Our family room has quite a large fireplace and hearth. While the brick was attractive, it needed brightening up. I like the texture and look of brick and didn’t want to paint a thick coat on top to hide it. I wanted to enhance it.
I started to think of the brick houses that I love. Those that have been painted white and left to distress through the years. I love those homes!
My husband first installed new wood floors. Again, you can see how dark the room is.After the floors, I decided to just dive in. First, I painted the mantel in white, distressed and waxed it. Then, on to the brick. I was hoping I’d like the result because I would be stuck with it! I made a wash with Annie Sloan’s Old White chalk paint and water. Here it is being applied.
Technique:
Dilute Annie Sloan Old White chalk paint (about 1 part paint to 3 water) to make a watery wash
Take brush and dab into a bowl of water and then into the whitewash mix
Dab/Stipple wash onto the bricks
Take a paper towel and dab the excess off
As you go along, add or remove wash to create an even look and make it as strong or light as you wish.




