Introducing a new feature…”Ask Us“! We get reader questions all the time and wanted to answer a few on the blog each week…first up, some quick painting tips! If you have a design dilemma, email us (photos welcome) at contact@prairiehive.com, and we might feature your question on the blog!
Dear Prairie Hive,
I have a brick fireplace that I’d like to paint. Are there any DIY tips for painting on brick, or special textures?
Sincerely,
Dawn D.
Clockwise, from left:
Images via design*sponge, Young House Love, Cupcakes and Cashmere, From the Right Bank, Southern Living, Decor8
Dear Dawn,
Painting over a dingy, dark or dated fireplace is a great way to brighten up your space! It’s fairly easy, just a few steps:
1. Clean existing brick. Depending on the condition, this might take a quick wipe down, or you may want to use a wire brush to remove any loose grout or debris. Make sure it’s completely dry before you start painting.
2. If your bricks are dark and your paint is light, or vice versa – or if you have soot stains that might show through, use a latex primer as your first coat.
3. Paint away! Use a roller with a nap made for textures – it will likely take 2-3 coats, so plan for more paint than you would normally need for the area. You will also need a brush to get in all the grout joints and crevices of the brick.
See? Easy. Depending on the style of your house, another technique is a whitewash type finish that will allow the brick to show through. Our Lisa W. used a cream colored glaze on her fireplace, painting it on small areas and then wiping it off. I also found a great tutorial here.
Happy Painting, and please send us pictures when you finish!
Don’t forget, send us your questions throughout April!
If you don’t mind, now we have a few questions for you. As Prairie Hive’s first anniversary approaches, we want to know what you think! Please take our (quick!) READER SURVEY and tell us what you like, don’t like, and what you’d like to see. First up…Prairie Hive Mag!
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE READER SURVEY!
SarahV
A designer, product consultant, animal lover, admitted TV-addict and travel fanatic, Sarah also became an unintentional foodie when she met her husband, a chef. They recently welcomed their first child into the family - a rock star in training with some fantastic hair. A true believer that attitude is everything in design, fashion and life, her philosophy is that if you choose what you genuinely love it will all work together with a little thought.
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