“HGTV HOUSE HUNTERS HOME RENOVATION” FIREPLACE PROJECT – Part 3 of 3

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“A Mantel Would Look Nice”

After the fireplace bricks and firebox were finished, we thought about what we could do to make the fireplace not look so plain.  The firebox opening was offset to the side and we thought about a mantel to hang over it.  Carmen and John chose a rustic mantel shelf called the Ridgewood from our website.  It was almost a perfect match to their new hardwood floors in distressed medium oak.  Carmen found a painting she had purchased at a garage sale to add some color to the fireplace and the new mantle.  We loved how the blue sky in the painting complemented the walls and windows in the room.

When Tim the contractor came to install the mantel, he couldn’t believe fireplace transformation.  He said he would have charged thousands of dollars to tear out the fireplace.  We had to convince him we had painted the brick with Brick-Anew…he was amazed it still looked like real brick…just a lighter color.  Lucky for Carmen and John they can spend the money they saved on new furniture for their room!!

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“Fireplace Doors Finish Off the Firebox”

After examining the firebox, we determined the fireplace was masonry like practically all fireplaces in older homes.  Carmen and John chose a set of steel fireplace doors in oil-rubbed bronze from our website.  Tim, the contractor, installed the doors quickly and easily.  The clear glass, cabinet style doors gave a clean, finished look that was amazing with the new twilight taupe brick color.

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“Time to Get Back to the ATL”

We spent our last day sightseeing and eating some fabulous food!  We took a beautiful drive through the canyon to Santa Monica.  Then it was off to Hollywood to dinner.   I love our new friends and California!  Hopefully, they can visit us in Atlanta soon.

 

“HGTV HOUSE HUNTERS HOME RENOVATION” FIREPLACE PROJECT: “Brick-Anew Paint Kit to the Rescue!”

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“Brick-Anew Paint Kit to the Rescue!”

Carmen and John are both actors and have limited time to devote to each of their home renovation projects. (Maybe you’ve seen John riding a motorcycle with Flo in those cool Progressive Insurance commercials!)  They have to be able to go for an audition on a moment’s notice so they weren’t real thrilled of adding another complicated project to their already long list.

I convinced them that the Brick-Anew paint kit project would take just a couple of days and they’d get a lighter real brick look without a huge mess or expense.  So after the decision was made, it was time to get started!

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First, Carmen taped off the fireplace and cleaned the brick so it was ready to paint.  The base coat went on first.  The brick was rough and porous with ridges and cracks so it took a little more time to apply the base coat.  When the base coat was finished, we let it dry overnight.

We could have kept going but were were ready for a break.  Carmen made home made organic pesto and pasta for dinner …Delicious!

“What About the Firebox?”

After the Brick-Anew brick paint was finished, we noticed the firebox was this big, unattractive opening about 36”wide by 29”high stained with soot and ash.  There was a faded metal grate in it for holding logs.

We took our high temperature black firebox paint and got to work.  We sell the firebox paint on our website.  It’s a high temperature grill and stove paint that can be used inside the firebox as well.  We opened all the windows and doors since there’s a strong odor until it dries.  Carmen painted the grate a placed it back in the firebox.  Voila!  Beautiful, new firebox!

 

HGTV HOUSE HUNTERS HOME RENOVATION” FIREPLACE PROJECT: “LA, Here We Come!

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When Carmen called me a couple of months ago asking some questions about our Brick-Anew paint it, we hit it off right away.  She described how she and her husband, John, had just bought a house in the suburbs of LA and how HGTV was filming in their new home for a new show in their “House Hunters” series.  She sent me a picture of her living room area and the old brick fireplace she was trying to figure out how to remodel.

The fireplace, made with bright red brick from the 1950’s, covered an entire wall.  She didn’t want to just slap a can of paint over the brick to cover it up but didn’t know what else to do on their limited budget’ and time frame. They had considered tearing out the fireplace and starting over.

I knew the fireplace had so much potential…it just needed a little work.  So it was off to LA to see if we could help!

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 “What Do We Do With That Old, Outdated Fireplace?”

When we got to LA I was amazed that the traffic was as bad or worse than Atlanta!  But when we got out to the suburbs of Van Nuys, it was beautiful.  Carmen and John’s home, a 1950’s ranch style brick house, was on the end of their street with a wonderful, private lot.  I love old houses so I enjoyed walking around the property hearing them talk about their decorating and renovation plans.  HGTV’s crew was there working on converting a detached garage into a game room.  Oh, and the best part is that there’s a pool in back!

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Seeing the fireplace for the first time in person, I noticed the roughness and ridges in the old brick.   The fireplace was about 80 square feet covering an entire back wall which really weighed down the room and caused it to heavy and dark.  What a shame since the room was really open and had lots of windows and doors opening out to an amazing pool and patio area!  Carmen had painted the walls a beautiful light, blue which seemed to help.  But we had at lot of work to do to take the fireplace from UGGG! To AHHH!

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Part 1 of 3 of our HGTV House Hunters Home Renovation Fireplace Project

Why burning with your Fireplace Glass Doors open matters

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Nikoc1

Fireplace glass doors are one of the greatest additions to fireplace safety and comfort.  Protecting the immediate area near the fire from excessive heat as well as from burning embers, glass doors provide a neat partition.  The glass doors manage to control the size of the fire and the temperature of heat in the room.

If the fire suddenly gets bigger than expected, closing the doors will reduce the flame by limiting air to the oxygen-hungry fire.  It is wise to remember that while we have learned to control fire by containing it in a fireplace, the elements still can wield their unpredictable powers over us.

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Special Z – Trackless Bi-Fold Door

The U.S. Fire Administration gives these helpful tips on fireplace and home safety (here are a few)

  • Keep fireplaces clean – have them inspected annually by a certified chimney specialist.
  • Leave glass doors open while burning. This ensures the fire receives enough air to escape any combustion type situations.
  • Never use flammable liquids to start a fire
  • Do not leave a fire in the fireplace unattended.
  • Extinguish a fire before going to bed or leaving.
  • Always make sure you have smoke detectors installed and keep fresh batteries in them monthly.

There are many websites you can go to for fire regulations for your state and city. Burning with your fireplace doors open can prevent all kinds of potential fire hazards in your home. Combustion and shattering of glass is always a concern. Make sure you know your states laws and check the links provided to ensure you are fire safe.

Please use the link above to read more about how to keep your fireplace safe and the proper suggestions for using your fireplace glass doors. You can also find more information about fireplace safety at the below listed link.

Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association

HPBA

Chased the Blues Away on Our Brick Fireplace – Amazing Before and After

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Before After

Let me just start by saying, we did not paint our fireplace blue. However the owners before us did. We knew we had to do something about it and we had to do it pretty quickly. After surfing the internet and not satisfied with the things we saw, we stumbled onto the Brick Anew website. I could not believe my eyes when I saw a previously painted brick fireplace looking like brick again. The texture, the definition, it was exactly what we needed.

We chose the paint color, Misty Harbor and are so happy with the final project. I know that anything had to be better than what we had to start with, but this truly is beautiful and was very easy.

For More information on this product visit: Transform Your Fireplace with Brick Anew

Previously painted brick is no longer a problem

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Andy Before and After

 

Andrea in Maryland had this to say “What a wonderful process!  And it was pretty easy”  These are her photo’s shown above.

Brick Anew allows you to change the color of your brick and keep the texture, look, and feel of natural brick. It works on all types of brick (even on previously painted brick!). No other product can do this. It’s a One-Of-A-Kind System and comes pre-tested and pre-mixed with no harsh fumes or chemicals. EVERYTHING is included! The minute your kit arrives, you’re ready to get started!

Find out more here: Brick-Anew and check out the customer testimonial photo’s

Brightening Your Brick Fireplace

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Holidays 2007 066

We absolutely love our new fireplace.  We had been considering painting it
for several years, and then we came across your product and decided to go
for it!  The brick paint color we chose was Twilight Taupe. We couldn’t be happier.  It brightens the whole room and makes us feel like we have a new home!

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Thanks again,

Ava and Steve

What Kind of Paint to Use Inside a Fireplace

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Painting the inside of a fireplace is a great way to mask ash and soot and get a fresh look without spending a fortune. There are a few considerations when painting the inside of a fireplace

1. Use the Right Kind of Paint

If you are painting your fireplace, you need to know that fireplaces regularly reach temperatures of 1300 degrees and more. When you paint, you need to use a high temperature, fire retardant paint like this black firebox paint.

Black Firebox Paint

Black Firebox Paint

2. Clean Your Fireplace

Before you paint your fireplace, you will need to clean it. Use soap and water and a brush or cloth. This will allow for a smooth area to apply paint. Make sure the fireplace is completely dry before applying the paint.

Here is a great example of a blog who redid their firebox:

http://itsgreattobehome.net/2012/06/05/how-to-freshen-the-inside-of-your-fireplace-with-paint/

Before Black Firebox Paint

Before Black Firebox Paint

After Black Firebox Paint

After Black Firebox Paint

3. Metal or Brick Lined, or Gas?

Consider which you have and make sure you use the paint that is specific to your fireplace’s interior.

Brick Lined Fireplace

Brick Lined Fireplace

4. Be Prepared

Prep for Painting Fireplace

Prep for Painting Fireplace

High temperature paints, the kind used for painting the interior of fireplaces, are very toxic. You will want to make sure you have rubber gloves, a proper face mask for guarding against toxic fumes, and proper covering for your skin and clothes. Make sure and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

You will also need:

  • A paint brush
  • Trisodium phosphate
  • Firm-bristled brush
  • Painter’s tape
  • Paintbrush
  • High-temperature paint

 

 

 

 

How to Paint Over Brick

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You have an ugly brick fireplace and you want to do something about it. Maybe you thought of remodeling your brick fireplace, but the expense was too great. Maybe you thought about painting your brick, but had seen one too many drab, flat looking painted fireplaces. There are a few other options, and one of these is painting your brick with a textured look, or a faux finish to get a new looking fireplace, at a reasonable price.

Painting-Bricks

Painting Bricks

Painting with Multiple Colors

Here is one site’s solution, which involves painting your fireplace in several steps:
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2010/08/painting-brick-fireplace-from-white-to.html

Before Painting the Brick

Before Painting the Brick

After Painting Brick

After Painting Brick

They actually save a brick fireplace from its flat white appearance, and use a multi-stage-process to add some texture to the brick.

Painting with One Color 

Another site paints their fireplace white, and although we generally frown upon the painting of a fireplace with just one color, their results are still nice:
http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/01/how-to-paint-a-brick-fireplace/

After Painting Brick

After Painting Brick

 Supplies and Preparation

In order to paint your brick fireplace, you will first need the proper supplies, and this includes:

You will want to mask off the area around your fireplace you do not want painted, the addition of a drop cloth will help prevent any excess spills from getting in your house. Then, you will want to clean the area you are painting. This helps prepare the brick to be painted – make sure the area is fully dried before you begin painting.

 

 

 

 

What is the Best Firebox Paint for Bringing Your Firebox to Life?

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Your firebox endures a lot over time. Eventually it becomes charred, burned out, or even rusted, leaving your fireplace looking weathered and terrible. When you want to make your firebox look like new, a fresh coat of firebox paint is just what the doctor ordered. Before you start, you have to think about what kind of fireplace you have, and also be prepared to prep and clean the firebox for painting.

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What Color Firebox Paint Should I Use?

Your paint color choices depend on whether or not you have a wood-burning or gas log fireplace. When you have a wood burning fireplace, I recommend you use a standard black high temp paint since the ash, soot, and dirt from burning wood would quickly stain any other color. If you have a gas log fireplace, you can use an off-white paint if black doesn’t light your fire (no pun intended). Off-white makes your fireplace look brighter and livelier, and is also a good way to display your gas logs. In the pictures below, you can see the difference between a firebox painted with standard black and one painted with off-white:

 

Choosing a Paint

You should choose paint especially formulated for high temperature environments. Regular paint can’t stand up to heat for very long. Manufacturers formulate firebox paint to withstand temperatures up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Shop for firebox paint

What makes a good high temp paint?  

“High quality specially formulated flat black paint resists peeling and blistering when subjected to temperatures up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit  Renews and protects the finish on steel or cast iron stoves, ovens, grills, and cookers. Non-graying and color-fast. It dries quickly to an even flat black finish.” Rutland Company

Cleaning and Prepping Your firebox

Use these tips to clean your firebox and get ready to paint:

 

  • Use a drop cloth in the the work area. You will need it since you’ll be emptying the firebox. 
  • Use a shop vac and get as much soot out of the firebox as you can. If you don’t have a shop vac on hand, rent one from a hardware store. 
  • Use a good cleaner formulated for removing soot and creosote. I suggest this excellent product from Rutland. 
  • Use a long-handled sponge to clean the firebox so that you don’t have to crawl into the fireplace. See the example below:

  • Use a mini-roller paint brush to get the painting done.
  • Have you used firebox paint to give your fireplace a new look? Show us your pics below.