Use Brick Fireplace Paint to Transform Your Fireplace

The fireplace captures everyone’s attention in the room, and the place where people gather to enjoy each other's company, a cup of hot tea, or a nice book. So you don't want an ugly, dated fireplace that's an eyesore instead of an enjoyment. Choosing the right brick fireplace paint transforms the look of your fireplace and makes it enjoyable again.

There are two main kinds of fireplace paint: High temp paint for the firebox, and brick paint for the exterior face of the fireplace. Any high temp paint you use should be rated to tolerate temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, and also come in colors other than black. Stovebrite offers high temp paint in eight different shades, each one great for dressing up your dingy old firebox. Check out these two newly painted fireboxes, one in off-white and the other in black:

How to Choose Brick Fireplace Paint

Choosing paint for your fireplace bricks involves a higher challenge. Do you want to go with a solid color, or for a real brick look? It's easy to choose a color and paint it onto your fireplace. The problem is that it just looks like painted brick. This isn't a bad choice, and it will look a great deal better than ugly, plain brick. However, you don't get the comfort and charm of real brick. We often get calls asking if Brick-Anew will work on a painted fireplace, since the owner doesn't like the look of painted brick (by the way, yes, Brick-Anew works on painted brick).

The key to getting that real brick look is to use coordinated applicators and varying shades of paint. This costs a bit more, but in the end you'll have the charming real brick look that you want.

Tips When Using Brick Fireplace Paint

• Use the right tools, including rollers, brushes, and sponges to get varying shades and patterns that are characteristic of brick.
  
• Use coordinated shades and colors of paint that blend together and give you that real brick look.
  

We highly recommend the all-inclusive Brick-Anew kit to make this job easy. It includes all of the applicators and shades of paint you need to paint your fireplace. Thousands of homeowners all across America have already experienced what Brick-Anew does for the look of a fireplace.

Brick Anew has a wide selection of fireplace paint you can check out any time.

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.

Beautiful DIY Ideas for Your Brick Fireplace

Special Thanks to Hannah at Young & Crafty

This years tree and mantel is totally different than something I would pick out for myself. A friend of mine that moved gave me all of her Christmas decorations. Awesome, right!? I typically go for more of the woodsy, earthy theme but her colors were champagne, gold, and bronze with a a smidge of maroon. Way more glitz than I’m used to!

I must say, I am in love! Now I have two sets of décor themes and can switch it up each year if I want.

And now I will overload you with pictures of my tree and mantel.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE OF HANNAH'S BEAUTIFUL PHOTO'S

There are even more beautiful things like Hannah's that you can do with your fireplace this winter. Check out some that you can make that are affordable and DIY.

Fireplace Paint - For Your Brick Fireplace, It's EASY!

ALSO CHECK OUT OTHER PLACES I HAVE LINKED UP WITH THIS WEEK:

Delightful Order: Delightfully Inspiring Thursday Party

Awestruck With My Brick Fireplace Painting Results

Here are photographs that you may use if you like. It really has made such a difference in our small living room. I had the Regency Stove we purchased painted Surf-Sand color to match the Twilight Taupe colorway. Even the guys putting in the new stove were awestruck that I did the painting myself. They put stoves in day in and day out and were really impressed. Thanks again for all the help. I am so proud of our "new" living room!

Pam and Mike B., Chico, California

Used for this project

Brick Paint Kit

Twilight Taupe Brick Paint Theme

Black Firebox Paint

New Look to my Outdated Brick Fireplace

I just had to write to tell you about the new look of my fireplace.  I always hated the dated look of my fireplace but the cost to replace would have been way out of my price range.  So I did some research on the internet and your blog came up.  I was skeptical at first - but decided to order.  Well, that was the best order of ever placed.  Family and friends can't believe the change.  Brick Fireplace Paint Kit is the best kept secret - everyone who owns a dated fireplace should try your product.  Thank you, thank you, and thank you again.  Attached are my before and after photos - see for yourself.

So Very Satisfied, thank you so much for your recommendation.

Carmel

Fireplace Safety

Aesthetics can mix safely with functioning fireplace

When renovating or installing a fireplace, homeowners should be aware of the many options they have and planning required for each type of option.

For example, it’s possible that your fireplace will be used in an air conditioned home in Scottsdale, Ariz. mainly for aesthetic purposes since it rarely gets cold enough in Scottsdale to require a blazing fire. Plus, the owners have envisioned the fireplace area as a place to place pictures of family and other treasured heirlooms. As the fire place is to be used primarily for aesthetic purposes, an enclosed or other kind of has supplied or fire log fed fireplace will do fine, even if it is not what people who live near ski resorts would think of as a “real fireplace.” A real fireplace used to warm the home brings the potential for real danger and each year in the U.S. thousands of homes are destroyed by careless fireplace fires or chimney fires.

So before planning a renovation, ask yourself how much of the purpose of the fireplace is decorative and how much functional. How many irreplaceable valuables do you want near the fireplace. Check your homeowners policy for any provisions against loss for accidental loss due to fireplace malfunction, and language regarding the effect of comparative negligence on the part of the homeowner if a fire causes loss of personal property.

If tackling an installation for the first time, make sure your project is up to code. Otherwise, failure to maintain a proper fireplace could impair your ability to recover under your policy should a fire result.

Also, determine right away whether you intend to be the installer of the project, or whether you would rather hire out to a contractor the choice of a system, i.e., wood burning, gas heating, or whether you have the skills to do the job yourself.

If this is your first experience with installation of an HVAC system of any kind, figure in the time and effort necessary to get up to speed, and whether you necessarily want your first such project to be the family fireplace. On the other hand, someone who is handy and used to working with systems around the home, whether they be electrical plumbing and the like, might find fireplace installation right up their alley. If you’re a DIY, check with the local authorities, including homeowner associations and city county licensing types to make sure you are installing something that is up to code so that you don’t run into problems later on.

To avoid chimney fires, keep the chimney swept at least once annually. In a wood burning fire place, creosote and soot can combine into a combustible coating that can be lit by a spark and a subsequent chimney fire. The upward air draft inside the chimney supplies oxygen to the fire, so chimney fires spread rapidly. 

That’s why an industrial strength fire extinguisher should part of every decor scheme. Fire extinguishers and other fireplace accessories can be found at toolhq.com.au.

In short, before undertaking an installation or renovation, think about whether you want the fireplace for heat warming or aesthetic purposes. Consider whether you want to do it yourself or contract out the job and make sure the installation is up to code, and covered in your homeowners insurance.

Knowing the answers to these questions in advance will mean a smoother installation and greater enjoyment from your fireplace system.

Jay Preston is Author and Brand Manager at ToolHQ, Australia's premiere source for power tools.

MAY I ALSO SUGGEST THESE IDEAS FOR YOUR FIREPLACE?

• Airtight FireplaceDoors
• Masonry Fireplace Paint
• Majestic Fireplace Doors

Best Rooms For a Fireplace

There is a special feeling you get when entering a room with a fireplace. Many rooms can have one, but what are the best rooms for a fireplace? While fireplaces are most frequently found in the living room, more and more homes have them located in the kitchen or in the bedroom. If you're unsure where to place your fireplace, then try to look at some of the pros and cons of having the fireplace in each place.

The Living Room – Having a fireplace here is great because you can start the fire before friends or family arrive and have the room take on a glow it doesn't normally feature. There's nothing better than watching a movie on the screen over the mantle with a warm fireplace and a bag of popcorn while surrounded by your favorite people. The living room is also a central location in most houses, and the heat can more easily reach other parts of the home.

The Kitchen – While some older kitchens have wood stoves for cooking, others have full-sized fireplaces. Fireplaces in kitchens can definitely add a new dimension to the overall design plans of a kitchen, but one should consider that fireplaces take up a lot of space that could otherwise be used for more counter and cabinet space. With today’s modern conveniences, most homeowners would rather have more space in the kitchen to be used for other purposes.

The Bedroom – Anywhere a fireplace is installed in a home people can benefit from the warms that it produces, but in the bedroom a fireplace can have much more of an impact on the room’s atmosphere than anywhere else. It will certainly add a bit of romance for the alone time with your partner. Having a mantle over the fireplace can be a great place to store personal items for easy access.

Overall, everyone agrees that fireplaces are really cool!  They certainly add a cozy element to your home. Just make absolutely sure that you check your local building codes before you start thinking about adding a fireplace into your home décor plans. You can also consult with a local expert to find out whether a wood or electric fireplace is best for your home.  After that, you can decide which room above you liked the best!

Allison Cooper is a writer and editor for Beyond Stores, a trusted online seller of heavily discounted name brand furniture and home decor accessories like this Jofran Double Drop Leaf Pub Table.  When not working, Allison enjoys knitting, DIY projects, and the company of her two sons Marcus and Noah.

May I also suggest you look at these fine ideas for your fireplace:

Masonry Paint - Brick Color Themes that keeps your brick looking like brick

Wrought Iron Fireplace Doors - A majestic accent to any fireplace

Rustic Mantel - High light your gorgeous fireplace 

Reface A Fireplace In One Afternoon

This project turned out simply beautiful! We tackled it in one afternoon. The step by step instructions were easy to understand, the product arrived super fast and the customer service rep was simply awesome. I thought you may like to see some photos of our fireplace (pictured above) it was a ugly faded red before we had painted it with your product. We are amazed with the results of the outcome, it totally gave the fireplace life and also brightened up the living room. (pictured below)

After we painted the fireplace we then had it converted from a wood burning fireplace to a gas fireplace. Thanks Sharon! I am so glad you loved it and I so appreciate you taking the time to email me the pictures. 

These are the products we used to complete our fireplace refacing:

Twilight Taupe Brick Fireplace Paint Kit

Black Firebox Paint

Brick Fireplace Cleaner

Redecorating Around Your Fireplace

Your fireplace room provides a comfortable gathering place for a quiet evening alone or brunch with friends. With color, texture and accessories, you can decorate the room to include the fireplace without making it the sole design element. When considering decorating ideas, think about how the elements throughout the entire space combines to create an inviting fireplace room.

Start by choosing a focal point. While the fireplace dominates one wall, it need not be the center of attention. You might want to focus attention on the television, picture window or a framed work of art instead.

If your fireplace is the focal point, arrange a sofa or loveseat parallel to that fixture. Comfortable club chairs with ottomans flank the fireplace and create an intimate area of coziness and warmth. Additionally, the ottomans double as additional seating anywhere in the room.

Remember to include plenty of space for drinks or cards on game night. A coffee table in front of the sofa, end tables flanking the sofa or a separate bar area in the back of the room provide needed counter space.

With the furniture arranged, decorate the room according to your preferences and style. Incorporate color, texture and accessories as you create a physically inviting and visually pleasing room. Your first decision involves choosing a color palette. Consider the color of the fireplace then choose complementary colors for accessories.

If you don’t like the color of the fireplace, easily change it with a paint kit. A simple white fireplace is easy to incorporate into any design style when you use bright colored artwork, plants, area rugs and throw pillows. With a brick fireplace, incorporate rustic design elements. Hang canoe oars on the mantle or use wooden candle holders on the bookshelf. A stone fireplace accommodates shades of gray like charcoal, steel or pewter with warm accent colors.

No matter which color palette you choose, mix up the textures in the room to create visual appeal and flow. Soften the rough texture of a stone fireplace with smooth walls and flooring. Balance a smooth fireplace texture with a tiled mantle or a shag rug. Use combinations of textured materials like leather, vinyl, silk, cotton or marble, among others when you’re choosing furniture, hardware, décor and other design elements.

Flooring options make a great place to add texture. Sturdy and functional, flooring options also tie together your overall theme. Choose a floor with easy clean up, especially if you burn wood in your fireplace. Even cheap hardwood flooring makes a great choice because it’s easy to clean and available in a wide variety of colors and shades that match any design. Other flooring options include vinyl flooring, tile or carpeting. If you choose hardwood, add area rugs for color and comfort. For carpeting, consider purchasing a stain resistant finish that repels fireplace dirt.

Like the flooring, other elements of the room will be stationary. Design your room around these elements that may include windows, doors, bookshelves or a mantle. If the window is the focal point, capture attention when you use eye-catching colors for trim or large print in the window coverings. When decorating the mantle, follow the room’s color scheme and theme. Mount the television or a quilt or keep it clean for a simplistic design look.

If the bookshelves or columns are stationary and not the room’s focal point, minimize them if possible. Instead of packing them full of books or collectibles, simply place one or two elements on each shelf. Paint them a color that blends into the background. If the bookshelves are moveable, use them to flank the fireplace. Here, they reinforce the fireplace as the focal point and provide space to display collectibles and other décor elements like artwork, candles or pottery.

Add ambiance to your room by mounting a mirror on the mantle or on the wall that’s opposite of the fireplace. One large or several small mirrors reflect light and create a romantic ambiance.

In your fireplace room, your design preferences rule. Play by traditional home decorating rules or write your own rules. Whatever you choose, make sure the room is comfortable, inviting and ready for guests when you incorporate color, texture and accessories in your fireplace room.

Beautiful and Affordable DIY Fireplace Designs

When it comes to home renovation, you can save a considerable amount of money by taking care of upgrades yourself. If you have the handy skills and the patience for this type of project then there is no limit to the possibilities. There is a seemingly endless supply of Do It Yourself resources out there for adventurous homeowners, like you, that supply great ideas and tips on just about any home improvement project. You can find fantastic inspiration in books at the bookstore or online. Online, there are hundreds of interior design and DIY blogs and sites that offer up a wealth of knowledge. Remember that there is no limit to your imagination; so have fun and get creative. Here are a select few ideas for that fireplace that you keep staring at, but just can’t seem to figure out.

Painting

One great and easy way to take your old fireplace and give it a quick and easy update is to paint the existing bricks. You can choose a color that fits the rest of your home décor or matches the mood you are trying to create in your room. Painting is a nice way to make the fireplace more modern and it only takes a few steps, you could be done in an afternoon.

Take a brick cleaning solution and thoroughly clean the area you wish to paint. Once the area is dry, tape it off protecting the surrounding walls. Use a primer made specifically for painting bricks and prime the area. When the primer is dry, go ahead and give the bricks a coat of paint, making sure to get in all the tiny cracks and cover them thoroughly. After the first coat dries, apply a second coat. When your second coat is dry, you’re done. It’s that simple. Make sure that when you are considering your paint options, you pick a paint that is oil based and will tolerate the heat well.

You can, of course, just as easily paint the mantel as well, changing the whole look of the fireplace completely.

Overlay

Another fantastic way to spruce up your current fireplace and make it a bit more modern is to give it a good old do it yourself facelift. Depending on what style you are going for and what aesthetic you currently have in your home, you can choose wood panels, for a decorative fireplace, tile, marble slabs or any other material that you think might look good. Once you have chosen your material, you can cover the brick with it, giving your fireplace an instant update with your own personal flare. Know that painting bricks is a permanent change and you should be sure of your decision before you begin.

If you choose to use tile, you can use larger tiles and create a nice pattern, or you could use smaller tiles creating a mosaic. Take the finished space and fill the fireplace with candles, creating a warm modern piece of art. This will be an interesting and eclectic conversation piece that you can be proud to show off.


Don’t forget to consider the codes in your area for construction when taking on projects such as these. Especially concerning fireplaces, there may be rules regarding gas lines, or concerns about gas vs wood burning.

Kelli McDonald has loved crafts and interior design ever since she was a little girl. She now works with luxury goods and online furniture deals for LuxeYard.

Operation Fantastic: Den Dramatic

This is my neighbor's fireplace. She has been trying to decide for the last six months what she wanted to do with her awkward fireplace. She wanted to keep her den the same color-wise and she knew she couldn't refurnish the entire room so I pulled out all the Fireplace Makeover's that I have helped transform. It took a while for us to convince her husband but we made a go of it anyway.


As you can see the fireplace brick was covered in soot from the previous years of fireplace use and the brick left a lot to be desired. So, she chose a color (Twilight Taupe) and we decided to try one small brick. We followed the whole procedure, step by step as the kit said and it looked awesome. When we showed her husband he was finally excited and said go for it, so we did. Here are the amazing results.


Since this photo was taken she has since changed her carpet color to a chocolate brown and added new furniture and I am still trying to get her to let me take a picture!!!

Brick Paint Kit - Twilight Taupe
Black Firebox Paint
Brick Fireplace Cleaner
Economical Fireplace Glass Doors