Should the fireplace brick be painted?

I received this question in my last Instagram Q&A from a homeowner who had been told to paint the fireplace brick in her home.

I studied this one for awhile, I have to say. I wound up saying no.

Here’s why…..

This homeowner was really initially asking about what to do with the terracotta tile hearth that ran the length of the wall. She had been told to paint the brick white and then wondered about the raised terracotta hearth and what to do with that.

I mean, she could paint the brick and leave the tiled hearth as is. It matches the floor, so that’s not really an issue.

Terracotta tile top on hearth that spans the width of the room. The brick matches the floor tile. carlaaston.com

The issue for me was, why paint the fireplace at all?

First of all, she already has that terracotta color on the floors, so it works with that. It’s a color that works well in her living room. She has worked it into the color scheme there and it looks good.

Secondly, what would painting it achieve? Would it lighten the space?

Not really, the brick is not a dark color and the walls are light. The big tv is dominating the fireplace and if the brick was white it would really stand out more. The fireplace brick would kind of disappear into the light colored wall and the black rectangle tv, the black fp box and the wood mantel would stand out even more.

I’m not sure that is a better look for this space. Matter of fact, I’m sure it isn’t.

Painting the brick isn’t the answer here.

I think what this fireplace wall needs here is a little embellishment. It needs some decorating!

Since the other windows have window treatments, it makes sense to treat these windows too. I wouldn’t do drapery, but a Roman shade at the top.

They don’t have to be operable, they could be faux Romans as a fabric valance. The fabric doesn’t have to match the other drapery fabric, it can be something that mixes the soft turquoise and terracotta color. I like a pattern of some kind on these.

Then, I’d add a window seat cushion on each side and some pillows. That will soften the area and make a more complete, intentionally designed look for this wall. It also makes that space usable.

Who doesn’t love a little window seat? :-)

There are local workrooms in all major cities, and you can even try Etsy for sewing projects. Decorator’s Best has lots of designer fabrics and you can contract the work through shops on Etsy.

You can even go through a designer to help complete this look. :-)

Quick sketch to show how fireplace wall can be enhanced with decor. carlaaston.com

Here’s it is colored up. My markers are really strong colors, but you get the picture.

I like leaving the brick fireplace as is in this room. It adds color, texture and ties into the existing color scheme nicely. The windows just needed a little decorating to make this all feel more intentional.

See more from my July Instagram Q&As below. Are you following me on Instagram so you can ask a question in my next Q&A?