Can you believe it? The same fireplace in in both these pictures, and no structural changes were made… just a little bit of paint and fabric… and elbow grease.
Yes, this is what they started out with:
A dull red brick fireplace with a brassy insert.
I do believe the brick and the built-in cabinets flanking each side of the fireplace are original to this antique bungalow, however, the brassy gold fireplace insert is not. I would guess it dates to the early 70’s.
But our young couple is on a budget, so to speak, and as the fireplace door seemed to work just fine, they just were brassy ugly.
So she painted them with high heat black paint! (see links below for sources for paint and the best primer to use on brick like this!)
And while she was in the painting mood…
When she finished the doors, she painted the brick too! Using a tone on tone approach, the brick brackets and vertical base she did in a slightly darker shade of the main brick part.
Then to have real storage inside the glass cabinets and avoid having to do some cosmetic carpentry repair if left with just the see-through glass doors, she covered the inside of the glass doors with fabric.
The color is perfect for their selected palette in their home, and the pattern is exactly what could have been seen when this antique bungalow was first built almost a century ago.
The brick hearth was left in its original condition to reveal its wonderful color and texture and impressed trademarks.
Shopping Links:
Here are more ideas for fireplace facelifts and wall treatments:
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Charlotte Holland says
LOVE the painted brick fireplace ! Years ago, I FINALLY convinced my reluctant hubby to let me paint the ugly tan brick a crisp clean white instead . . . and when the room was finally finished, he had to admit that painting the brick made the biggest overall difference in how the room looked (The overall structure was VERY similar to what is pictured here.)
This one looks awesome !
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
What a fabulous transformation. I love it. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
thejennyevolution says
Visiting from Monday Funday. I’d like to invite you to my Friday Flash Blog, where you can share your best blog entry of the week! The party goes on ALL weekend at thejennyevolution.com. And who knows, you may just get featured next week.
Jennifer
thejennyevolution.com
sometimes-homemade says
This is a really nice update! I’m trying to decide what to do with my fireplace. First up, get rid of the brassy grate using high heat black paint. What a difference even just that changes makes!
Visiting from DIY Showoff
trishflake says
Such an amazing transformation Little Bit! Thanks for sharing at Monday Funday!
Take care,
Trish
jamieerin13j says
Love it…talent, beauty and aesthetically right on! Whats the wall color…love it, if you wouldn’t mind sharing?
Mo says
Love the re-do!
Help! Can anyone read the words under the new horse picture? This is what I can make out…
“Do you give the horse its strength (out, our?) (cloths%?) its neck with mane?
(ot?) paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength, it laughs at fear, afraid of nothing.”
It doesn’t quite make sense as I read it.
Mo says
Thank you so much for taking your time to answer my question. It is a lovely verse and I plan to use it in my “Derby Room” which is filled with horse memorabilia, including a headboard made from a horse stall door. Thanks again!
Melinda Smith says
Simply gorgeous! This wall already has so much character and dimension. However, the painted fireplace and the fabric really make the lovely woodwork pop. Love it!
Donnamae says
That couple has excellent taste…they’ve given the fireplace a real esthetic! 😉