Whitewashed Brick Fireplace: A Before & After Makeover
A whitewashed brick fireplace keeps the natural character and texture of the brick while softening the heavy red tones into a light, calm focal point. In this project, a dated orange-red brick fireplace was transformed with a soft white whitewash and a refreshed mantel, instantly brightening the whole room without losing the cozy, textured look of real brick.
Before
The fireplace was a builder-grade red-brick surround that ran floor to ceiling, with strong orange undertones that pulled visual weight away from the rest of the room. The mantel sat in a flat white that clashed slightly with the warm brick below it.
After
The same brick now wears a soft, light whitewash. Because a whitewash is a thinned, semi-transparent layer rather than a solid coat of paint, the texture and subtle variation of every brick still shows through. The result reads bright and current while still feeling warm. The mantel was refreshed to a complementary creamy tone so the whole piece works together.
How a whitewashed brick fireplace is done
Whitewash is one of three common ways to lighten brick, and they are not the same thing:
- Whitewash is watered-down paint applied in a thin, see-through layer. The brick texture and color show through. This is the look in this project.
- Limewash is a lime-and-water mineral finish with a chalky, matte look. It is beautiful but typically needs a refresh every several years.
- German smear (mortar wash) is wet mortar wiped across the brick for a heavy, rugged, old-world texture. It is permanent and dramatic.
For a whitewash, the steps are: protect the floor and surrounding walls, clean the brick thoroughly so the wash will adhere, mix the wash to the right ratio for the coverage you want, then work it into the brick a small section at a time, adjusting how much you wipe back to control how much brick shows through. The mantel and trim are prepped and painted separately.
What does it cost to paint or whitewash a brick fireplace?
A brick fireplace is often one of the most affordable rooms-worth of impact in a house. When a painter is already on site, refinishing the fireplace is frequently a modest add-on. The exact figure varies with the size of the surround and the finish chosen. 2 Lady Painters gives a free, no-obligation quote and a free color consultation so you know the number before any work begins.