To Paint or Not to Paint: Exposed Brick Interiors
Should you leave brick well alone or paint it over in white? We'll help you decide whether it's a sin or a solution
Brian Patrick Flynn
26 June 2014
I'm a home makeover TV show producer, interior designer and the creator of Decor Demon, lifestyle editorial with an edge. http://www.decordemon.com
I'm a home makeover TV show producer, interior designer and the creator of Decor... More
While house-hunting for the perfect Mid-century Modern house, I’d get super stoked at the idea of rushing into my new home and letting those interior brick walls have it. The plan included litres and litres of flat white paint, me sporting overalls and a roller on an extender pole.
Although I did, indeed, paint my interior brick snow white, my uber-opinionated friends had many a choice word with me about its painted update. So what exactly is the rule? When is it cool to paint brick and when is it a crime? Here are a few examples of interior brick best left raw and another few best slathered with pigment.
Although I did, indeed, paint my interior brick snow white, my uber-opinionated friends had many a choice word with me about its painted update. So what exactly is the rule? When is it cool to paint brick and when is it a crime? Here are a few examples of interior brick best left raw and another few best slathered with pigment.
Leave it: This stunning room is the perfect example of brick considered sinful to paint. Grey-toned brick is a favourite for designers because it often serves as a springboard for sophisticated palettes. Keep in mind that grey brick is pretty much always worth leaving untouched.
Leave it or paint it: Red brick is the grey area of the brick world. While grey brick is neutral, red is limiting when it comes to styles and colour schemes. For homeowners more into texture than colour, red brick can be worked with by keeping adjoining walls white, then going minimal with decor. If you’re like me and you love a tight palette, it’s wise to paint red brick a light colour that works well with your other choices. This space is the perfect example of untouched red brick done right.
Paint it: Heavy brick in a space with limited light creates a man cave. Painting the brick white immediately makes the space brighter.
Paint it: In a space like this with to-die-for beams, a brown or red brick fireplace can detract from the stunning craftsmanship above. Going with the same white as the walls allows the texture to sing without disrupting the soothing flow of the space.
Leave it: Rustic, textured brick floors are your friend, especially in a mud room or entryway. Why? They pretty much hide almost all dirt. Paint these babies white and say hello to a lifetime of ultra-dirty floors.
Paint it: When a low brick fireplace lacks any other element of architectural detail, paint it white and let the actual fire do the talking.
Paint it: Super dark brick hallways, unless made of grey brick, can often seem The Silence Of The Lambs-ish. Unless you’re willing to invest in UH-MAY-ZING lighting and fine art, paint dark brick hallways white to liven up the space, and allow yourself to create a bold palette such as black and white.
Paint it: Brick spaces made for kids and play can be made much friendlier for little ones with white paint and bold, colourful furniture and accessories.
Paint it: A renovated house updated for a more contemporary look can still hold dated elements if dark or dated brick isn’t addressed. In this case, a simple white update erases the idea that this brick wall ain’t a ‘new’ part of the home’s new look.
MORE
Exposed: Bricks in All Their Glory…Inside the Home
To Paint or Not to Paint? That is the Floorboard Question
Brush Up on Paint: Know Your Matts From Your Glosses
MORE
Exposed: Bricks in All Their Glory…Inside the Home
To Paint or Not to Paint? That is the Floorboard Question
Brush Up on Paint: Know Your Matts From Your Glosses
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My whitewashed fireplace photo seems to have disappeared. So many have commented, I thought I'd repost. The before photo can be seen attached to my post of 9/17/15. Here is the after, with painted walls and beams. Fireplace and mantle were whitewashed as described in earlier posts. I think I originally got the idea from the 90's home dec show, "Home" with Lynette Jennings. If you google Lynette Jennings Home whitewash fireplace brick, you's get a few hits from bloggers. Or search youtube, and you'll find many examples of the process.
Oops! I need to proofread better!
Thanks for sharing. Great article!