“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. 😉
Marianne in Mo.
Wire brush. Too much mortar wash, it totally is not like the inspiration photo brick. And I agree about the left and right sides being different, but I think it’s that the wash is heavier on the right. But I’m no mason!
antiquechase
this is exactly why I have lived with no mantle for like 7 years cause this would happen to me to! Personally, I would want my grout lines consistent on side to side. That just makes sense. Unless you were not a professional and did it yourself, then you could just say hey it’s ok. I think it sounds like you are unsatisfied and you can still act on that, I would.. but I would call the guy who did the work and have HIM fix it or knock off the wash… not you. Especially since the lines are off. Good luck and know that you are not alone with these types of things. Marcy
Paula
i love it! but, it would also be lovely with a bit less 😉 #nothelpful
Robin
I am in your mindset. I agree with the “little bit tanner” thought. That’s what you were drawn to from the start. It needs “mellowing” lol. Gut impression is usually right on. And…the fact that you keep “sneak-peaking” a look (hoping to convince yourself that this go round you’ll feel differently) is all the proof you need. I recently painted a room and the trim. I walked into it afterward and thought “The trim should have been dove white.” Family members including the hubs, thought it looked fine. No worries they said. But I couldn’t do it. The trim was repainted and now I LOVE IT. I no longer have to convince myself of that fact. So….if you can make changes after mantle is finished with no problems if you still don’t like–then wait. But if you have to do it now because you won’t be able to make that change–then go for it. Don’t settle. You won’t regret it.
Karlene
I’d be tempted to lightly wire brush, I think it would solve both issues. The brushing would let more warm brick color show through which tones down the white, and the mottled look would make the grout differences less noticeable. Just my thoughts!
It’s gonna be gorgeous when all assembled! Love all the parts you found for it!
Cindy in Oklahoma
I agree!
Sandy R
I LIKE IT!! I think If you wire brush it -and it is more Brick-ish colored it will distract – as it is the texture and subtle grid are perfect to set off the beautiful corbels and mantel yet to come. my .02 cents. I’m with Kev
Pam
Less is more 🙂
Mary
Wait for the mantel! I think it works as-is 🙂
Susan Lee
It looks good to me, but if one side looks noticeably different than the other, then i would ask the gentleman if he could remedy that.
Debbie
I think it would look better with less. Take off some and see if your headed in the right direction. You can always add more, if needed, right?
Tassie
I like it how it is even more than the inspiration photo. Now you’ve got the wheels turning in my head!
Shawna
The inspiration photo looks like it has a uniform “color” on each brick breaking up the mortor. Could you add a little depth to each brick using a glaze or dabbed on paint to make it more like the photo?
Wendy
I think the wash looks great with your wall color… and I don’t ever like things to be exactly even, so the difference side to side doesn’t look at all bad to me!
Elen G
I think it’s too white. Whiter than your original concept. Also, I agree that the plywood is throwing me off. Definitely. The one thing I’m sure of is that you will get it right for yourself in the end. 🙂
debbi s.
In our many years of building our houses and working with contractors, and my husband’s an architect, we know that “questions” are the first place to start and asking the person in charge is the best place to go.
So I would ask your brick mason what your choices are, before the mortar dries hard as a rock. Could be he can “wash” it down a bit, or knock it off a bit, but I would have him do it and show him your inspiration photos. Hopefully, he won’t charge you extra for the time and effort. If it will cost you extra money, then go for it yourself, but I would ask him for recommendation on how to go about it. Personally, I like it where the true brick is showing through, and I also like messy mortar joints. Good luck.
Sue
I might try to wire brush it lightly. Do you have any bricks left? If you do, maybe you can replicate the mortar wash on those bricks and take a wire brush to those first to see how it looks. I do agree that the color of the plywood might be throwing you off. Maybe take some scrap wood and paint with the color of the mantel and see how it looks next to the brick before you brush off any of the wash.
Rebecca
Did you ever consider a lime wash? I doubt it would be as thick. I do love the chunkier mortar. I just do. My son in law does too. When he built his house with red brick, he insisted on chunky grout lines. I guess it changes the period for us. Looks more aged.
Jenny
Let they man loose with the brush! I think with a bit of rubbing back you’ll have exactly what you wanted.
Di
Oh I would leave it…..it looks fabulous!! It’s rustic, has texture and character and the fact that the grout lines are slightly different either side just adds charm. You are too close to the project and most people will be looking with different eyes to yours. I love it along with everything else you do.
Robyn
Please don’t paint the mantel white. The wood is so rustic.
Layla
Oh, no- we just installed that rustic beam, Robyn. We’re adding a white mantel below it. 😉
Kim
Ok, I love everything you do… but I’d get to scrubbing I think lol. It’s just too mortar-y. Ya know?
Layla
Oh, yes…I know. I’ve had 24 hours to think about it and I’ve got something else up my sleeve now….mwhahahahaha! 😀
carol
Get Kevin busy with the wire brush. More brick showing through the white would look better…in my opinion. I like more of a whitewash as opposed to solid color. I’m sure whatever you decide will look great 🙂
Marie P.
I agree that you should try to do something to feel more satisfied with and confident about the result. And, I myself would prefer to have more of the brick color showing through and I like chunky grout lines. No doubt you will figure it out. Overall it looks fabulous!! Good luck!
Lisa Peterson
I spent some time looking at the picture and now I can say what I think. I think it looks just fine. It looks clean and not dirty. I hate dirty. I hate the dirty look. You don’t notice the motor and anyone looking at it that comes in won’t be looking at the grout lines. The light bottom half of the firehouse holds up the upper part as you see the light part first. Then the top stands further back in the distance. DON’T TOUCH IT!!!! You did a good job and I think your just getting to over analyze it . Good luck on your decorating. Lisa
Amanda
If it were me, I’d take off a little of the mortar so some of the warmth of the brick comes through. Not a lot; maybe just kiss the bricks that look totally white with the wire brush. I think a little more warmth from the bricks will work well with the beautiful wood mantel you’ve built.
I have loved watching this transformation this summer! Thank you for sharing it little by little and being so transparent about the process 🙂
Winnie
Use that wire brush! I agree – the mortar lines look better a little messy. It will look wonderful when it is finished – everything you do in the house looks great.
suzanne b.
You are cracking me up, Bessie. 🙂 I am excited to see what you have up your sleeve. I love being included in the process…it is interesting and fun.
Kk
I say wire brush. I think a bit more of the brick color would tie everything together.
Pamela Bolton
I say wire brush, especially on the right to make it more like the left.
Julie B.[Holland]
I love the “mock up” picture, we did our backyard with old pavers from a street in Gouda, and the steps were done like this and after looked abit “filmy” we took some sort of cleaner and cleaned them off. It was abit of stinky process but it worked. I personally love how your fireplace looks. Beautiful! Good luck!! 😉
Jo
I personally LOVE the way it looks. I’m with you, though, in that it would bother me a lot to have the mortar different on each side. I would have the guy come back and fix that situation, and I would leave it alone. I just love the way it looks. And once you get the mantel and corbels up it will be fantastic!!!
Meghan
I love it! But I also agree that if you think the right is messier it will probably always bother you so you may want to fix it to match the other side. I have had that experience with a plank wall I did, nobody else notices these two gaps that I could have fixed but thought I wouldn’t notice once all up. Wrong, I’m the only one who seems to see it but it still bothers me and I wish I had just fixed it when I saw it. Beautiful fireplace though, love it!
Nanners
Won’t it dry even lighter?? I’d try to scuff it up a little to let more brick show through, too.
Bernie
Look at this image:http://frame.bloglovin.com/?post=4485896007&blog=96586
Hope it links, or just copy and paste in your browser. Fell in love with it, and similar to what I think you are trying to accomplish. It will bug you forever…go with the wire brush!
Nancy
It is beautiful just the way it is. Leave it!!!
Toni
I would wire brush it as well until there is a hint more color showing through…..as I think right now it looks like you tried to paint it but it didn’t quite cover! A little more color would help balance off any color you might put on your mantle…..unless everything would be white. Beautiful look and fireplace creation.
Jenny B.
I do think it will look better when the mantel is installed and the plywood is not showing. If you can scrape some of the whitewash off now and still add it back later, I think that’s what I would do. Just so you aren’t always wondering if you would’ve liked it better that way. 🙂
Miranda
As a fellow “obsessy Bessie” I think you should follow your initial instinct. I likewise am inclined to want more contrast & knock a little more off. Give that wire brush a go! I think just a light brushing would do the trick. Thanks for including us! Can’t wait to see the finished product, your style is always impeccable!!
Lisa
I’m on Team Wirebrush.
Jan
Can’t wait to see what you do! I’m not sure what I think about brush/no brush and I’m pretty sure the plywood is making it hard! Those grout lines being different would make me craaaaazy! I also think maybe a different fireplace screen would make a difference – something ‘warmer’ that isn’t such a start contrast.
I know it will be amazing when done – whatever you decide.
shannon kinna
honestly I like it! i like that it has a whiter finish- more so than a tan finish.. 🙂
Amy R.
You just need to knock off some mortar. You are close to the inspiration pic, but more brick needs to show through. Looking good!
Janet Cole
I think it is a great idea that will turn out beautifully with a little wire brushing 😉
crissy
it is BEAUTIFUL! and, b/c you asked for feedback, i’m commenting where normally, i wouldn’t. you’ve been helpful to me in the past – picking paint and stuff (if you remember!). based on your inspiration, it looks like there isn’t enough contrast between the brick and [what will be] white trim. i would scrape some off to get the look you’re going for. if you were going for another light, monochromatic look, this would be perfect. 🙂 you’re doing great!! i love everything so far.
Rebecca
What’s the latest on the fireplace? I’m dying to know after you gave us that tease that you had something else up your sleeve.
Layla
WILD! I JUST did a Periscope broadcast about it, Rebecca! Come on over if you’d like to weigh in/see what I’ve been up to today! XO
sara sun
I do like it…BUT I think it would look AMAZING with more tan-ish bricks.
Amber
Too white. Wire brush so a little more brick shows through. That’s my vote. You are on your way to an even more gorgeous space.
Michelle
Use wire brush to reclaim brick – once it’s dry, you won’t have this option. Then if you don’t like it, you can always add more mortar.
Somehow the brick will speak to you?
Lauren Baxter
I like it, but I think it’s a bit heavy so I say wire-brush it a bit 🙂
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx
Julie Knight
Well…I’m just reading this post so you may have already addressed the “problem” , but I without a doubt say take the wire brush to it. The finish is too monotone and loses the “cool” effect of using brick. If it still bothers you, my suggestion would be to wash it very lightly with a paint the same color as your limestone. What might be bothering you is that there are too many colors going on…especially when you add the white of the mantle. Everything you do always ends up absolutely fantastic, so any way I’m sure you’ll nail it!
Layla
Hi Julie!
Yep- I already tackled it! Here a link to the post if you’d like to take a look-see:
https://theletteredcottage.net/fireplace-update-i-fixed-the-brick/