“I live in my own little world. But its ok, they know me here.”
-Lauren Myracle
The brick is in…and boy I have got some questions for you!
I’m an Obsess-y Bessie about this stuff…but that’s okay ’cause you know me here, right? 😉
Okay. Here goes. (gulp)
The mortar wash dried heavier and lighter than I had expected, so I’m having a teeeeeeensy bit of washers remorse today.
I think.
Honestly, I’m not sure.
Sometimes I’ll look in there and think I love it! Then, I’ll think about my inspiration photo and I’m just not sure. What do you think? The mortar is still pretty powdery (apparently it takes 3 full days to completely harden), so there’s still time to knock some of it off with a stiff wire brush if we need to. I also noticed the mortar man did messier grout lines on the right than he did on the left, so that has me all Bessied-out, too. I’m drawn to the messier grout lines, so I guess I wish he had done them like that on the left. Maybe it’s not to late to add more mortar to that side? Gosh, that sounds a little freaky, doesn’t it? I don’t know about that.
Maybe I just need to live with it for a few days? Maybe I’ll like it more when the mantel is in place?
Hmmmmm. I think it’s the tone that’s got me the most fidgety. But maybe the color of the plywood next to it is throwing me off? I visualized something a little more tan, I guess.
Let’s do this. Let’s look at a mock-up of what it will *kind of* look like when we’re done adding the mantel:
Does that help?
Keep in mind, that’s not the actual mantel we’re using (it’s just one I found on Google images), but ours will be white and will have corbels, so you get the gist. Are we moving in the right direction? Do I need to wire brush something, paint something, or tile over something? Do I need to wait until the mantel is on to decide?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
XO,
*Update: Kevin’s on his way home from Lowes with a wire brush and he’s not afraid to use it.
*Edited to add: That’s not true. He’s totally afraid to use it. He likes the brick the way it is and wishes his wife wasn’t such an Obsess-y Bessie. 😉
I really like it!
You are obviously not happy with it, so I would knock some of the white off. I like color and contrast and when you posted those mock-up pics back when you were trying to choose, I liked the reddish brick the best, but that’s just me. 🙂
Finish the rest of it first you silly girl! It will all change then!
You sound just like me when we did our fireplace!! I say, go with your gut. You have an amazing sense of style Layla, go with your instinct. Personally, from these photos, I would probably have Kevin use that brush a bit while you have time ( you can always tone it done it later if you decide you like it later). Everything looks “light”, so more contrast may be good here. I have no doubt, when it’s all said and done, it will be amazing! Good luck!
I agree with Andi. Knock some off. Then if you don’t like it add some more. It’s going to be fabulous whatever you do. You are my inspiration 🙂 We copied a fireplace makeover like the one you did for Keith and I LOVE how it turned out.
Use that wire brush! And make the grout lines match from left to right and let the brick shine through some.
Personally, I think the brick looks fine. However, I don’t really care for the proposed white on the plywood. To me, it just doesn’t look good with the brick. Each to their own.
You have a great sense of style. I just know whatever way you go it will be amazing just like the rest of your home.
I’d wire brush it lightly to bring out some of the brick color. Just taking off enough white to enhance the wooden color of the mantle, I think, would look cool. Just my humble opinion, tho.
Have a great day!
i personally would wait until everything else in in place before you decide. there is no magic timeline that says you have to decide before everything else is in place.
I like it!! Stop obsessing ?
No one else has mentioned this so I may be way off base but my first impression is there is too much texture/color going on here. I’d knock some of the wash off the brick, giving yourself time to rethink that later; paint the plywood the same color as the upper and lower wood features or perhaps a shade lighter, giving it more cohesiveness. Individually, the features are terrific but it seems a bit too busy as it is, detracting from the impact of individual features. Love the corbels but they seem a bit “lost” in the mix with everything that’s going on here. Do more blending of color so they’ll become a center of interest rather than an afterthought. In any event, go with your instincts. If you’re not comfortable with it now, it will bother you forever. Start with knocking off some of the wash on the bricks, then just leave it all for a week or more to mull it over.
I think if you truly loved it you wouldn’t want to change it!
If it was in my house (which I totally wish it was) I would knock off a little before its too late. Personally I think it would look a little “sharper” with more contrast. As it is now I’m afraid you might lose the bricks once the white mantle is installed.
I think it looks great! Very faithful to the finish on the inspiration photo bricks. I like the irregularity of the grout and the fact that it’s just in that one area–it goes well with this type of rough finish. It’s that authenticity in imperfection that makes it really beautiful. When you add the white mantel to the composition, the total picture is really a knock out.
I would use the wire brush and knock just a bit of the whitewash off…although it really does look just fine in the pictures. I just like a little more of the brick shining through.
I think it looks pretty amazing!
Agree with the others who say knock a little bit off while you can. It will give a bit more texture and dimension to the brick,while maintaining the cohesiveness with the painted surround. And it will give you peace of mind! Good luck and I look forward to seeing the finished product.
I love your style, but if you’re like me, if you don’t have a good feeling from the start it doesn’t usually grow on you! Personally, I think you need to tone down the white, some brick showing through would give more contrast.
Layla darling, YOU have the best design instincts of anyone I know . . . . Which is why I love following you . . . You need to trust them . . . I think Kev should use the wire brush to give more of a contrast to the brick . . . But that’s just me! GO FOR IT! XO
For what it’s worth — I think if you use the wire brush and get rid of some of the mortar, the contrast will be increased and you’ll be happier with the results. I love what you’re doing and can’t wait to see it finished!
I say you guys are skilled enough to use the wire brush! As far as the grout, I like it’s imperfection. It is more “hand labor” looking. Also, I love the warmth logs would bring on either side (like your inspiration pic shows) when you get to that point. This all looks great with the rug too! I think if it bugs you now, you can be certain it will bug you later. I think that is how you are…and that’s okay.
It doesn’t look right … maybe too many different colors & textures. The brick is definitely too white.
IF YOU ARE ON. FENCE NOW, YOU ALWAYS WILL BE UNLESS YOU MOVE! My thought, wire brush, there isn’t enuff contrast, I think that’s what’s bugging you.
Don’t THINK yourself into liking it. You are vascillating because you arent listening to your first impression. You are intuitive, are you not!? Yes, we all are. But you’re ignoring your intuition by trying to like it. Easy-peasy!
Anything can be fixed. If you are fearful, MOST CONTRACTORS take pride in their work. Call him, or brush away. ?
Layla,
You have absolutely wonderful style and whenever I see your home I wish I had a farmhouse style so that being said I agree with those who said that you know what you like and you are so in tune to your vision. No harm done is scrapping off a bit of mortar so that the contrast is a little stronger. You could always slap more mortar on later if you don’t like it but I am betting you will like it. Your instincts are so good.
Add your own touch to it by using the wire brush. Are you going to paint the wood trim or add tile? Too many shades of white could be distracting – ? – but if that’s YOUR style, then you go with it. Your gut seems to be saying it’s not quite what you want, so go ahead and make it Layla-esque <3
Brush some off, for sure! When I first saw it I thought, ” this isn’t quite like the original vision.” And that’s fine, but I think brushing off some will help it look more like What you want. I’m the same way, quite the Obsessey Bessie! 🙂
Hi Layla, use the wire brush and go with your gut!
I think it looks fantastic. Vintage and imperfections re a plus.
I’d take the wire brush to it now while it hasn’t set up too much. Don’t worry about being so critical. There are those of us (me included) that just know what we want.
Nothing wrong with that—God made us that way, so it can’t be bad.
Brush some off. You know you want to. 😉
Bessie aka Layla-
It’s beautiful! Please finish out the trim before Kevins wire brush sees the light of day. You may feel differently about it then. I personally love it the way it is!
Kristi
ill be honest – i like your inspiration photo more than what you have now. i liked that you could see some of the natural brick color in the inspiration photo but it was a white washed kinda version. this to me looks like painted brick. i think youve lost all semblance of the original color unfortunately so it doesnt give quite the contrast to the white mantle. so i would see if you can brush some off and lighten the painted effect but thats just my opinion.
Use the wire brush a bit. It does look too heavy….
I’m like you – I can tell immediately if it’s going to work for me or not. Follow your instincts and bust out the wire brush before your window of opportunity closes.
It’s looking great, but I’d brush a wee bit off. It would give the brick a gentler and older look.
My vote: Use the wire brush on it! I think you need a little of the red to show and it’s pretty much gone right now.
I’d like to see more of the brick character. I think that’s what gives it more depth/character/richness/vintag-ey feeling. I’d get after it with the brush.
I see your concerns. Don’t doubt yourself or your gut instinct. It is not my favorite look, it isn’t transparent or painted. I think it needs to pick one. I have a similar style fireplace and painted the brick in birch white by Dunn Edwards. It is perfect against the white trim. I know people have strong feelings about painting brick and I did too – 10 years I lived with the brick until I took the plunge and wish I had done it 10 years earlier.
You have the opportunity to knock some of the whitewash off now … you won’t once it completely sets up. I would take it back and show a little more of the original brick color.
As everyone has said, you have an amazing sense of style, You know your guts, and if your guts are saying — “um, I’m not sure about that” trust them.
IF, when everything is finished you don’t like the brick as exposed you could easily repaint the brick. It is always easier to add something then subtract it.
Brush it, brush it good! (a little Devo reference). 🙂
I’d try and wire brush off some of it to bring more of the brick tones through. I personally think it looks good, but can look GREAT like your inspirational photo if some was knocked off.
GOOD LUCK! I look forward to seeing what it looks like next! Either way it’ll be beautiful! 🙂
Follow your gut. I have the same brick at my house. In my opinion, it already has white mingled in. If you are questioning it already, listen to it. Trust me, I always do the same thing, then kick myself for not following my instincts! I think you should wire brush it, and make the mortar lines match.
I’ve got to go with knocking off some of the mortar. You can’t see the bricks enough. If you hate it you can always put it back on but it will be a pain to get off if you wait. So get Kevin working!
I would wire brush, but like everything you do I am sure it will end up looking wonderful regardless! But wire brush is my vote!
Totally use that wire brush. It didn’t look right when I first saw the pic. The white is too heavy. As others have said, go with your gut on this one.
Welp, I have read a lot of the comments and most do not say what I was or am going to say. I love it! If you don’t, though, you will not be happy with it. BUT, why do it now? I am absolutely sure you should finish the progect and then make your decision. If you do it now, and then finish…….you might go, ” OOPS, why did I do that?”
I would want more of the warmth of the brick to show. Also to contrast with the white once its up. Use that new wire brush Kevin! Love the overall look!
It looks like your inspiration picture to me. I think it looks good. Getting it all finished will make you feel different maybe. Also hyper focusing on it…as many of us do especially when the project consists of several different pieces…can cause us to stress over each decision.
You have a lot of experience with visual balance. I think the grout is a bit too heavy, it should resemble a wash, not a paste look. Get that wire brush out and get scrubbing!! The sides are not balanced as you mentioned, but I’m not sure I would have noticed that, but since you mentioned it, it was obvious. You have to enjoy that fireplace for many many years. Christmas photos and all, so fix it while you can!
I absolutely love your whole fireplace design-gorgeous!
Personally, I’d wire brush some of the ‘whiteness’ off. Make it a bit more worn looking. Right now it just looks too new. Once you get the mantle in it should look much better. It needs ‘roughing up’ in my opinion.
Beautiful! I love the washed look – wonderfully rustic looking. Thanks for sharing!