed it too really liked the way the fireplace turned out as well and is taking photos to share with their clients.


Fireplace Products Used :
Brick Paint Kits
Fireplace Cleaner
Black Firebox Paint

Hope Your Mother's Day Was Awesome!

Just wanted to drop a quick blog in today to wish all you amazing mother's a fine and Happy Mother's Day. This is a picture of my six year old James and I this morning. He took his mother and Nana and Aunt Tamie out for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. WOW did we have a long line to wait in and we got there super early! 

Yesterday my sister Tamie who is now down 40lbs in a little over 5 months and I ran the Swift Cantrell 5k Classic in Downtown Kennesaw, GA. She totally out did herself and finished in a record time for her of 46:22 and I beat her by barely 3 minutes. My little guy decided he wanted to run the 1 mile fun run so I registered him and boy did he keep mommy on her toes! That child ran a mile in under 11 minutes and never stopped once. I tried to keep up with him but sadly he stomped my booty as we started up the hill. The last leg of the 1 mile is up and down a hill about a quarter of a mile. Here he is and man was his mommy proud.  

I enjoyed having a nice weekend but I am so sore everywhere! I should have trained a little bit sooner then I actually did this time.  Be thankful for your mothers today and every day. May you all have a most wonderful week.  


Do a friend a favor a stop by and visit my sponsor's website. They have the market corned on all things fireplaces! Brick Anew

FMI Fireplace Glass Doors for your Prefab or Masonry Fireplace

FMI Fireplaces have been around over a quarter of a century. A family run and owned business that manufactures of one of the most economical fireplace doors available today. This past March they have patent pended a system into their design structures called Eco-Air Technology. To put it plainly, instead of stale, stagnant air quality in your home already from all the household cleaning products, paint, etc. You  now add you burning fireplace and just like that, you have created an unfavorable air quality in your beautiful home.

The Eco-Air System takes the the fresh air from outside your house and heats it all around the outside portion of your fireplace as it works with the energy from your fireplace to lift the temperature inside. Who would have that clean air and fireplaces could ever have a relationship? Wow, I know I'm impressed.

FMI Fireplace Glass Doors are a sound investment for homeowners who have Masonry and Prefab Fireplaces. If you are looking for a top seller in your area, look no further then your computer. Brick Anew is available for you online and is one of the largest sellers of FMI Fireplace glass doors in the nation. Customer service for this company cannot be beat. When I placed a phone call to the numerous listings I found on the internet to ask my questions, they folks were knowledgeable, friendly and conscious of me.... you know.... me, the one purchasing their product? Give them a call today, you will be amazed at the service, product and quality.

Related to this article:
Fireplace Glass Demonstration
Tempered Fireplace Replacement Glass

An Amazing new look on a previously painted brick fireplace

Color Theme: Twilight Taupe

Thank you very much for the amazing product that allowed us to renew our existing fireplace for a fraction of cost. It is used to be wall of white paint over the bricks and looked boring and ugly. 

Yes, it took me 5-6 hours and several layers to apply the base coat but it was well worth it. The second, third and fourth steps were easy and quick. I should mention that as I was applying coat after coat I liked how the fireplace was starting to change.  It worked like a magic. 

The last coat changed the look completely and gave us an amazingly looking new fireplace. Everybody who comes to our house can't believe that it is just several steps of painting and have to touch the bricks to prove it themselves.

Thank you for the amazing idea for the Brick-Paint Kit !

The Sickler Family

Related Articles:

Should I paint my brick fireplace?

Who would have thought painted brick could look this good?

Why paint a brick fireplace?

An Awe Inspiring Redo

I just completed the entire redo of our brick fireplace and surrounding wall.  
The wall is pretty large so it took my some time and a lot of elbow grease
but in the end it looks beautiful.

We chose Twilight Taupe and also painted the inside of the fireplace.  
I am glad we chose Brick-Anew instead of just painting the brick all one color.
The brick still has depth and texture and it is a one of a kind wall.
This has been money well spent. Thank you for a great
product!!

Nichole W

Huntersville, NC

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Change the look of your fireplace

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Get Fired Up about Home Improvements

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Painting Brick

Before & After - From drab to fab!

I Just wanted to send you a few photos of my before and after project with the Brick Anew Paint Kit. I can't believe the difference. I am so pleased with the results. I LOVE my new fireplace look and it has helped me to change the entire feel of the room/space. The color I chose was Misty Harbor. What a fabulous product and I would absolutely recommend it without hesitation.

Many many thanks,
Carla

Related Articles:
An Amazing Transformation
How to transform your home using good lighting
Fireplace Improvements: Add Value to your home

An Amazing Transformation!

It’s been almost a year since I used Brick Anew on my fireplace and have been busy with some additional remodeling, but wanted to show you the before and after photos.  I think it’s an amazing transformation!  Thanks for your great customer service and a wonderful product.

Sincerely,

Pat Billeter