Painting a fireplace is a great, cheap way to update your space! If you are like me, and have a small living room, a bright, white fireplace can make it seem a little bigger. I went back and forth on whether I should whitewash it or paint it, and I decided that painting it would be a timeless change, while whitewashing might only be popular while the shabby-chic look is in. I'm not trying to date my house more than it already is! Here are some "before" pictures of the space:
1. First, you need to clean the area. Put plastic down and tape around the brick. You don't want to ruin your floors! The best way to rid the brick of soot and debris, is to use a Boric Acid and water mixture and apply it with a wire brush. This will get messy! You can buy the Boric Acid HERE!
2. After scrubbing the brick, rinse and wipe it down with a wet cloth.
3. Let it dry completely.
4. Prime the brick with an exterior primer. I did not use a specific heat-resistant primer or paint, because the bricks on my fireplace don't heat up when I have a fire going. I used Kilz primer, which is the primer I always use for projects. I am a fan!
5. Paint the brick. Give it at least two coats for superior coverage. I used Sherwin Williams' Alabaster in a satin finish to match the shiplap in the dining room. I'm not a fan of shiny sheens, so I usually buy satin finishes so they are easy to clean and not too shiny.
Ta-da! Now this fireplace against my light gray walls (Behr Double Click), is a beautiful centerpiece for the room! Don't mind me, just watching a Harry Potter marathon! :)
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