We’re back with a fireplace update following yesterday’s post about removing our old, not-baby-safe wood stove. This is only the second step in what will be a multi-stage makeover, and for now we focused on an affordable short-term refresh that would make the space feel cleaner and safer while we plan bigger changes.
This quick facelift took about five hours of work spread across the day, with drying time between coats, and cost just $8.03 for the paint we bought. We used leftover Olympic Premium No-VOC primer and white semi-gloss trim paint we had on hand, plus a quart of Benjamin Moore’s Temptation (color-matched to the Olympic No-VOC paint) for the firebox. Primer isn’t always required, but we had it available so we used it to ensure better coverage on the brick.
The orange paneling around the fireplace looks intense, but it’s amazing how paint can change a room. In our first house we transformed a dark den with paneling and brick simply by priming and painting, and we expect similar results here once we tackle the surrounding walls and trim. Picture soft wall paint paired with glossy white beams and trim to match the semi-gloss finish on the fireplace—clean, light, and cohesive.
About the mirror and candles in the firebox: those were staged for photos and aren’t Clara-safe. They were a quick decorative touch to make the fireplace look finished for the post. For everyday life, we expect the firebox to become a favorite hiding spot for pillows, stuffed animals, books, and whatever else Clara decides to stash there. The new nook should be a safe, low-risk place for her to drop small toys or even curl up with a stuffed giraffe she named herself.
If you’ve painted brick before, you know it’s a straightforward process; we’ve painted two fireplaces in our first house and were thrilled with the results. Below is a concise recap of the steps we took for this current fireplace so you can replicate the process if you’d like to try it yourself.
- Closed the damper and declared the fireplace inoperable for now. If you plan to burn wood, do not paint the firebox; instead look for high-heat paint options suitable for fireplaces.
- Thoroughly cleaned the firebox, exterior brick, mantel, and hearth with soap and water to remove grease and ash (we used Dr. Bronner’s diluted in water).
- Allowed everything to dry completely before priming.
Priming and painting:
- Primed the firebox using Olympic Premium No-VOC Primer. Since we won’t be burning wood, painting the firebox was fine for our needs.
- Painted the firebox with Benjamin Moore’s Temptation in a satin finish (color-matched to the Olympic No-VOC paint).
- Taped off the surrounding wall to protect it while working with a brush on the craggy brick.
- Caulked the large joint between the tile hearth and the firebox so the transition would read seamless after painting.
- Filled particularly deep crevices in the brick with caulk to reduce shadowed gaps and chipped-looking areas once painted.
- Primed the brick surround, the wood mantel, and even the tiled hearth before painting to help the paint adhere and to improve the finish.
- Applied two coats of Olympic Premium No-VOC semi-gloss white to the brick surround, mantel, and tiled hearth. We like the all-white look, but you can create contrast by choosing a different color for the mantel or hearth depending on your ultimate design plan.
- On the tiled hearth we applied three thin, even coats of Safecoat Acrylacq, a low-VOC alternative to polyurethane, to protect the finish. Certain polyurethanes can yellow over time, so we stick with Safecoat Acrylacq or Minwax Water-Based Polycrylic in Clear Gloss when we need a protective topcoat.
Yes, we painted terracotta tile on the floor before, and it held up for years in our previous home—even with foot traffic and kids playing. While painting ceramic tile that sees regular use isn’t a pro-recommended permanent solution, it can be a very effective temporary fix. Terra cotta’s porous, matte surface tends to grab paint well, which helped the finish last longer than we expected. That said, a tiled hearth in a wet area like a bathroom is a different story because painted tiles can become slippery when wet.
Eventually we’ll replace the hearth tile and possibly retile or clad the entire surround when we’re ready for a bigger renovation. For now, this simple update brightened the room, made the fireplace child-friendly, and bought us time to save for a larger project down the road.
Have you painted brick or primed-and-painted tile in your home? How did it hold up? We’d love to hear about your experiences with short-term fixes that turned out to be long-term solutions.
