When we first bought our new (old) house, I was certain we would demo the fireplace before we even moved in. Not so fast…turns out this thing is here to stay. So, as with all design dilemmas, we decided to paint it white. We saved both time and money and we’ve never looked back. My favorite white paint is always Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White. It’s a white that looks great in any light. This paint covers well and it can easily be spot cleaned. We removed the existing mantel and replaced it with this one. (We opted to have a free floating look rather than use the brackets). To soften the look of all that stone I used our favorite cozy pillows from Pottery Barn. The pillows on the leather chairs are also from Pottery Barn and are a soft washed velvet. We found the mirror at a restaurant in Lewisburg, PA where our daughter attends Bucknell. I think this one would look great too! The grain sack Christmas stockings are new this year from an Etsy Shop. See below for an updated version of how we painted our stone fireplace.
Update on painting a stone fireplace and maintenance: When I first posted about painting our fireplace I indicated that I planned on re-painitng it every year. I did this at first because I thought it really needed it. However, this last time I used Benjamin Moore’s Aura paint. I used my favorite white paint color, Cloud White. It’s expensive, but I think it’s worth the price. You can easily spot clean and it touches up beautifully.
My original post on painting a stone or brick fireplace is my most viewed post and the one that I get the most emails about. A lot of people mentioned they were not crazy about the idea of re-painting every year. Please mark your paint cans…that may have been the problem. When I touched up the first time, I used a slightly different finish. Same color (white cloud), but different finish which meant I needed to re-paint the entire fireplace. So don’t be like me, mark that paint can!
If you are just starting this project, I asked the guys at my local Home Depot about a primer. They suggested Kilz. I would use a wire brush to loosen any debris and then if possible vacuum the entire surface getting in the crevices and corners. Put a couple of coats of primer and then a coat (or two) of the Aura paint. Use an old paint brush because it will ruin a good one. Everything is water-based so it’s pretty easy for clean-up. Good luck and I love seeing your before and after photos!
I love this room, and the fireplace really adds to its charm. We have a tract house brick fireplace. The brick isn’t pretty and we painted ours when we first moved in, we were convinced we’d re-do it at some point. It’s still here and has served us well painted white.
I love your style.
Karen
right?! When in doubt paint it white!
Gorgeous room! Can you tell me about your window treatments?
Happy Holidays!
Angela
They are the woven wood blinds from Blinds to Go. We have them on every window.
You know I am a big fan. Good tip about the Aura paint.
Annie your fireplace is an inspiration to so many that are afraid to paint. The entire room is perfection. It was a great idea to remind everyone!!
Love, love, love the white-painted stone fireplace. So fresh! I’m ready for a cloud white fix. Happy Holidays!
What a lovely room. White was a great decision for the space…the room looks so fresh. I’m debating the same thing but afraid to make the leap!
Do you use your fireplace for Woodburning? I wanted to paint my stone fireplace but we use it every winter and I didn’t Know if the soot etc would stain the white paint..
Hi Sheraye,
We converted our fireplace to gas so we don’t have that problem. I think you could still paint your brick or stone and just embrace the patina of the blackness that comes from a wood burning fireplace or touch up the paint every spring. Even with gas logs, I generally touch it up once a year. Hope this helps.
Annie
Looks beautiful! What sheen of the Aura paint did you use? Thank you!
We use flat on walls and satin for fireplace. Hope that helps!
There are so many different types of KILZ primer. Did you use an oil base Kilz primer or a water base Kilz primer? I will use the Aura by Benjamin Moore in Cloud White with a Satin Finish over top (latex).
I love your fireplace and staging!
Thank-you!
Lori
Hi Lori,
I’m pretty sure it was not an oil based primer. I almost always stay away from anything that doesn’t clean up easily. I would check with the people at the paint store and get a couple of opinions just to be sure. Good luck with your project! I would love to see photos!
Annie
Hi! We are getting ready to paint our yucky 70s Black/brown stone fireplace white & I came across your posts- love your fireplace! I’m struggling with figuring out what white paint to use. Should I use the same color white that is on our trim (& that we plan to put on the mantel) or should I chose a different white that would coordinate well? We have a very pale gray white on our walls & SW extra white is our trim color.
Hi Janelle,
I would use the same paint as your trim. Why introduce another color of white? The stone provides the texture and so the white is just covering up the yucky brown. I like that you are going to paint the mantel white too! I would LOVE to see before and after photos! Painting ours made a huge difference. You will be amazed how much brighter your room seems! Good luck!
annie
I love it, and am getting ready to do the same to an old stone fireplace!
Hi Annie,
I have just stumbled upon your Pinterest post and have to say, it looks marvelous! I absolutely love, love, love your fireplace!
We have lived in our Southern California home for 18 years now and the flagstone fireplace has been such an eyesore for me. ;(
We looked into changing it and found out how much they wanted to charge for this while we updated our home. You have just given me the inspiration and guts to finally do it myself. My flagstone is uneven and I would love to add a wood mantle but would like to know what to do to get one on the rock?
But before I get started, may I send you a pic of what my fireplace looks like and possibly get your opinion on how to proceed with it?
Your feedback is so much appreciated!
Thank you and can’t wait to get going on this project!
Dunia. I know, most people cannot pronounce my first name 😉 Pronounced (doon-i-ya)
Hi Dunia,
Yes! Send me a photo, I would love to see…I can say painting our stone fireplace white was the best decision. When you send a couple of photos, take one from the side so I can see the uneven stone. We drilled into the stone to hang the mantel. I do have to put shims in to keep it level. Have a great weekend!
Annie
[email protected]
Hi Annie, I’m getting ready to paint my 1970’s moss rock fireplace. How crucial is it to get rid off all the old, dried up moss on the fireplace? I’m using a wire brush and a water/bleach spray to scrub it off, but it’s an arduous task.
Also, I noted that recently you used Annie Sloan to paint. Which color did you use?
Hi Sara,
It sounds like you are working hard to remove the dried up moss…Using a wire brush and bleach spray, it must be almost gone? I don’t think ours had that much. It was more just loose debris. I would use a coat of primer and then paint. I did use Annie Sloan Pure White, but really any paint will work! I just repainted ours after the winter with Behr paint from Home Depot mixed in the color I always use: Cloud White (a Benjamin Moore color). I would love to see photos! Good luck!
Annie
I’m looking at doing the same exact thing to my fireplace! Thank you so much for all of the great tips! What type of paint brushes did you use when painting the fire place?
Your post is going to save me a ton of money. My gut job was scheduled to start in April, I canceled it. I am going to paint first and see if I love it as much as I love yours. I think I will. Painters will be here friday!
Hi Alisia,
Thats exactly what we did…we were going to demo it and re-build and then we said…whqt if we painted it white? Keep me posted! I would love to see photos!
Annie
Hi. Do you have a before picture you can post? Or post before and after side by side etc.? I’d love to paint my 2 story stone fireplace white and your post gives me the inspiration and motivation to do it. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Holly,
I’ve seen a few floor to ceiling fireplaces that have been painted white…I wish I could find a photo that someone had sent me a while back. I think it’s way back on my instagram. Anyway…here’s a link to the post that shows the before fireplace.
Annie
What finish? Flat, satin? It did not say. Thank you!
Cathy
Hi Cathy- I’ve used both. It really depends on your preference, but mark that can, so that when you go back and touch up you don’t use the wrong finish..I’ve done that!!
What sheen did you end up using?
Hi Tammy! I used flat the first time and then egg shell. Both look fine… I did not mark the can so I had to paint the whole thing over once I touched up with the wrong paint.
This is so pretty. I have a 70’s stone fireplace and want to paint mine. Hopefully it will look like yours. Is the mantle the painted same color? Same paint?
Yes! We painted everything the same color! The texture from the rock is busy enough is what we felt when making this decision. Let me know if you decide to paint it!
I love the solid color of your fireplace stone. How has you paint held up to heat from a lit gas fireplace? I’m thinking od painting mine!
Yes, the paint holds up very well! If you paint it white you’ll need to clean or freshen it up with paint once a year if you use your gas fireplace a lot, but as far as holding up…no problems at all!