Chalk-Acrylic Painted Fireplace Brick
Updated photo 2015
Well I’m as happy as can be! I have whined and complained for 5 years about the 1970’s brick fireplace in our den. Now that we have learned that Shabby Paints has no limits it was time to make my fireplace a feature, not the dreaded “please don’t look at it” eyesore.
With the help of my crazy friend Danica we picked up some loose bricks on the side of the road to practice on. Painted one with latex paint and it needed 3 coats. I primed one then painted over with the same latex paint and it looked okay but still a two to three step process. Then I painted one with Shabby Chalk-Acrylic Paint in Ice, covered great but was too light and then I did one in Garfield Grey and it was a touch too dark. My final color choice was Garfield Grey with a touch of Ice to lighten.
My brick has some weird design in it so the coverage for it was harder to get than my roadside sample bricks. I didn’t want the thick coat of paint look like most fireplace makeovers have. I wanted to have a hint of the bricks texture to come out. Brick isn’t naturally shiny or glossy so I wanted the same dry rough look that brick gives. If you wanted more coverage just do the first coat where you push the brush into each crevice with pressure so you fill every spot. Then do a second thicker coat after it dries so you can get that look. I could still change my mind on that…I am a woman and I am allowed! 🙂
The only prep work was using a broom to sweep any dust or loose brick pieces off. It took me about 3.5 hours to paint the brick if you take away the stopping for laundry and to let the dogs in and out every 10 minutes. I mixed 3 quarts of paint and still have 2 quarts left. I just assumed it would soak it up and I would even possibly need more. Wow that is only around $29.99 for this makeover. If I would have done the primer and then the latex paint I’m looking at even more and an extra step. If you do the second coat add at least a half quart. Use a brush that you don’t mind tossing because brick is rough on brushes and your wrist.
Break down:
Paint under $29.99 depending on how much brick you have, and coverage you want.
Brush $1.00 for a 3 pack at The Dollar Tree. (update they are now $1.00 for a 2 pack):
Time 3.5 hours for one coat.
Chalk Paint Brick Fireplace Makeover $30.99
Wow!
Would you plesse share your recipe for making the chalk paint since I just found you?…..oe are you selling it?
Debbie, Sorry I’d better keep that a secret 🙂 There are tons of ways to make your own chalk type paints. Be Careful of what your are using. Know the warnings. Plaster of Paris should only be mixed while wearing a mask. Unsanded grout the same because it contains Silica. They are hit and miss if they will work long term..and might still require priming or sanding first. We use a 100% non toxic, zero VOC, Acrylic paint. We use high quality resins, natural pigments…all made in the USA. If you decide to buy instead of make your own..just another little plus to our paint is our quarts are only 29.99 🙂
Could you tell me what color you did to paint this print is love to paint my brick his color too. And my mantle. And where can I get this paint at??
Alisha, check out our Stylist locator map for the nearest location, if you don’t have a stylist in driving distance look for the nearest Shopping cart icon for a stylist with an online store. https://shabbypaints.com/shabby-paintsretailers/
Did you seal the painted brick with anything?
Mallorie, I didn’t, just painted it. 🙂
Looks great!! I just watched a Property Brothers where they antiqued an ugly fireplace with white paint then he distressed it and I thought “yeah I’m gonna do that!” Yours looks awesome!! What a difference it makes to the room? You’d never think it was the same room!!
Thanks Mari. I love that show 🙂 It was so easy painting brick..can’t wait until I can paint the brick on the house..it is an ugly brown. 😉
I would love to know where you got the fireplace cover! Beautiful job!!!!!
I got it at goodwill for under 10.00, it was brass eek 🙂 Painted it with White Ice..now I love it 🙂
Wow!!! Looks beautiful!!! I have that same fireplace, and I am not a fan!! Need to work up the nerve to do that.
Thank you 🙂 That was the hardest part for me..actually putting the brush to it. Now I can’t wait to paint the brick on out house. 🙂
This may sound like a silly question but I was wondering if you actually use the fireplace for fires and not just decor? I would love to paint my brick fireplace using your paint and I want to make sure it is safe when we build a fire. Thank you.
It is completely safe and I used it all the time 🙂 Our paint is non combustible and non toxic.
I am confused about the amount of paint and the cost of this beautiful fireplace makeover. It says it took only 3 quarts of paint and was approximately 29.99 but your paint is 29.99 a quart. Please can you explain this to me. It looks perfect for a project I have in mind but I can’t afford to spend around 90.00 to paint my huge antique chiffarobe.
Sally what I said was ” I mixed 3 quarts of paint and still have 2 quarts left” so It only took 1 quart of paint to paint all the brick. With that said brick is very porous and will soak in more paint than a typical wood chifferobe. Not sure where you got that it would take 90.00. A quart of Shabby Paints covers 150+ sq. feet. that is only 29.99.
Thanks,
Shannon
Thank you Shannon for your quick response. Now I need to decide on a color. Which of your blues is the closest to the blue of antique ball jars. Or will I need to mix?
No problem 🙂 I would say Dynasty Blue and you might want to add a little snow white if it is to dark.
Shannon
What color is your walls? ? Just curious? Not sure what color I should do for mine.
Manika, I don’t remember the wall color. It is a light gray/blue.
Thanks,
Shannon
I have a fireplace with a hearth below. I would love to paint it with chalk paint. Will I need to seal it somehow because people sit on it and walk on it too. If i do need to seal it after I use the chalk paint , what should I use? Thanks so much for your help!! I’m excited and nervous at the same time to do this.
Katy, My fireplace brick was the scariest thing I’ve ever put a brush too. I was terrified of ruining it and having to look at it until we had the money to fix it. Glad I did it, was the biggest transformation this old house has ever seen. Only needs to be sealed if you want it shiny. I stand on mine, drag things across it, use it for storage right now (in the middle of more construction) and it holds up like a champ. Remember brick is porous so the paint is locked in. Share your pics..you are going to love the difference paint will make 🙂
You mentioned you couldn’t wait to put a brush on the brick on your house . Could you paint the outside of a brick house with chalk paint? Would you seal it? Would it hold up to weather(I live in Michigan)?
Pam, Yes our chalked paint is great for outdoors. Unlike other chalk type paints that can be wet sanded our quality resins are designed to hold up to weather. 🙂 I wouldn’t seal the brick. I painted my wrought iron bench last year and sealed half and both sides are great. Sealed side is easier to clean bird poo off of. 🙂
That looks beautiful 🙂
I don’t know why but I really love the use of grey color. It has the power to cover those minute shortcoming in bricks and texture. Great choice I would say. The color, combination and decor look aesthetically pleasing and charming. Thanks for sharing beauty, Glad I came across this.
If you have a shine on your brick now do you have to sand or does the chalk paint adhere to it?
As long as it isn’t oil based it will be fine. You might want to clean the brick first with a scrub brush and you can always test a spot.
Thanks,
Shannon
I bought the garfield gray, stunning sliver and alamo white for my fireplace in one of your stylist in Mission, KS. Love love love the paint! And it transformed my living room 🙂
Welcome Jez! Can’t wait to see your transformations! Share in our Support group https://www.facebook.com/groups/shabbypaintsgroup/
Thanks!
Love the fireplace! I plan on tackling my white brick fireplace next to make it similar to this. But where did you find all the decorations! In particular the centerpiece?
Thanks Amber! Everything comes from yard sales, goodwill or thrift shops. The screen was a yard sale find that I painted. The pictures shows all my treasures that were fixing to go to my booth for sale.
I see this is an old post so hope you see my question. What was your ratio of Grayfield Gray to Ice? Thank you.
Hi Kathy, It’s been so long I don’t really remember exactly, but it was probably 1part Ice to 3 parts Garfield Grey. Shabby Shannon