New Year, New Home, New Projects: Fireplace Makeover

I still haven't posted pictures of the kitchen remodel up because we still have one project to complete, which is more than a day job.  Soon, I hope!

I have been busy in the meantime with doing other projects.  I like to research (and by research I mean consulting pinterest) my projects before I start them.  I am very methodical when it comes to finding exactly what I want and what I think looks good, and this part takes me awhile.  But the execution of the projects seems to be somewhat impulsive.  I knew I wanted to do something with the fireplace and I had an idea in mind of what I wanted, which was a whitewash effect on the brick.  I don't really think I'd like the look of painted brick and I thought whitewashing might be a middle ground.  I like being able to still see brick - but I'd prefer it not to be so red.  One night I just jumped in and did it - I didn't have many good before pics, but I think I found a few.

So this is the before picture of the fireplace.  This was the listing picture when we bought the house (not our furniture and decor). 

The brick itself wasn't too bad, but I didn't love it.

I started by one night (after the girls were in bed so no fumes would be breathed in) by painting the brass around the doors on the fireplace.  I used Rutoleum High Heat spray paint.  Taping it off took more time than actually spraying two coats of this stuff.

 A few nights after that, I decided I was finally ready to try the whitewashing, even though I was still a little hesitant about it. I actually used a light gray/beige paint that I already had a mixed it with water.  I did about 1 part paint to 4-5 parts water.  It was very drippy, but I started by applying it with a brush and then wiping it off after a couple seconds.  The brick is pretty porous and absorbs a lot.  We also did the mortar. The whole thing probably took a half hour.  I had 2 little helpers, who liked to paint it on.  It was pretty messy because it's so watery, but we did a good job avoiding getting it on the carpet.

 

 Halfway in 

This was the immediate after.  I liked it - was subtle, but I couldn't really see it at night.  I decided that I needed to see it in natural light.

I also painted all the trim white in the room and painted the walls.  finally got a chance to see it a few days later in daylight (lots of late work nights and getting home after dark kept me that from happening until the weekend).  I found some good decor for the mantle and with everything put together - the whitewashing, the wall color (Glidden - Fossil Gray), painted trim and crown moulding I have decided I love it.

and the before and after!  

I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  Very subtle.  Just brightens up the space a little.  On to more projects!!