What to do with maroon brick fireplace?

10 years ago

I thought about painting this brick fireplace, but I'm wondering if there are other options. Anyone have an idea.

I'm planning on painting the walls Kendall Charcoal ( Benjamin Moore) if that helps.

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dclostboy

10 years ago

Have to share my before and after, as it's very similar. I love the 20' wall of stone.

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Comments (32)

PRO
HERE Design and Architecture
10 years ago
I think the brick is nice. Especially if you are planning to paint the walls grey, I would consider removing the hearth extension surfacing and replacing it with concrete or another similarly grey and simple surface, and changing the fireplace enclosure for a black one.
lindseylulu00
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for your advice. Why do you think I should remove the hearth?
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Get your vacuum out, put the upholstery brush on the end of your wand - and vacuum it. BTW - Brick doesn't fade. This is a fireplace that was never originally intended to be seen and was covered by plasterwork and a stone or wooden mantelpiece... ...so as a result, the old plaster is still in the pores of the clay brick giving it that aged appearance.
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OK then I think you might have to work asymmetrically. Instead of many cupboard doors, over your boiler, have one door placed over it with a push in push out system to open it. This will create a smooth "wall" - paint this and the wall above the brick area cream and the brick below grey.I would then change the cabinet on the other side so that you use cream with a grey counter and even grey shelves...Could this work better?More photos would certainly help? Where is your chalet?
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PRO
HERE Design and Architecture
10 years ago
I just don't think it has much of a relationship with the finish of the brick or your implements. It is white-ish and shiny, which makes the brick look dark and heavy by contrast. With a darker, simpler, more matte-finished hearth, the bricks will look warmer and the pattern more delicate. I have a project where we used 2' square concrete garden pavers to make a hearth extension. We used a somewhat glossy finish in that project:
HERE Design and Architecture Ojai House - Living Area · More Info
victorianbungalowranch
10 years ago
You could look at comments at https://www.houzz.com/discussions/family-room-makeover-help-please-dsvw-vd~735130 and search for similar discussions.

I don't mind the brass and I just read that brushed and antique brass, not the shiny stuff, is making a comeback. It has a mellow patina. I think the cap is fine and I like the rusticated edge.
lindseylulu00
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks HERE. I'm having trouble picturing what you linked in my house. We just bought this place and basically gutted it. I was hoping to do something easy with this 1960s gem of a fireplace, but tearing out the hearth is a lot.
PRO
HERE Design and Architecture
10 years ago
The pic was just to show you the hearth extension surface - it's dark and simple and was easy and inexpensive. Yours is a nice fireplace and I am fairly certain that that piece of stone is not original to it. Looks like a late '80's addition to me.
Cara Dunham
10 years ago
I would say paint the brass black and a white mantel. It's classic and clean. It also adds character to warm up the space.
User
10 years ago
The room looks contemporary. Would remove brass screen or paint it black and paint the brick a darker gray. Will look fine with the hearth. If you decide to dress the fireplace with a picture/ art, I think it will take away from the heavy brick look. As it is, looks more like a brick wall than a fireplace.
Cara Dunham
10 years ago
Plus, you can do a very light whitewash on some of the bricks to break up the maroon if it's still an issue for you. This way you're not fully painting the brick and it's a super light wash on the ones that you pick.
PRO
Color Craftsmen: Fireplace Makeovers
10 years ago
Interesting discussion! Here are some more thoughts:
- The slab on top of the brick hearth does look out of place. It could be removed while leaving the original brick in place. (You will likely need to remove some glue)
- You could alter the look of the brick with either a wash or with paint. (Dilute latex paint with water to make a wash; experiment with amount of water). After first coat of wash or paint you could come back with alternate shades sponged on to individual bricks.
- You could have the brick covered with an engineered cement to create whatever look you like: slab, alternate brick, stone. (Some engineered cements can be carved to create the look of stone, etc.)
dclostboy
10 years ago
Regarding the slab...my slate hearth was fully integrated into the chimney...had to work around it.
lindseylulu00
Original Author
10 years ago
Dclostboy: what did you do with your brick?
dclostboy
10 years ago
It's a chipped granite veneer system that was applied directly on top of brick. Also removed doors and cut keyhole opening to larger rectangle. Finished it off with honed marble tiles. And, yes, I do use it...birch is just the summer dressing :)
PRO
Kathryn Peltier Design
10 years ago
If you want to change the brick or the hearth cap color, look into masonry stains. The brick is nice and simple - don't paint it. The stain would just change the color while still allowing the brick texture to show. I would imagine the cap could be stained, too (though could it be sealed?) I actually like the brick, but I do think the cap is too light in comparison. Here is an example: http://retrorenovation.com/2012/03/27/instead-of-cleaning-or-painting-brick-stain-your-brick-fireplace-with-concrete-stain/
User
10 years ago
Absolutely beautiful dclostboy! I love a good brick fireplace and am drawn to more traditional elements in a room, but your fireplace make over is stunning! I love the painted ceiling and darker beams too!
Lindseylulu00, dclostboy fireplace works beautifully for me because it sets the tone for the entire room. What does the rest of your room look like? The Kendal charcoal sounds lovely, but are you looking for a more contemporary look over all?
dclostboy
10 years ago
@margaret b, thank you for your kind comments. Ceiling needed to be brightened and competed too much with the newly installed hardwood floors. Walls were cooled down with a subtle gray paint, as the entire wall opposite the fireplace is glass.

Lindseylulu00, even though focused on fireplace as the element you dislike most, have to consider the room as a whole...like mine, each of the pieces may interact.
lindseylulu00
Original Author
10 years ago
@Margaret and Dclostboy

The room has no flooring yet( just ripped out). I've attached a picture of the tile that we chose. There are no other elements in the room like that fireplace. It is certainly meant to be the focus. My home overall is definitely more modern than this fireplace, but I have incorporated some rustic and vintage pieces. Our hardwood has a matte finish and is throughout most of the house.I used Kendall Charcoal in my bedroom, and I liked it so much that I want it in my living room.
User
10 years ago
Dclostboy I am just in awe of your room! So well done and a cohesive look throughout the entire room without looking contrived. Thank you for sharing your home with us.
claire8810
10 years ago
Paint it a brown or beige color or even grey. I would add a mantle and just make sure the mantle always has something on it.
dclostboy
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Lindseylulu, I put this black slate tile on laundry room floor, but might make bold, modern statement on fireplace in different form factor than floor tile. I found it fairly inexpensive and really like with the darker grout lines.

Just to be sure, your tile choice is going on floor, right?
lindseylulu00
Original Author
10 years ago
Dclostboy the tile choice is for the floor.
dclostboy
10 years ago
I think a 4x4 or 8x8 in black slate for fireplace would look good. Think you want some consistency with little color variation.
dclostboy
10 years ago
Also google on stone veneers...with right mastic / mortar, many can be applied directly to brick.
lindseylulu00
Original Author
10 years ago
I just inspected the cap; it is cement with a paint on it. The previous owner also roughed the edges it make it look like slate.
medeml
10 years ago
Painting your walls will make a world of difference
PRO
Frank Sorrentino's steel artistry
10 years ago
Replacing the fireplace doors, it will make a great change on the entire look,....I have been building firescreens for years, (WWW.SteelArtistry.com) and if you look at my web site, filled with hundred of photos, ...IT WILL SPARK SOME INTEREST IN YOU.
PRO
Kathryn Peltier Design
10 years ago
lindseylulu: I would think you could strip the paint off of the cap. If not, how about capping the cap lol with slate?
PRO
Color Craftsmen: Fireplace Makeovers
10 years ago
You certainly received a lot of comments on this thread lindseylulu00. Have you chosen a direction?
lindseylulu00
Original Author
10 years ago
I might paint the room first and then decide. I'm researching options for the cap.
PRO
Color Craftsmen: Fireplace Makeovers
10 years ago
It's a good idea to paint the room first. Since the slab on your hearth is concrete you can either strip the clear finish from it and then stain it, or paint over it without stripping. (Use a primer that will stick to slick surfaces) If you want, you could make the painted slab look like stone. For example, you could apply a variety of similar colors with a sea sponge; just barely touching the tips of the sponge on the surface. This approach will yield a granite look. There are other techniques you could try to achieve the look of other kinds of stone. You could search for others online.
PRO
Comwest Construction
10 years ago
They have stain for brick to make them different color Google Brick stain and you can find a local supplier.

What to do with maroon brick fireplace?

dclostboy

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