The view from where I'm sitting...

Is a little whiter, a little brighter.

 

I've wanted to paint the bricks on my fireplace surround for a looonng time. A really long time.  I have no fear of painting. Most things. Brick however, is not a quick and easy fix if you don't like it, if you change your mind on a whim, like some people.  But after seeing this photo, in my post from last week

Yikes! That's some ugly brick! Too much color and contrast is going on. I like color, but muted, serene color. Not jarring to the eye, screaming in your face color.  The red in those bricks, against the blue on wall, then the white trim not to mention the wood tones. TOO much!  I realize taking a photo with the TV on wasn't the best choice either, but that aside, there is still a lot for the eye to take in. It's like the look I'm going for is floating all around this fireplace. See the softness of the mantle. I like that. Except for the freaky reflection of the ceiling fan.  All would be pretty cool if that Mr. Loud FP wasn't in the picture, and his freaky friend Ugly Ceiling Fan.

So, last night I quieted things down a bit. Mitch was at work. I was home alone, so I got out the paint and went to work quieting down that noisy fireplace.

I had some bead board wallpaper left over from the kitchen so I dragged that out too. It turns out I didn't have as much left over as I thought. Only enough for one side.

 

Even lopsided, it made the view from my chair this morning so much nicer.

Now I have to decide if I want to do the whole room with the bead board wp or just the fireplace wall. Thoughts?

I'm going to add a trim board at the top of the bead board.  Probably something along the lines of this. 

Image from It's the little things

I think I will also paint above the mantel white and add some trim to frame out and add emphasis to the fireplace so it doesn't get lost.

Comments

[Amber]

Love the beadboard..maybe you could do the other side first and then decide if you want to do the whole room. And that sounds like a great idea for above the mantle - so pretty!

[anina]

So much better! Now you're making me want to do the same to my brick fireplace. I've been afraid to do it because it's so permanent, but yours looks so great!

[Jenny]

oooh, it's Perfection girl! I love it! I did this to the fireplace in our last home and I sooo know what you mean Autum - walls and furniture are one thing but when you paint on brick you need to be reeeeeally sure it is what you want to do ;)! I love it though, it lifts the whole room - makes it so bright and light! Funny how one little bit of paint can do that... You know, I have throughly enjoyed watching you transform you home in the past few years!! You seem to have such a natural flow to what you are doing - and your style is very relaxed and beachy which (being from the coast here in Perth) I love!. Each time you do something I think - yes! that is perfect for the room! I am so glad you are back online :o)! ..and that beadboard wallpaper, ..love love love! I need some of that so badly for my bedroom! Can't find it in Australia anywhere! hmm ebay perhaps? Anyway, have a great week Autum and big kiss for Baileigh xoxo!
(ps - did I tell you my daughter is expecting no 2 and it is a girl :o) - very excited!)

[Sharly]

I like the idea of the beadboard on the fireplace wall, and I love that trim you show!The painted brick looks really good! We actually wound up busting out all the brick around our fireplace. It was the hardest of all the jobs we've done, but a grand improvement! (Peek, if you have a minute).

www.houseof9lives.wordpress.com/home-renovationsdecor/living-room/

These pictures were done before the floor was finished and everything was really decorated.

We did break down and paint the ugly brick exterior of our house last year, and it was one of the nicest changes we've made!!

Glad yours worked out, too!

[lisa]

My vote is for just on the fireplace wall. I think it would make a cute accent wall

[katie@Impatientlyprayingforpatience]

Wow thanks for liking my mantel! Since it was featured on the Lettered Cottage it has showed up all over blog land. I have gotten to meet some many wonderful blogs this way. I was just wondering if you could link my mantel back to my blog, though. Thanks so much!

[Karen C. Riley]

Amazing, Autumn!! I love this...you have given me wonderful inspiration for my own living area...where do you get this "beadboard wallpaper"? I'm from the Midwest (originally from very near your area...TN). Just wondering where I may be able to pick it up in my own area.

[Christina]

OH I really like!
And I think that's a great idea, framing out above the mantel

[Rita]

I'd say just the fire place wall. I don't really know but it seems if it were on every wall it might look like you really LOVE bead board.:) And I do I really do but...I'm just sayin the fire place wall would look real nice.

[Autum]

Sure thing Katie!

[Autum]

Hi Karen.

Home Depot online is the only place Ive found it, not in their stores. Its a really thick wall paper and is so easy to work with. I just LOVE it!

Take Care!

xo Autum

[Autum]

Thanks Christina

xo Autum

[Autum]

Thanks Rita.

xo Auutm

[cyndi]

Wow This looks great! Isin't it funny how you see things threw the lense of a camera that you dont really see with your "everyday eye's" I love it!!
Ps where did you get beadbord wallpaper? oh yeah and I vote the whole room.

[Autum]

Hi Cyndi,

Thanks!

I ordered the wall paper online from Home Depot. I checked my local store, but they told me they only have wall paper online.

Have a great day!

xo Autum

[Ann]

You know, I usually love plain brick but painting them white really transformed your room's "aura." The addition of the beadboard really kicked it up and your idea for the framed squares above the mantel would be so beautiful. I love where you're going with this! Thank you for your very kind words on my blog.

[Pam@Farmtocottagetoshore]

I love it, very pretty with the white brick.

[Shann]

Wow! That looks so good white!! Not that it looked bad plain...but the white is great! And, I am a sucker for beadboard. Good job! :)

[Gail]

I think it looks awesome! Good job! : )

[Sondra]

The white bricks look fabulous!!! It really helps the tone you want to carry to follow through. I completely agree that before you painted there was just too much "going on" in the room. I also like the addition of the bead board and think it would look best on that one wall as a "focal point". However, my personal opinion is that the wallpaper is too high up on the wall. It takes away from your mantel. It seems to me that if you were to lower the top of the paper and top it off, like you suggested, with a chair rail or some other "cap" that the mantel itself would pop! Right now it all seems to blend together and there is no "wow" effect from your mantel.

[Susan Goodwin]

I love the transformation! I've been itching to paint the brick around our fireplace for years...it's a pinkish red...ick! Did you use a special kind of paint? I'm worried about heat, etc. in the winter. Thanks!!!

Susan

[Charity aka Mama Hoot]

The transformation is amazing! Great job! Personal opinion - I like the bead board on the focal wall. It gives it a fresh cottage look without being over the top. Give us an update when you get the bead board finished!

[mommymae]

looks great!

we just moved into our new house where 2 walls of our family room are that red brick. ugh. i WILL be painting a lot in the near future.

[lindsaysatchell@gmail.com]

Oooh, the white brick looks great! I would have never thought to do that- thanks for the inspiration! Clever!!

I also love the beadboard... but maybe just on that wall. Echoing previous posts, I see!

[Bunk Bed]

I love the bricks white, especially with all the other white trim. It is a nice contrast with the natural wood floor.