Hello friends!
My fireplace and built-ins got a makeover this summer, and I still stop and smile every time I walk through the room. Little room history for you, this room was intended to be the ‘family room’. But it’s laid out so poorly – long and narrow, with wide floor to ceiling windows, an even wider entrance into my kitchen, and one wall for the fireplace and built-in book cases. Make sure you read on to see how the room looked before I got a hold of it with my paint brush!
Here’s what I used:
Built-Ins:
- Primer – ZINNSER Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer for all Surfaces
- Paint – Benjamin Moore Satin Imprevo Pastel Base in Misty Grey
I used two coats of the primer and 3 coats of paint. What sold me on the primer was that I didn’t need to strip and sand the wood before I applied the primer. WHAT?! I know, I know, I was skeptical at first, too. Today, I am so happy I used it. I’ve gone the traditional stripping and sanding route before and it is so incredibly time intensive.
Fireplace:
- BEHR Premium Plus Ultra Stain-Blocking Paint & Primer In One (tinted to the same Misty Grey color from Benjamin Moore)
I almost bought another product when the friendly paint pro at Home Depot told me that their BEHR primer and paint would do the job AND he could tint it for me to match the built-ins. No prep work involved. I literally just started brushing on paint. You can see from the photos below that the application is not perfect, but I wanted to see the little specks of dark brick peek through. I like it. I think it adds texture.
At a DIY blogger conference, I met the team from D.Lawless Hardware. I spotted these Antique Milk White glass pulls and I made a beeline for their display. It was love at first sight. I wish I had taken a photo of the table covered with beautiful glass pulls in every color imaginable. GORG-EOUS. When I got home, I ordered them and much to my surprise they were less than $5 per pull!
Here is “The Before”…
And “The During” photos…
Now That It’s Done
It was surprisingly easier to cover than I thought. I wasn’t expecting two coats to cover the brick like it did. The built-ins still look shiny and lovely two years later. I’m happy with my paint choices. There’s nothing I would change if I did it all over again.
I love looking at this every day. Every time I see these bright, white, happy walls, I smile. Makes me wish I would have painted them years ago. I used to give this part of my house a dirty look every time I walked through the room. This was definitely one of those projects that made me realize how much the look of my home affects how I feel when I’m home. I hope this inspired you to pull the trigger and tackle that paint project you’ve been thinking about in your own house. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Your built-ins and fireplace look so bright & beautiful! I’m stopping by from the Outside the Box party 🙂
Hi Emily, thanks for stopping by and the kind words! I know, they brighten up the room so much 🙂 Happy blogging!
Your fireplace looks beautiful! I love how bright and fresh it looks.
Thanks Joy! It’s amazing what a few cans of white paint can do 🙂 Glad you like it!
Wow! What a transformation! Love it!
Thanks Julie! Sometimes even I don’t recognize this room anymore it is so different now, haha 🙂 Happy blogging!
Such a gorgeous makeover Jen! The paint makes such an incredible difference! Thanks for linking up to the Pretty Preppy Party.
Hey lady! Thanks for hosting 🙂 We need do that wine night and see each other’s homes soon! Take care 🙂
It looks awesome, Tyler! We’re going to feature it as one of our favorites from the Pretty Preppy Party tomorrow at 11 Magnolia Lane. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Christy, I just saw it and I am so excited that you featured my room 🙂 I’m doing a little happy dance right now. Thank you, thank you!
This is one of my favorite makeovers! Great job lady! Thanks for linking up with Found & Foraged!
Hi Tyler! Just wanted to let you know I’m featuring your makeover on Found & Foraged tonight =)
Hi – Love the blog! Wanted to know where you got the large mirror on the fireplace – it looks great!
Hi Donna! Thanks for the mirror love. I got it from Pottery Barn a couple years ago. It was total love at first sight and I couldn’t leave the store without it!
I love this! It looks AHMAZing! I know how refreshing it feels to not have all that blah brown dragging your spirit down anymore! I rented a house that was brown everything! Trim, paneled walls, floors, cabinets, doors, fireplace, brick…it was awful! My landlord let me repaint everything except the brick fireplace surround and mantel. I did what you did and painted all the wood and cabinetry white & the walls a lighter color. I felt like a weight had been lifted after that. It was such a different house by the time we left…fresher, brighter. Even my landlord was in awe at that difference painting it made. She just thanked me over & over every time she saw it.
I thought I’d have to read a book for a discovery like this!