Brick Ideas from AT

Here are the images I mentioned. Both are from Apartment Therapy...

Gray painted brick: I don't usually say "swoon". Just not a word in my working vocabulary. But, if I did say it, this would be a worthy photo for the expression.


Limed/whitewashed brick: Okay, maybe it's in my vocabulary now.

Swoon.

So. Which is your favorite?

Again With Family Room Brick

A while back, I asked for feedback concerning the idea of painting our family room brick white. I think I want to do it - I've almost decided for sure. The paneling all around the rest of the room is going to be white, though, and the upper portion of those walls will be the same shade of white. I had also sort of had it in my head that the sofa would be white (although, that's not set in stone). So, my only concern about painting the brick white, is that then we'll wind up with too much white in that room. But, as much as I try to get around it, the brick isn't a very attractive color. Hmmm. What to do?

Back in December, we decided we really needed to get some more seating down in the family room. When friends and family came over, we were all crowding into the living room. IKEA's "Tullsta" chairs are super cheap, and we figured getting them in white might give us a good visual for white with the brick while giving guests more room at the same time.



The brick is still too orange, but the contrast of the darker brick and the white chair is nice.



So, I'm wondering, what about painting the brick like a medium gray tone? Darker and grayer than the greige carpet, but light enough that I can leave the mantel wood alone and still have it looking right. Remember that we plan to spray paint that brassy fireplace screen/grill black with high-heat spray paint, too. Whatcha think?

With other projects lined up ahead of this one, we're talking September at the earliest for painting the brick, but it never hurts to think things through. Several readers (including my mom - Hi, Mom!) recommended painting the paneling and walls first and then deciding on the brick. I think that sounds very smart and we'll likely follow that plan. Still, I'm trying to picture gray brick in my mind's eye.

Thoughts?

Should We Paint the Brick?

It wasn't very long ago that I announced I was fairly certain we were not going to paint our brick fireplace wall in the family room. Note to self - don't make public announcements like that.

I had a few examples of rooms where the brick was left untouched, and it sure seemed the safer route to me.



But, the brick in those photos was generally more aesthetically pleasing than ours, and besides, safer isn't always better...



... and painted brick can really be lovely...



... especially, white painted brick...



... there's a good chance I would really love the look of our brick painted white...



... but, then again I might not. But then again, again, I don't think I'd like it any less than I do right now. So, what do I have to lose? It's not like I'm messing around with something that I already love.



What do you think? Picture the paneling and walls painted white and the fireplace surround black. Kind of like wrought iron-ish black. Picture our long, white IKEA curtains. Would you paint the brick? White? What finish?





please click on the photos to see source credits in the address bar - thanks!