A dirty and tired orange brick fireplace gets a brightened up, weathered lime washed brick makeover, plus a full tutorial to do it yourself.
Welp… I finally worked up the nerve and faced my fears, y’all.
The dirty orange brick fireplace is GONE! I mean, I didn’t go all dragon-level destruction on it (who watched GoT last night?!), the fireplace is still there and all, but it’s looking waaaaay different.
See that sooty brick action? I wanted to love it. I really did. And I tried my best to accept it the way it was.
I sat out with good intentions thinking I’d just scrub it down like crazy and see how I felt about it after.
All it takes is a spray bottle, some white vinegar, a heavy duty scrub brush, and lots and lots of elbow grease.
Just mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part water in a spray bottle, saturate the dirty brick with it, and scrub scrub scrub. Good as new brick!
But then I still wasn’t totally in love.
For years, I’ve been pinning German smeared and white washed and lime washed brick left and right on Pinterest telling myself that one day I was actually going to find the perfect brick project to try out one of them.
But German smear seemed a tad more complicated than I was willing to attempt. And white washing just didn’t quite have enough texture. As much as I didn’t really love the brick, I still wanted a little of it showing. (If you are up to the German smear challenge though, here’s a great tutorial for how to do that.)
So lime wash was the happy in-between.
Supplies Used: (Some affiliate links are provided below for convenience.)
- Romabio Classico Limewash in Bianco White
- 2 spray bottles (one for cleaning with 1:1 vinegar solution, one filled with plain water for limewashing)
- White vinegar
- Heavy duty scrub brush
- Mixing bucket
- Power drill with paddle drill bit (or stir stick will work too)
- Masonry brush
- Plenty of clean cotton rags
- Frog Tape (or whatever painter’s tape you prefer)
- Plastic drop cloth
I had no idea there was a difference between white washing and lime washing before doing lots of research on the two when trying to figure out my big plan for this fireplace. White wash uses paint and water to create an evenly lightened brick finish; lime wash uses slaked lime and water to create a more coarse, chalky weathered look and was used for centuries in Europe before paint was invented.
So I was all, “Lime wash, you have my heart.”
I found this lime wash called Romabio at Home Depot when looking around for the best way to tackle the job, and they had a website with a gallery full of gorgeous fireplace and house exterior makeovers and some helpful video tutorials to ease me into it. (This is in no way sponsored. The Romabio people have no idea I exist. I just really liked how this whole project went down.)
This is what the lime looked like straight out of the container, just this goopy putty-like stuff… ya know, very technical terms. 😉
1. I dumped the entire liter into a mixing bucket and followed the instructions on the back of the Romabio container, adding equal parts water. I didn’t have a paddle drill bit to attach to my drill, so I went old school mixing it up with a paint stir stick for quite a while. The drill bit would work a whole lot faster though.
2. I taped off our mantel and hardwood floor with the Frog Tape and put down plastic drop cloth for extra protection first. (And starting with clean brick is a must, so make sure you go through those steps I shared above to remove any soot.)
3. Then, using a spray bottle filled with just water, I sprayed down all of the brick to keep it damp.
4. And then brush brush brushed the lime wash all over the brick, making sure the brick stayed damp as I worked.
Once it was all brushed, I let the lime wash sit for about 30 minutes until it was mostly dry to the touch.
And then the real action could start.
5. Using the spray bottle of water again, I distressed one brick at a time, spritzing it with 1-2 squirts of water, and blotting and rubbing with the rags to remove as much of the lime wash as I wanted. (This video is very helpful to show the whole process.)
It was a long process of spraying and blotting and rubbing, and there’s really no science to it other than just work away at it until you get the look you want.
Then voila! Lime washed brick. I’m sure it would have been an entirely different look if I had only brushed the lime wash on the mortar or only on some of the bricks instead of all of them. Part of me wishes I had tried that first just out of curiosity.
But I still love how it turned out.
At some point, we plan to update the gas logs already in the firebox, clean it out entirely, scrub it down, and paint the inside with a high-heat paint. Until that point though, I’m not going to mess with it.
It’s taken me a while to get used to, like catching yourself in the mirror after getting a super duper short haircut. But it has brightened up our living room so much and finally feels like it fits.
So with the newly fancied-up fireplace, the window seat, and the fresh paint job, this living room is looking pretty much finished!
We still have minute details like light switch covers (while we get electrical work done all over the house), and we still have a bare wall begging for art on one side of the room. But this spot is definitely my favorite one in the house now.
If you caught the news on my Instagram feed last week, you might already know too that Better Homes and Gardens is coming to do a photo shoot in this room with Robert and me in a few days. Whaaaat?!
I’ll be sharing all kinds of sneaks about that on my Instagram Stories this Friday.
And since I’ve been cleaning this place top to bottom in preparation, I’ve been washing all of our IKEA sofa and chair slipcovers, which has reminded me to give y’all a status report about those. Spoiler alert: They’re the cat’s meow and bee’s knees and dog’s pajamas all rolled up into one.
If you want to know about any of the other projects that have gone into this living room so far, you can check out all of them here:
- Modern Colonial Living Room Design Plan
- High Contrast Paint Makeover
- IKEA Farlov Sofa and Stocksund Chairs Review
- Botany Art Gallery Wall
- DIY Window Seat from a Kitchen Cabinet
And if you want to know about any of the sources we’ve used in this space, here’s the full list so far:
- Wall color: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee in eggshell
- Trim color: Benjamin Moore Simply White in semigloss
- Door/window color: Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron in semigloss
- White slipcovered sofa
- Gray slipcovered armchairs
- Ceiling fan
- Wicker trunk
- End table
- Coffee table (similar)
- Blue overdyed rug
- Blue pillows
- Ivory and metallic pillows
- Cream woven pillow
- Hyacinth tray
- Round basket (similar)
- Lemon floral arrangements
- Gray striped throw blanket
- Cream knit throw blanket
- White curtains
Can you believe this before and after? I mean…
Now that we’re creeping into September, I’m just itching to decorate this room for fall. But I think I’m going to sit and relish this view for a little while longer. It’s taken so much determination to get here, and I’m so thankful that Robert, Olivia, and I can finally enjoy it.
So all of this begs the question… are you Team Orange Brick? Or Team Lime Washed Brick? Or are you somewhere in the white wash / German smear camp? Seriously, who knew there were so many opinions to be had about brick?
Dianne Gingrich says
August 28, 2017 at 8:14 amWow, Lauren. That fireplace looks amazing!
I love it.
Good luck with your photo shoot.
PC says
August 28, 2017 at 8:27 amLimewash!!!!
Brittany Serowski says
August 28, 2017 at 9:00 amLauren, the transformation in your living room is unbelievable. I am all the heart eyes over everything you have done in your new house! Loving this new style you have switched too. You do it so well!!
Tiffany says
August 28, 2017 at 9:15 amIt looks great, Lauren! What are your fave cotton rags to use for misc projects?
Miep says
August 28, 2017 at 11:04 amLime wach for sure ???
Miep says
August 28, 2017 at 11:06 amLime wash ???
Francine says
August 28, 2017 at 11:29 amWow.. you really did an incredible job here.. love it, and it looks spectacular in the room
Mary says
August 28, 2017 at 12:34 pmIt looks so much nicer now Lauren and in keeping with the tone of the room.
Tori says
August 28, 2017 at 1:02 pmGreat job! It looks fantastic! ?
Linda says
August 28, 2017 at 3:22 pmLauren! Congratulations on the Better Homes and Garden photo shoot! You certainly deserve it. ENJOY! The fire place looks amazing – as does the whole room. I’ve only been following you a short time – maybe six months or more – but you are now my favorite! So pleased for you. You are blessed.
Nancy says
August 28, 2017 at 3:24 pmThe change on the fireplace is gorgeous. It looked like a lot of hard work, but it really makes the room. Great job again!
Sue says
August 28, 2017 at 3:26 pmLime wash was the way to go for this brick. The before and after is amazing,love the look.
Suzanne C says
August 28, 2017 at 3:49 pmBeautiful! I wish our fireplace had brick so I could do this. But alas, we have 1980’s black tile with white grout. (Yes, it is as tacky as it sounds.) I keep imagining it was put in by a guy wearing a Miami Vice pink-tee-shirt-and-white-jacket combo, thinking it would look good with his waterbed.
Congratulations on the BHG photo shoot!! Please let us know what issue it’s going to be in.
Debbie says
August 28, 2017 at 4:05 pmWhat a room transformation! I love what you have done to the brick! It definitely helps brighten up the area! Beautiful!
Katie says
August 28, 2017 at 4:29 pmTeam Limewash all the way! It looks gorgeous!
Donna Gonzalez says
August 28, 2017 at 4:36 pmThat brick looks so great. Totally worth all the work you put into it.
Ivory says
August 28, 2017 at 4:51 pmAs always, you come up with great ideas that’s absolutely fabulous. I love it!
Lee says
August 28, 2017 at 5:02 pmOh Lauren! The fireplace looks awesome. This product is just what I’ve been looking for to update the floor-to-ceiling fireplace in my family room. Thank you! Now I just have to get up the nerve to go for it!
Lelia says
August 28, 2017 at 5:04 pmI’d have to say I’m team lime washed brick after seeing how you transformed your fireplace! It looks fantastic! We have a brick fireplace in our home in Italy but I’m not sure I have the heart to try the lime wash since the red/orange brick is so typical and traditional to Italian homes. 🙂
Lori says
August 28, 2017 at 5:23 pmLimewash! It looks great!
Kristy says
August 28, 2017 at 6:55 pmSo, so gorgeous!
Deb Kelley says
August 28, 2017 at 7:17 pmGirl, is there anything you CAN’T do? Seriously love it!!! 🙂
Deb :
Crystal says
August 28, 2017 at 7:32 pmawesome. I love lime wash on walls and now I love it on brick. I think the lime wash in lieu of the German Schmear technique was the right call. The Schmear is much heavier looking and not as elegant, yet cozy as your room. So bravo! Well done and other words of congrats!
Peggie Crist says
August 28, 2017 at 7:38 pmLooks amazing! Your hard work was definitely worth it!
Norma says
August 28, 2017 at 8:21 pmI envy anyone with as much taste and talent you have. I am in awe of the difference between the before and after. If I had 1/4 of your taste I would be a happy camper.
I look at what you did, and look at my living room, and wish I could transform it to look like an after, but no matter what I do, it still looks like a before.
I look forward to your blog, hoping some of you will rub off on me. Fireplace is amazing. You deserve BHG.
Norma
Ginger says
August 28, 2017 at 9:44 pmIt looks lovely, but I have to admit I prefer the rustic brick. I just loved how it popped with your white walls and black doors. But I’m out of the norm because I love things like old brick and cognac leather;)
MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says
August 28, 2017 at 10:33 pmLauren, your fireplace is just so beautiful! I love it! It was lots of work for you but just look at it now! Enjoy your lovely room!
Blessings!
Cindy N. says
August 28, 2017 at 10:39 pmOoooh, that is Lovely !! Job well-done !! But, where were you when I needed you?
: )
Bron says
August 29, 2017 at 3:47 amThat looks fabulous! the entire room is just beautiful. sooooooo my cup of tea! love your work gurl x
Krista says
August 29, 2017 at 11:47 amBeautiful – the washed brick looks perfect!
Grandy says
August 29, 2017 at 12:11 pmWow! Just wow! Absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing!
Carol says
August 29, 2017 at 12:18 pmThe room had a very nice layout to begin with that I really liked and now it is Beautiful!! I was going to say it was great enough to be in a magazine and fortunately someone else realized that too! Congratulations!!
Brenda Johnson says
August 29, 2017 at 10:13 pmYou should be so proud of your work, it looks amazing! The whole room is great…beautiful!
Marie says
August 29, 2017 at 11:28 pmJust beautiful.
Kelly Mahan says
August 30, 2017 at 2:15 pmWow, your fireplace is looks so beautiful now! I simply love it. Thank you for sharing the details with us!
Chelsea @ Making Manzanita says
August 30, 2017 at 3:04 pmI love how this turned out. I’ve always loved the lime wash look too! I’m a total snob when it comes to painting brick. It seriously BREAKS MY HEART every time I see someone painting over beautiful brick. I totally get that it is not some people’s style, but that paint covers the brick pretty much forever and ever. I love the compromise that this lime wash technique provides. You can still see the brick underneath, but it fits in with your style better and brightens up the room. Bravo friend!!
michele says
August 30, 2017 at 4:07 pmyour new-to -you home is just lovely…full of great ideas…thanks for sharing with us!
Sheri says
September 2, 2017 at 7:08 amIt really did brighten up the room! We’re one town over from you in Ft. Mill (I think we have a common friend) and are mid-reno a Georgian brick, circa mid-80’s. I feel ya on everything you’re doing to stay respectful of the house style but modern it up a bit. Same. We white-washed our basement fireplace and never looked back – it was one of the first things we did. Loving your style
Lisa R says
September 8, 2017 at 12:38 amI’ve been totally trying to convince my hubby to let me do this. Sadly I’m the captain of creepy team orange… I’ve been trying to find someone who has “darkened” a few random bricks before painting or whitewashing. Being I have a full floor to ceiling with raised hearth wall of orange, I don’t know how it’ll look without some “texture”. I guess worst comes to worst we could always cover it with wood and trim!
Kay says
September 8, 2017 at 7:24 pmLove that look! The whole living room transformation is so lovely. Enjoy your blog
Lori says
September 9, 2017 at 8:44 pmThe lime wash is lovely. I would guess the outside of this fireplace is brick too. Maybe try the German smear out there.
Bobbie says
September 15, 2017 at 10:20 amIs this color not the brighter white option? Thinking of doing this to my 70’s era rock wall around my fireplace. Huge stones layed in ugly dark grey exterior-looking mortar. Hate it. I’ve been thing of German schmering thickly over it, so that the stone is barely sticking out, but might try this first, less work!
Lauren says
September 15, 2017 at 5:01 pmYes, this is the brighter white color. It is much less work than German Schmear, I’m sure. It took a while to clean the brick, but the process really wasn’t at all difficult. 🙂
Donna Collins says
October 11, 2017 at 8:42 pmI just finished doing mine following your tutorial and I love how it turned out! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Kathie from IL says
January 6, 2018 at 1:10 amYou ZZ plant is huge. I am jealous. You are neglecting it just as you should!!
Lauren says
January 6, 2018 at 9:21 amHaha! I wish I had that green of a thumb! It’s fake. 😉 I found it at TJ Maxx last year.
Sharon Katz says
July 1, 2018 at 6:43 pmBeautiful job and terrific post. Thank you for sharing. You’ve helped me decide to limewash and not whitewash nor german schmear my interior brick wall. My only question is: How long did it take you to do just your fireplace. Since mine is an entire wall, I’m nervous it’ll be a bigger job than I can handle. Thank you for any information you can give me.
Lauren says
July 1, 2018 at 6:54 pmGlad it helped! It took me about 3 hours from start to finish on this one, and only about an hour and a half on our other fireplace. Once you get the hang of it, it doesn’t take quite as long.
Crystal says
July 16, 2018 at 11:45 amI have a brick fireplace that I want to lime wash but my brick is not smooth,it is textured. I wonder if this lime wash will work on textured brick.??
Lauren says
July 17, 2018 at 1:16 pmYes! It should still work on textured.
Linda says
July 31, 2018 at 9:22 amHi Lauren – a little limewash crazy inside and out (as I wrote before, I don’t like the outside). But I do love the fireplace. I have a natural brick one myself and love the orange and red colors in it. so am leaving it be. My only suggestion on this redo is to fix the bottom that the hearth is sitting on. Finish it off with a black painted wood moulding strip – or something of your choosing to finish the bottom of it. Then it would look completed. I don’t like seeing the raw edges there. It detracts from the finished look like you aren’t quite done yet.