want to update red brick interior wall
#1
09-03-05, 11:09 PM
want to update red brick interior wall
In our family room, half of the room has a red brick wall with fireplace and two insets for electronics. I am looking for ideas on how to update this look. Thought possibly metalic paint of different colors on surface of bricks but not where the grout is. Also thought about using copper, silver and gold leaf? How do you think this will look? Any other unique ideas?
#3
09-06-05, 10:59 AM
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metallic paint on bricks? hmmm.....i vote no. unless you're planning on hanging one of those mirrored disco balls from the center of the ceiling! 
is that the mood you're going for?
if not, maybe you just need to tone down the brick color. recently, on an episode of Designed to Sell, they did just that on a fireplace wall. the brick was pretty solidly colored brickred, and they sponged on a lighter color, sort of a cream, just here & there (just on the brick faces, not the mortar), leaving a good amount of the red showing, but enough to make it look like the brick was that kind that's mottled with a creamy color. it helped it to seem less overpowering & dark, and blend in better with the walls.
i think i'd try that. and if it's still too bricky for you, then paint it out completely with the wall color (mortar and all).
is that the mood you're going for? if not, maybe you just need to tone down the brick color. recently, on an episode of Designed to Sell, they did just that on a fireplace wall. the brick was pretty solidly colored brickred, and they sponged on a lighter color, sort of a cream, just here & there (just on the brick faces, not the mortar), leaving a good amount of the red showing, but enough to make it look like the brick was that kind that's mottled with a creamy color. it helped it to seem less overpowering & dark, and blend in better with the walls.
i think i'd try that. and if it's still too bricky for you, then paint it out completely with the wall color (mortar and all).
#4
09-07-05, 01:38 PM
I really agree with Annette on this. And I also saw that episode of Designed to Sell...the bricks looked quite nice afterwards! It was just the trick to soften the look of the bricks.
In general, I think that either you like the look of brick or you don't. If you don't, then I think you should do whatever is going to make them more palatable to you! I'm a big fan of painted brick. And in our area of the Northeast, painted brick is quite common. In everything from contemporary to older, historic homes.
That said, though, I can't quite picture the metallic paint finish making the bricks look BETTER. I think it will just draw more attention to them in an unflattering way. I'd definitely go for a solid painted look. And DO paint the grout the same color as the bricks. It will unify the look.
In general, I think that either you like the look of brick or you don't. If you don't, then I think you should do whatever is going to make them more palatable to you! I'm a big fan of painted brick. And in our area of the Northeast, painted brick is quite common. In everything from contemporary to older, historic homes.
That said, though, I can't quite picture the metallic paint finish making the bricks look BETTER. I think it will just draw more attention to them in an unflattering way. I'd definitely go for a solid painted look. And DO paint the grout the same color as the bricks. It will unify the look.
