how do we feel about brick fireplaces?

[Anonymous]

I have a 15 year old home (okay, it's pretty much a mcmansion, which I regret, but that is a different topic). The kitchen opens into a two story family room with a huge red brick fireplace (same red brick as the home exterior) flanked by white bookcases. We are remodeling the kitchen/family room. I feel the red brick fireplace is dated, but not sure what to do about it. We could cover it in a stone veneer, but that might be too pricey, or we could box it out with some white trim, but would some people view that as covering up an asset? We could also try to dress it up with a nice mantel (it has a junky one now). WWYD? Would you see a big brick fireplace as a plus or minus if you were buying a house? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 15 year old home (okay, it's pretty much a mcmansion, which I regret, but that is a different topic). The kitchen opens into a two story family room with a huge red brick fireplace (same red brick as the home exterior) flanked by white bookcases. We are remodeling the kitchen/family room. I feel the red brick fireplace is dated, but not sure what to do about it. We could cover it in a stone veneer, but that might be too pricey, or we could box it out with some white trim, but would some people view that as covering up an asset? We could also try to dress it up with a nice mantel (it has a junky one now). WWYD? Would you see a big brick fireplace as a plus or minus if you were buying a house? Thanks.

Does it have an ugly insert?

Never heard of any such thing as an "dated" fireplace.

But ugly inserts gots to go.

[Anonymous]

maybe you could paint the brick

[Anonymous]

DO NOT paint brick! OMG, that just makes my teeth hurt.

Leave it alone. It's brick. It's probably the only thing in your house that isn't going to look dated in five minutes.

[Anonymous]

When we bought our house the brick was already painted white. If the mantel is also white, I think it helps. I would not like bright red brick. I like tile (espcially marble) when it is done right, but I'm not sure you could tile over brick.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you could post a photo?

[Anonymous]

I would paint the brick. I'm considering doing the same to mine, not because I think it looks dated, but to brighten the room.

[Anonymous]

I hate them (we've had them in couple of houses), and painting doesn't help much. I'm thinking about putting a new surround and mantel on ours but haven't got very far. Google "fireplace makeover" and you'll find tons of ideas.

[Anonymous]

Paint it.

[Anonymous]

Depends in the brick. Ugly brick - paint. Nice brick - keep. Put on a nicer mantle either way.

[Anonymous]

I despise our brick FP. I am going to paint it.

[Anonymous]

Paint it. Don't cover it up. My parents have an early 80s house that they painted the brick fireplace of. It looks great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT paint brick! OMG, that just makes my teeth hurt.

Leave it alone. It's brick. It's probably the only thing in your house that isn't going to look dated in five minutes.

I agree with this person and am surprised others don't. When people say "dated," they should understand that every time period has its trends, and ours is no exception. When you do something like paint it or put stone around it or something -- both of which can't easily be undone -- you box yourself in to being hopelessly dated in the future too. Brick is classic.

[Anonymous]

I had a house built in the early 50's or late 40's. It had white painted builtins on either side of a white painted brick fireplace. It blended into the room.

Unless you are transforming the house into a contemporary there is no reason to remove or reface the brick. Also if it is a brick structure for the chimney it will be really expensive. And while removing you don't know what can happen.

We are looking at second home for retirement and downsizing here. Contemporary is a big investment mistake for resale unless you get it really cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT paint brick! OMG, that just makes my teeth hurt.

Leave it alone. It's brick. It's probably the only thing in your house that isn't going to look dated in five minutes.

Assuming it is red brick, it's classic.