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February 8, 2011 by: Megan

Just a can of white paint…

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Ok, well maybe a can of primer and a can of paint…and some leftover blue wall paint from the kitchen. That’s all it took to transform our living room.  I absolutely love how it turned out. I’ve been wanting to paint our fireplace since we moved into our house a little over 1 1/2 years ago.  Get ready for some amazing before and after shots!
To be super dramatic, this is what the living room looked like when we bought the house:
BEFORE
Lovely dark wood paneling everywhere and really nasty carpet.
Then, we painted the walls and wood. The sellers put in hardwood floors…
A huge improvement! This is how it has looked for the past 1 1/2 years.  
Then, after looking for a bigger area rug for that long, I found this one for super cheap:
So, we added the rug which really helped…but I still haven’t liked the brick fireplace and ugly brass and black fireplace screen…
It took some convincing, but finally Reid was on board with the idea. Don’t get me wrong, I do love exposed brick in some settings…but not here.
I also had the idea of using some leftover soft aqua paint from our kitchen to paint the backs of the shelves. I figured it would make the objects pop…
Ok, get ready…

AFTER
Ta Da!!
It makes the room feel so much brighter, airy and modern!
It really only took one coat of primer and one coat of paint.
And the larger area rug makes a world of difference.
The most annoying part of the process was painting in between each brick with a brush before rolling on the paint.  If you attempt this, use an old brush that you don’t care about because it will be destroyed by the end.
 
I had fun rearranging some objects and adding in a lot of white things to showcase them against the now blue backs of the shelves. (recognize that owl?)
I even spray painted some old picture frames white to keep everything bright.
The fireplace screen needed a few more extra coats of paint. It’s not as smooth as I’d like it to be, but you don’t really notice unless you are up close. Maybe we will eventually get a new one, but this does the trick for now.
We just had to use a razor to scrape the excess paint off the windows.
So, if you have brick you don’t like, go paint it! It’s a little gutsy, but totally worth it. 
To recap the project…
BEFORE:
AFTER:
* I just used regular latex paint and primer for this project and it has held up perfectly so far!

Next, we will tackle those beams…and hopefully paint the ceiling fan.. But, that will require a very high ladder and some upper body strength. 🙂
Has anyone else had brick painting success?

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Comments

  1. 1

    Carla says

    February 8, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    All I can say is "Wowsers"!!!!! It looks fabulous, Megan.

    Reply
  2. 2

    Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    February 8, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    that looks amazing!!!! i love painted brick, and the whole room is just gorgeous- the painted brick makes those gorgeous beams pop even more… love it! great job!

    Reply
  3. 3

    Metlife says

    February 8, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    Right up there with Young House Love. Really it looks amazing!!

    Reply
  4. 4

    MCH PHOTOGRAPHY says

    February 8, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    New to your blog! Love the redo. The aqua on the shelves really looks good with the rug. Love it.

    Reply
  5. 5

    A Pretty Life in the Suburbs says

    February 8, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    Stunning! Really, really incredible change!
    Jo-Anna

    Reply
  6. 6

    Paula says

    February 8, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    This is quite the transformation! I am very impressed with your end result!

    Reply
  7. 7

    kodie says

    February 8, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    Haven just said "that's Aunt Meggie's fireplace! it looks much more prettier!" she obviously has good taste. :o) good job Megan!!

    Reply
  8. 8

    Heather In Progress says

    February 9, 2011 at 1:09 am

    I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!! It looked great in the in-between pictures, but it looks AWESOME now. It should be in a magazine.

    Reply
  9. 9

    KellyH says

    February 9, 2011 at 2:08 am

    WOW!! Beautiful transformation!

    Reply
  10. 10

    Jennifer says

    February 9, 2011 at 3:03 am

    Oh my! I love it!

    Reply
  11. 11

    kimbrlymay says

    February 9, 2011 at 4:17 am

    oh my gosh megan!!! that is incredible. like the coolest thing I've ever seen.

    Reply
  12. 12

    ke says

    February 9, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    you did it & it looks great. i love the blue background on the shelves, too. love love love it. so fresh & modern!

    Reply
  13. 13

    Inspired by you says

    February 9, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    What a great impact the white makes! Love the makeover!

    Reply
  14. 14

    the cape on the corner says

    February 11, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    so flippin' fantastic! looks like a comPLETEly different space-you must be thrilled!

    Reply
  15. 15

    Lolly Jane says

    February 12, 2011 at 6:34 am

    HOLY SMOKES what a change!! way to GO!! love it!

    saw your link up on tatortots & jello btw. super cute!

    Reply
  16. 16

    Heather@The Black's Best says

    February 13, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    The before and after is shocking…in a good way! This is beautiful and lightens and brightens the space so much. Isn't it amazing what some paint can do?

    Reply
  17. 17

    HannahM says

    February 14, 2011 at 1:25 am

    Hi Megan, Found your blog through a mutual friend! Love your many quilt projects {with you mom} and decor ideas! Love, love, love your new fireplace!! Great job! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  18. 18

    Jeannetta says

    February 14, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    WOW! I hadn't even NOTICED the built in bookshelves before! Well done!

    Reply
  19. 19

    Beth@The Stories of A2Z says

    February 16, 2011 at 3:24 am

    This looks gorgeous!

    Reply
  20. 20

    Jaimie says

    February 16, 2011 at 3:29 am

    Seriously amazing. That takes some guts! I would be too afraid to do it myself, but you just inspired me so much! (Not that I have a fireplace or brick anywhere…yet). Love your blog!

    Reply
  21. 21

    Connie says

    February 16, 2011 at 10:01 am

    What an amazing transformation. It made such a drastic difference. Now you have me wanting to get my white paint out to brighten up my rooms.
    Beautiful!

    Reply
  22. 22

    Pudel-design says

    February 17, 2011 at 11:13 pm

    That is really impressing what white paint can change;)
    Love this effect every time.
    Lovely greetings…

    http://pudel-design.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  23. 23

    Melissa at HOUSEography says

    February 17, 2011 at 11:35 pm

    That is an amazing "power of paint" reveal. Great work!!!!

    Reply
  24. 24

    Allison says

    February 18, 2011 at 12:24 am

    Your fireplace looks AMAZING! My husband and I are in the process of buying a house and the brick fireplace desperately needs to be painted. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation! 🙂

    Reply
  25. 25

    Meredith @ Welcome to Heardmont says

    February 18, 2011 at 4:16 am

    What a makeover! We're right there with ya with the painted brick – we had an almost identical fireplace we painted white too – it's amazing what a little paint will do. Anyway, LOVE how your fp turned out and that rug is beautiful! Great job. 🙂

    Reply
  26. 26

    Madigan at madiganmade says

    February 18, 2011 at 11:39 am

    I am lovin' this! Just stunning in white! And I love the pops of yellow and green with the blue. Very fresh and lovely!

    Reply
  27. 27

    Mallory says

    February 18, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    WOW! Great job! Looks so bright and airy now. Love the colors! New follower 🙂

    Reply
  28. 28

    Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top says

    February 18, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    Wow! What an amazing change! I love it! I have painted brick on my fireplace. It was already painted white when I repainted it but it was still a bear getting in those cracks so I know what you mean. I love the way you've accessorized. Very pretty. And the rug is FABULOUS!

    Reply
  29. 29

    kimberly @ craftyland says

    February 18, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    the ladies above said it all – that's fantastic! what kind of primer/paint did you use? i painted our fireplace surround (the brassy bits) a while back but i used heat safe enamel which was a PAIN!!
    you've got me eyeing our brick fireplace now. brilliant job 🙂

    Reply
  30. 30

    Amber Castleberry says

    February 19, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Amazing transformation! What color blue is that? I "need" it!!!

    Reply
  31. 31

    {the.sassy.wife} says

    February 20, 2011 at 11:20 pm

    i showed this to my husband. he was floored!!! now i can't wait to tackle my home decor ideas. thanks!!

    Reply
  32. 32

    I♥naptime w/ Chocolate Sundaes says

    February 21, 2011 at 12:38 am

    BEAUTIFUL!!!

    Reply
  33. 33

    Suzin says

    February 21, 2011 at 12:51 am

    Looks so fresh,lite with a cottage feel to it! Your rug is soooo groovy, a suggestion tho … move your furniture away from the walls into your room so rug doesn't look like a dance floor.

    Reply
  34. 34

    elaine says

    February 21, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    I love it!! We are thinking of moving in the near(ish) future and now I see possibilities even if I don't love the fireplace. Yay! Question for you…did you just use latex paint for both the fireplace brick and the screen?

    Reply
  35. 35

    megan @ homemade ginger says

    February 21, 2011 at 11:15 pm

    Yes, we did just use regular latex paint and primer for everything. However, there is actually another inner screen that you can't really see in the pictures, so the outside screen that we painted doesn't get hot. But if you use your fireplace a lot and the screen gets hot, you might consider using heat resistant paint for that part.

    And thanks for the tip, Suzin, but we are actually going to add a large ottoman/coffee table. Plus, we really like the open feel of the room! 🙂

    Reply
  36. 36

    Penne says

    March 3, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    Absolutely incredible what a coat of paint can do! I love the transformation from dark to light and cheerful!

    Reply
  37. 37

    Anonymous says

    June 5, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    It looks great! I know you linked to where you got the rug, but it isnt available anymore. Is there a "name" for it that I can search it elsewhere?

    Reply
  38. 38

    dieadjustormigrate says

    August 26, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    Wow! Absolutely beautiful! I like exposed brick, too, but you were so right to go with your gut and paint it white. Well done! And I love, love, love the carpet you picked out.

    Reply
  39. 39

    Anonymous says

    August 27, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    The brick looked WAY better before.

    Reply
  40. 40

    Cindy says

    September 29, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    Amazing transformation, love it!

    Reply
  41. 41

    Kristina Jones says

    October 1, 2011 at 2:59 am

    wow, what a beautiful transformation! I love all the soft colors, some of my favorites. Great job!

    Reply
  42. 42

    Anonymous says

    December 18, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    Fabulous! I kept looking at it, thinking, "I love it! Why does it look so familiar?" Then I realized it is super similar to my den (that I am sitting in right now!) Yours definitely has better architecture (ceilings and built-ins) but I just finished mine with almost the same wall color – just a little lighter. A white painted brick fireplace, and light blue drapes on the 2 windows that flank my fireplace. It really tickled me to see your room!
    Heidi

    Reply
  43. 43

    Anonymous says

    January 29, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    Love it! I have the EXACT same fireplace and want to do something with it but havent known just what to do and was nervous to paint it. Now I am going to paint it for sure! Great job!

    Reply
  44. 44

    Samion Eric says

    October 19, 2013 at 7:09 am

    shaz

    Reply
  45. 45

    Alina John says

    October 21, 2013 at 11:35 am

    Its looking gorgeous you have changed the map of the house woww amazing job!!
    fairfax painter

    Reply
  46. 46

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  48. 48

    Micheal Hussey says

    March 21, 2014 at 7:46 am

    I have spent a lot of the time in different blogs but this is really a unique blog for me.
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    Reply
  49. 49

    zacharyrizzuto says

    July 8, 2014 at 5:42 am

    Inconceivable points. Sound arguments. Keep going the truly amazing work.Medical Negligence Solicitors

    Reply
  50. 50

    Katie M says

    August 23, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    This is EXACTLY what I have been looking for. My husband and I are about to close on a house with cedar walls and red brick fireplace just like this that was making me very skeptical about the sale. Now my mind is completely at ease! This is fabulous!

    Reply
    • 51

      MeganMegan says

      August 24, 2015 at 9:44 am

      I’m sure it will look great! Good luck!

      Reply
  51. 52

    mary says

    October 22, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    this is absolutely beautiful!! this is what i want to do to mine. thanks for the confidence!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Transformation Tuesday: Fireplaces | Philadelphia Tri-County Real Estate :: The Griesser LaPierre Team - Keller Williams Main Line Realty says:
    September 15, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    […] After: Beautiful & Bright – achieved with paint, paint and more paint!  More information… […]

    Reply

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