Okay, Moms. From the day we bought our house, our fireplace has all but killed me. Our home is very contemporary in design and I decorate modern. Our home was a spec home built by someone else who decided not to buy it when it was finished. They didn't upgrade the fireplace so the brick used was the same as the outside brick....red brick. I have all light colored walls and carpet with a red brick, very traditional fireplace. I am considering painting the brick the color of the walls but am told resale could be rough. I wish I could attach a picture for you to see how much it stood out in the room when the house was empty....let alone when furnished modern. I've had quotes to change it and it's thousands of dollars. I've put mirrors on the mantel to try and detract a bit but it still really bothers me. What are your thoughts? Would you paint it?
I'm not in real estate, but I've never heard of a painted fireplace hurting resale. Our living room originally had dark picture frame paneling and brick fireplace matching the outside brick. Ewwww! I imagine it was SOOOO dark in there. Previous owners painted everything white, and it is gorgeous. It is so bright in there. EVERYONE compliments our house when they come in. I say PAINT IT!!! (You can definitely do it yourself, too!)
I have seen an episode of a makeover show where they made a wooden box to cover the brick fireplace. There was no harm done to the fireplace for resale and the wood detail added charm to the newly contemporary room. You can dress up the wooden box with paint, tile, stucco, etc..
If you plan on being there a long, long time, paint it. If not, I wouldn't. A lot of traditionalist are highly opposed to painting brick.
I have seen them tile over a brick fireplace several times on the home improvement shows. They look really nice too!
