A lot of people have been asking about our brick fireplace lately.

No, it wasn’t black when we moved in.

In fact, it was some badly painted pea-green color.

See? Here’s what the den looked like with the previous owner’s stuff.

Could that brick fireplace possibly be any uglier?

While I painted the ceilings flat white (they were all GLOSS antique white), Jamie went to town on the fireplace.

He started with a couple of coats of Kilz primer, tinted black.

Yeah, the hardware store can tint the primer in any shade you may need. (They can’t make exact color matches, but they can get awful close…and it makes a huge difference)

Because we wanted to do the ultimate paint job, Jamie gave it several thick coats, squeezing into all the groves and crevices.

Then he added 2 good coats of Ralph Lauren “Granite”.

Just plain interior flat latex paint.

Looking pretty good so far.

The inside of the firebox he sprayed with heat-resistant flat black spray paint……because we plan on burning things in there.

(It’s a good idea to only use spray paint indoors if you can open all the windows and doors……just sayin’)

I started in with the khaki walls. (Martha Stewart Fawn)

They set off the black brick perfectly.

And this is what we have today, 4 years later……

The rolling log holder we made from plumbing pipe in an afternoon.

There’s a tutorial located here if you care to make your own version.

…or maybe just see how we did it.

The vintage flower pots keep firestarters and sweet-smelling Pinon wood close at hand.

Black painted brick…….

We think it’s Way. More, Much Better…….