Updating Your Brick Fireplace With Paint

Does Your Fireplace Need a Boost?

Now that cold weather has arrived, think about interior updates to make you love your home more!

Have a look at how paint can transform your fireplace 

into a focal point you're thrilled with.

Here's a first-hand makeover:
My brother and his wife bought a cabin in northern Minnesota.
One of the projects Sandi tackled was the lower-level fireplace.
She followed the instructions from Lowe's and it turned out beautifully.
Now the fireplace is a pretty focal point that works with the look she wanted to achieve.

Originally the fireplace had variegated brown bricks, making it look dated.

 Nearly finished . . . 

Finished and looking great!

Lowe's indicates that the skill level is Beginner, the estimated time is a weekend, 

and best of all - it's inexpensive.

Lowe's also has a link for Customer Stories that have been uploaded -
you'll find customer suggestions, paint, questions answered, etc.
Another great resource to check if you're thinking of doing this.

Here are more before and afters.What do you think?
 Would you paint your fireplace?

How to Paint Your Fireplace Brick Surround

From Eleven Magnolia Lane

How to Paint a Brick Fireplace

from Addicted 2 Decorating

Painted Brick Fireplace

Fresh Crush

This may be one of my favorites.  Like so many projects

there were some hiccups along the way.

Visit the blog to see what inspired the wood-slice insert.
She also offers some good advice!

Is a paint project in your future?

Wood floors - to Paint or Not to Paint, That is the Question

Painting Hardwood Floors.

Would you?  Could you?  Should you?

I love hardwood floors and have them in about a third of my house.  

That is a picture of my living room floor, above.

They're not in very good shape though.  

My plan has always been to have them repaired and refinished someday.  

Instead of the oak finish, I've imagined them stained a darker walnut color, 

a look I love, like this picture below.

But then I saw a picture in House Beautiful and my brain froze.  I LOVED the look.

Another House Beautiful example.

Via My Scandinavian Home

And this!  Perhaps it's the color that has me swooning - apparently I'm into turquoise in a big way.  But this has it all for a kid's room - the adorable painted ants, 

the owl wallpaper and that ceiling!  

The Realtor in me is being cautious, telling me not to do it.

  The ready-for-a-change self is saying to go for it!

Would you paint your hardwood floors?

If you're looking for your next home, give Steve or Judy a call.

Steve - 319-551-3375   Judy 319-551-3170

Painted Countertops - A Must Do or Oh No!

Would you try painting your countertops?

If your dream countertops aren't in the budget right
now this might be a good option to get you by.

Here's my favorite update, from Little Farmstead;
it's simple and classic.

 Before: 
Dark green laminate

After:
Clean, subtle white

Julie explains the steps for painting laminate when
she painted the buffet in her dining room.
Before:

 After:

Basic steps:
Clean the laminate well
Sand
Paint
(she used latex paint)

Seal
(she recommends Peel Stop Clear Binding Sealer by Zinsser, which doesn't yellow like polyurethane)

You can also buy a countertop kit (such as Rust-Oleum) which is meant to replicate the look of granite.  Kits vary in size and price depending on your kitchen.  They have a strong, epoxy-finish top coat which they indicate is stain and water resistant.

via Home Depot - $148.00/qt.

Here is a before and after paint transformation using the RUST-OLEUM Countertop  kit from the blog Project Goble.

Before:

After:

The DIY home-owners raved about the countertop transformation:"Did we mention how much we LOVE our countertops?!? It was totally worth the time, mess, and effort we put into transforming them."

~ Allison Goble from Project Goble

Would you try painting your counters?

A Must-do . . . or Oh-no? Peel and Stick Reclaimed Wood for Walls

Peel and Stick Wood Planks for Walls
A Must-do . . .  or Oh-no?

photo via Stikwood 

I'm always on the lookout for an easy DIY project that has big impact.

And also something that won't tragically destroy my house when 

I'm tired of it and attempt to remove it.

I found lots of blogs featuring these "Peel and Stick" reclaimed wood planks.

They're beautiful - I love the look.  Installation sounds fairly easy.  Reviews I read said to plan the layout carefully, the adhesive is strong, so it's not easily taken off and rearranged.

Alas, peel and stick does not equate to being easily removed when you're tired of them.

So be prepared for serious wall-repair when you've had enough.

The product shown here is Stikwood.

Here's what the site says:

Made from reclaimed and sustainable woods sourced from various locations in the U.S., Stikwood products boast the natural beauty that only time and the forces of nature can provide. With its remarkably simple Peel and Stik installation process, Stikwood brings the look of wood planking within reach as a fast and cost-effective interior design solution.

There is a multitude of options and finishes to choose from -

reclaimed wood to reclaimed sports floors.

photo via DudeIWantThat.com

Interesting site to check out in your spare time.  Just saying.

photo via Stikwod

I can't help but wonder if wood plank walls will be the future Z-Brick of today.

Which almost universally makes buyers cringe when house hunting.

via GardenWeb

What do you think?  

Would you give it a try in your house?

photo via Salt Lake Magazine