We Painted the Fireplace




For some time now, I’ve wanted to paint my fireplace another color. I searched the internet to look for different color options and inspiration for the project. Check out some of the best painted fireplaces that I found on the internet. Initially, I did paint the fireplace but never finished until 2 weeks ago. I’m sharing it with you today along with some other details around the fireplace. Do you remember what it looked like before I painted it? (Man, my style has evolved so much.) It was off-white and matched the trim in my home. I was convinced that by painting it a contrasting color that it would really stand out.

spring mantel, mantel decorating,

It wasn’t bad at all, but it was too plain for this lady! This was another perfect project using Annie Sloan Chalk paint. I’ve spoken openly about my love for chalk paint and especially for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. To make it a stark contrast, I decided to paint the fireplace in the ASCP color, graphite. Graphite is a dark, smoky gray. It’s the closest you can get to a black in this line of chalk paint too. If you add clear or dark wax it will likely darken more too. I chose not to use wax because the surface did not need anything else to finish it. Most furniture would need a wax to preserve the finish. Here is what the painted fireplace looks like now.

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Right before the photoshoot about blogging, I styled the wall above the fireplace with old book pages. It was about 15 minutes before the photographer arrived and I was pinning vintage book pages to the wall. Whew! That was a marathon but I’m super happy we got a chance to give some insight on behind the scenes of a blog. There is nothing like a deadline to help you get things in order. That’s exactly what happened with our master bedroom closet project too. Whatever it takes, eh?

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Regarding the process for this look, I painted the fireplace in 2 coasts of ASCP (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint). Because it was a dark color it absorbed the color very well. I did not strip, prime, or do anything to the wood before I painted. The only prep (for most surfaces, not all) you’ll need to do is clean your surface. Then, I distressed the entire fireplace with a sanding block. It revealed this ashy, gray color, that showed the off-white coloring underneath. graphite painted fireplace-8, we painted the fireplace, annie sloan chalk paint graphite, annie sloan chalk paint, ascp, painted fireplace, graphite painted fireplace

The round brass mirror is from Target. It helps to center the off-centered look of the book pages. The pink roses in the vintage vase add a soft pop of color and makes the area interesting.

When styling a space, you always need at least one piece to anchor the area.

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This set of vintage 7up bottles, in a crate is always making appearances in photoshoots. It fits nicely on one side of the mantel. There is a dragon plant in a white planter on the other side of the mantel. Normally, I keep big candles in my fireplace and light them to help set a relaxing mood. A little fire from candlelight or a lit fireplace instantly relaxes you. These non-scented candles work just fine to do exactly that.

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I might have a crush on this painted fireplace and that says a lot for me. I can be hard to please with my on projects, always striving for perfection. It has that super-soft, chalk-y, finish that I love when I paint using ASCP too. It’s a butter-soft feeling that you’ll never forget. Okay, okay, enough about the chalk paint finish.



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What do you think about this painted fireplace? Love it or hate it? Let me know in the comments below. 

-Crystal 

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