Okay, I’ve got another design dilemma as we are nearing the home stretch. Like many remodels, ours has taken about double the time and double the money than the original budget. As such, we’ve very little money to finish up the lingering projects, one of which is the double-sided fireplace in the center of the room. I love this fireplace. We spent a lot of money opening up the house to create an “open concept” with the fireplace as a centerpiece between the living room and dining room. It used to look like this, with a closed wall and cabinetry:
We demo’d the wall and the extraneous brick:
And now it looks like this:
My original plan was to cover the fireplace in a monochromatic stone cladding. I’ve always loved this look, and I thought it would add a nice focus to each room to have this kind of stone around the fireplace.
Stone Cladding:
Source: norstone.com.au via Kristen on Pinterest
Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via Kristen on Pinterest
The problem is, this idea is way out of our budget. Stone cladding is really expensive, and it’s also hard to find. I think this idea is out of our reach at this point. So, here are the options that we can afford:
Stucco
Doing a smooth coat of stucco could give us the look of concrete without the expense, and could be a quick and simple solution.
Drywall
It seems like a lot of new construction homes have drywalled fireplaces. I think this could be an easy solution to wrap it in drywall, but I also think it’s a little boring.
Painted Brick
The easiest solution would be to just paint the brick. But because the fireplace was cut on one side, we would have to repair it, and it’s possible the patch job will look a little . . . patchy. So, wrapping it might be easier.
Oy vey.
Any ideas I am missing? What would you do?
If it's a wood burning fireplace I'd avoid the stucco and drywall unless you're planning on surrounding the fireplace in tile as well. It will get sooty and be impossible to clean. We have painted brick (it's cream colored)and I like it, but it gets dirty too most of the marks come off easily. But definitely easier to clean than the other options. Plus I like the texture of the brick rather than the flat surface of stucco or drywall.
ReplyDeleteI personally like painted brick. It will be monochromatic without the cost of cladding, and you can change the color whenever you want. I say it's your best option. Down the road, if you really want to change it to cladding when you have more money in your budget... then go for it. :)
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ReplyDeletePainted brick, even patched, will give you texture and be easy on the budget. Paint it white for a monochromatic look or completely the opposite with an outstanding complimentary color.
ReplyDeleteI like the painted brick, too!
ReplyDeletepaint it! it's clean and easy, and even if a part of it is missing, it's edgy!
ReplyDeleteI definitely prefer the look of the painted brick, too!
ReplyDeletethe other options sort of look dated to me - like dated as in trendy now, but they may look dated soon. the brick is a classic! i would leave it or paint it. looks great!
ReplyDeleteNothing new here, painted brick! Even if it looks patchy, it will just add charm. Once painted though, I am guessing it will be hardly noticeable.
ReplyDeleteI'd go with painted brick, looks awesome! I agree with the above commenter that it gives a bit of an edge.
ReplyDeleteI love the brick as is, but if you have to, painted.
ReplyDeleteI would do painted brick. If fixing the brickwork will be expensive/tricky, you might be able to insert some shelves into the funky spot. . .It's hard to tell if you have enough space for that from the pics you provided. Our fireplace is white painted brick which contrasts with our wall color. I love stacked stone too, but you can't beat the ease of cleaning the brick. And like another commentor said, you can always easily change the color with paint!
ReplyDeleteI would do painted brick or Stucco right next to the fireplace opening with wood molding surrounding it. You could add a mantel or just take the molding to the ceiling. Either way you wouldn't have to patch or remove the brick, you could just work over it. They did something similar over on the lettered cottage. http://theletteredcottage.net/my-82-fireplace-makeover/
ReplyDeleteI vote for painted brick.
ReplyDeleteIt's looking AMAZING Kristen! I can't believe that's the same house! I vote to paint the brick. I love painted brick.
ReplyDeletePainted brick and save up for your original idea. After you live with it for a few years maybe you're "ideal" cladding will change anyways.
ReplyDeleteI'd be really tempted to leave it red brick. My first choice after that would be stucco. Maybe I'm biased because we have a concrete block fireplace in our new house.
ReplyDeletePaint the brick and embrace its imperfections. You may come to love them. If you don't you have spent very little and can choose another option later.
ReplyDeleteOur fireplaces (one in the living room one in the baement) are both painted brick and my mom has changed the colors several times over the years to fit with the current look of our living room. Now ours has white mantle woodwork with black brick, and she used this pearly glaze over the white to make it look even more modern. I really like it.
ReplyDeleteWhile I love the stone cladding, if that's not an option, I love painted brick. Bonus: once you have it repaired, painting will tie it all together, disguising the patches. One tip, make sure you research sealing and painting brick, you'll save money and time in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the brick as is. My second option would be painted brick. It depends on your decoration style, but I think brick is so classic and just naturally beautiful and charming.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the brick looks absolutely perfect as is! However, if red exposed brick is not your style then I would paint it. I think that would look beautiful but more modern, and give off the same vibe as the stone you like, with minimal expense. But I would definitely, definitely keep the exposed brick! I DREAM of having exposed brick someday :p
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for keeping the red brick- even get it patched if you have to. There's integrity with that. I also think it would add a nice contrast to all of the other "new construction-ness" that's going on. I like contrast.
ReplyDeleteBut....if you have to do something? paint it.
Depends on the tone of the brick but ours was a horrendous shade of dark red in a dark room so we opted to paint it the same color as the walls. You can see the before and after (and a how to) here: http://www.thecentsiblelife.com/2011/03/how-to-paint-a-fireplace-diy-tuesday/
ReplyDeleteI think a patch job and paint for now would be good. Down the road you can always do the option that's out of budget right now.
Maybe shallow shelves of the side the brick was taken out, with magazine/children's book-style shelving on the lower slant? Shelving (potentially with plants above?) can (cheaply) cover a multitude of uneven edgings...
ReplyDeleteI really like the brick that's already there - its vaguely loft-ish and looks pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely painted brick!
ReplyDeleteBrick! Painted or not.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you lost most of your comments from the last time I checked. Maybe it's something to check.
Paint the brick.
ReplyDeleteI'd be afraid that in an earthquake the stucco would crack. :/
BRICK. It's classic. I love the look of distressed brick. You could paint it and then take a sander to it. Looks worn and has character and would make a patch job look a little less obvious. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI love the bricks as they are. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI like the stucco the most. You live in Cali, odds of actually using it enough to dirty it are slim. Painted brick (in my opinion) wouldn't look good in that room unless it was extremely neutral (like white). Drywall is boring :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the brick as it is now! I don't think it needs to be painted or anything!
ReplyDeletePainted brick only have that cool modern look if they are the narrow sleek bricks (as in the picture above); otherwise, you end up with a sort of updated rustic look. And if you don't like the painted appeareance, the bricks have to be sand blasted (very expensive). Cladding has its own issues because dust and grime does settle and does NOT wipe off. It has to be blown off or vacuumed with a commercial vacuum.
ReplyDeleteDrywall is not fireproof and is a hazard, plus it won't pass any kind of inspection (if you are working with a building department).
Stucco is sleek and has the mid-century modernist esthetic you seem to favor. And if you find it boring, you can always put a stone veneer over the surface.
How do I know this? I've done it. Will send a couple of photos.
Lots of experience with 3 fireplaces. With soot, etc., I would avoid white or any color that is very light. I am totally addicted, and so for me I want to use them, not just look....so of course this is only if you are going to be using them regularly.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Leave the bricks as is. I've seen some people paint, say, every fifth or every tenth brick a color. But I also like as is... don't spend the money!
ReplyDeleteHave you considered tiling the fireplace? Are you adding a mantel to either side? If so, you could tile the surround and drywall above the mantel. Using large tiles would reduce the amount of material and is easier labor.
ReplyDeleteI love the stucco. I don't see the painted brick as a substitute for the cladding on any level. You're so consistent with the MCM look in your decor, the stucco gives you the clean lines that work so well with that look. Plus...when you have the budget for the cladding, then there will be very little work that needs to be done to prep it for the stone.
ReplyDeleteLove the painted brick look.
ReplyDeleteI say repair and paint! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Candis, If you do decide to paint, know that you are making that decision for the long hall. Stucco wont stick once its painted. Neither will the cladding if you ever are able to afford it. The brick would need to be sandblasted or the like. There are many options like sandblasting but they are all very very messy. What ever you choose at least you are informed.
ReplyDeleteThe brick is beautiful, don't cover it up! Repair it! Especially if you can't afford to go with the fancy stuff. We have gorgeous brick covered up with white paint in our fireplace, and if you actually burn a fire in there, it will just turn black. Of course we don't, since it's broken, but that's another story. My brother in law rescued old brick from somewhere and built a column in their house, lends a lot of warmth and style to it.
ReplyDeleteI personally like the brick, but I think it is not your taste. Don't paint the brick, it usually looks like a budget job. I would be hesitant to use stone because undertones go in and out of style and that is a long term commitment for a lot of money. I like picture of the drywall clad fireplace, it looks nice and clean and modern, especially if you paint it a different color than the walls. I like the stucco idea as well.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered a manufactured stone? It really looks almost just like real stone and is much cheaper than the real thing. Two companies I know of that make it are Cultured Stone and El Dorado Stone. I am a Landscape Archtiect and have used it in many outdoor applications, but I have seen in their brochures, that they also do indoor fireplaces. I also love the brick though, and think that if you patched it, it wouldn't be too noticeable. If it was very noticeable painting it would still look nice.
ReplyDeleteI like painted brick, but suspect that stucco's more your taste. Love the colors that you've shown so far, btw.
ReplyDeleteIn case you didn't know, they sell stacked stone at Home Depot and Lowes. It's manufactured, but it's actually cheaper to install that way. Just search "stacked stone" on their websites.
ReplyDeletethe stucco gives it more of a modern feel than brick
ReplyDeletethe stucco gives it more of a modern feel than brick
ReplyDeleteHeat from the fireplace can cause stucco and drywall to expand and crack. If you go that route, be VERY careful about who does the work...make sure they are using materials that can expand/adjust. I vote painted brick so you don't have a big crack up your wall!
ReplyDeleteIs the notch in the brick large enough to use as a shelf? My grandparents have a modern & Asian feel to their home, and the wall above their fireplace is drywalled. A few years ago, they notched out a space on the corner of the chimney about 1 ft. by 1 ft. by 2 ft. tall. It's drywalled and painted like the rest of the walls around it; they are displaying a gorgeous doll from Singapore. If you haven't repaired the brick yet, consider using it to display something unique.
ReplyDeleteI'd paint it. And maybe add in a chunky piece of wood, stained to a color os other wood in the room, where the notch is on the one side.
ReplyDelete