Re-uhhh-finishing? a brick fireplace

[jdoolin]

My wife and I just bought a home (our ability to do so thanks to this site), and one of the future projects is to give the brick fireplace a facelift.

I've attached a photo, but it is currently painted a fairly prominent red color with off-white "mortar".

First question is, how on earth does one go about refinishing/painting this?  Has anyone ever undertaken a project like this, and can it be done in cost effective manner?  Can it be done so that it looks at least semi-natural?

Second question is more about what to do with it.  I think had previously been a gas fireplace, as the line is still in there.  I've heard a few people mention a ventless gas system, but I've also heard negative things about them.

[ArtieStrongestInTheWorld]

For your first question, these folks have had some pretty good success refinishing similar looking fireplaces:

http://www.younghouselove.com/2013/03/fireplace-makeover-stick-a-fork-in-it/

[Spork]

Is that really painted?  Or is it just red bricks?  (It's hard to tell in the pic.)

This is a matter of personal preference... but thing about it before you paint it (assuming it isn't painted already).  It's hard to 'unpaint' them.  Depending on how hard the bricks are, it can even be impossible.  Some will start to crumble if you start blasting them.

If you're really looking to facelift... and depending on how much budget you have.  You might also consider a small wood stove inserted in there.  They do give off a lot of heat.  (A lot of fireplaces are more for ambiance and not so much for utility.)

[Lil_Bit]

There is a DIY show I watch on the weekends on the Live Well Network called 'Knock It Off'.  They help homeowners remodel / transform rooms in their home based on a strict budget.  They will often reuse or re-purpose items that the homeowners already have in their possession. 

For some ideas, here is an episode that included transforming the look of a fireplace for $100 and it turned out very nice (at least I thought so).

http://livewellnetwork.com/Knock-It-Off/episodes/Outdated-Basement-Gets-Big-Makeover/9218532


More episodes from the show:
http://livewellnetwork.com/Knock-It-Off!/episodes/111?show=knockitoff&ct=lwhd_Episode

[jdoolin]

Thanks for the suggestions and the video links!  My wife and I had a look and we're starting to get some ideas.

Only problem is we have way more to tend to before we can get to it.

[dragoncar]

Didn't read the links but can you just put a new facade on the outside and call it a day?

[daizy744]

My house had a painted brick fireplace. I cleaned it with a degreasing soap and some TSP. I used a high adhesion primer and then painted with my favourite latex paint (in white). It was easy but tTook a long time to get into all of the mortar crevices. I used a brush to do the crevices and a foam roller to cover the fronts of the bricks.  The prep is the most important part to make sure the finished job looks good.

The opening in my fireplace looks similar to yours. I'd like to install a sealed wood stove insert one day too.

Yours would look great with some built-in shelving units on either sides, underneath the windows.

Good luck!

[MKinVA]

I really like the brick pattern on your fireplace. It's interesting and different. You might want to think about how it would look if you change the tiles on the floor and put a nicer mantle on it. You can construct the mantle out of fairly inexpensive parts. Not too fancy. Think 1920's, eastlake, etc. Don't make it too Victorian. Won't fit the style.

[dragoncar]

As for what to do with it, I love actual fires, but I also think this look is kinda cool.  I'd consider doing a project with realistic LED candles for low power, cheap, and safe operation (I would have to do it that way because I don't have a chimney).

[ritchie70]

As for what to do with it, I love actual fires, but I also think this look is kinda cool.  I'd consider doing a project with realistic LED candles for low power, cheap, and safe operation (I would have to do it that way because I don't have a chimney).

Why would you need a chimney to burn a dozen small candles?

[dragoncar]

As for what to do with it, I love actual fires, but I also think this look is kinda cool.  I'd consider doing a project with realistic LED candles for low power, cheap, and safe operation (I would have to do it that way because I don't have a chimney).

Why would you need a chimney to burn a dozen small candles?

A dozen candles are really bad for air quality

[rocksinmyhead]

My house had a painted brick fireplace. I cleaned it with a degreasing soap and some TSP. I used a high adhesion primer and then painted with my favourite latex paint (in white). It was easy but tTook a long time to get into all of the mortar crevices. I used a brush to do the crevices and a foam roller to cover the fronts of the bricks.  The prep is the most important part to make sure the finished job looks good.

The opening in my fireplace looks similar to yours. I'd like to install a sealed wood stove insert one day too.

Yours would look great with some built-in shelving units on either sides, underneath the windows.

Good luck!

I like these ideas. We currently live in a rental house with a white painted brick fireplace and I think it looks great. (coincidentally our setup is also quite similar to yours, with the two square windows on either side... no mirror though)

And congrats on the house purchase!!

[jfer_rose]

For your first question, these folks have had some pretty good success refinishing similar looking fireplaces:

http://www.younghouselove.com/2013/03/fireplace-makeover-stick-a-fork-in-it/

Funny, because the first thing that came to my mind when I saw this post was the fireplace in the NEW home by the Young House Love bloggers. They whitewashed this fireplace so you can still see a bit of the brick red peaking through: http://www.younghouselove.com/2013/08/whitewash-in-the-hizzy/

[fodder69]

Painting can look nice but I am definitely more a fan of natural brick. Problem is that brick color is ugly! I'd look at staining the brick myself. Here is a link to a couple that did a nice transition on thiers. Just test at the back of the fireplace first and I am sure you can make it look really nice and it looks like maybe $100 in supplies.

http://www.remodelaholic.com/2011/03/update-the-color-of-your-brick-stained-brick-fireplace/

Here is a link to the companies fireplace examples.

http://www.dyebrick.com/gallery2/v/Fireplaces/