Traditionally, the fireplace was the centrepiece of a home – with families gathering around the fireplace to keep themselves warm, cosying up together during the long, winter nights and enjoying the company of their loved ones. Sadly, the centrepiece of the home nowadays is a flat screen TV – and with the invention of central heating, the once-loved fireplace is now just a discarded decorative feature.
So if the spark has gone from your love of the fireplace, let us show you how to reignite your passion with this inventive and ingenious DIY hack: and paint a lifeless-looking brick fireplace into a bold, standout work of art. All you need is the correct set of tools and materials, a creative eye, a passion for DIY and patience – after all, good things come to those who ‘follow our guide to painting a brick fireplace’…
-
A clean fireplace is a happy fireplace. Take a long, hard look at your fireplace – as that’s the last time you’ll see it in its dishevelled state. Scrub the bricks clean with a wire brush, removing all the dust and soot, then wash the brick using a formula that’s half water and vinegar. Wipe away any residue to allow your paint and adhesives to stick.
-
Paint. Finally, the bit you’ve all been waiting for – the opportunity to get stuck in and makeover your mantel! Paint the exposed brickwork, but remember that brick is porous – so when painting, ensure the paint is fully pushed into the prick so no holes are showing. Again, this may require two coats. If you want to keep the traditional red brick look, why not use our paint for bricks, tiles and doorsteps? Alternatively, first use our Quick Dry Primer Undercoat and then pick any colour from the Johnstone’s emulsion range for the top coat!
-
Build and install a new mantel. While the painting is most definitely the fun part, this is where the patience comes in – as you’ll be tasked with creating and fitting in a new mantel. Measure the existing mantel top, then come up with a design – if you’re stuck for inspiration, try searching for a mantel at your local recycling centre. To give the mantel some life, try adding moulding to it – next, attach with wood screws, cover the holes, sand then paint the mantel. Last but not least, position the mantel over the top of your old mantel. Locate the studs in the wall, then nail the screws into the mantel through the wall. And for the finishing touch, use wood filler to fill the screw holes – leave to dry, sand, then paint to match the mantel.
-
Stand back and admire your handiwork. After all that hard work, give yourself a pat on the back – you deserve it!
Have you got a fireplace that could do with a serious revamp? Or have you taken on this type of project before? Share your experiences with the rest of the creative community today!