Say No To Brass: Fireplace Makeover

Fireplaces are the focal point of a living room. And like everything in home design: styles change over time. With a little paint you can completely update your fireplace and hide dated, shiny brass.

We purchased our new home last summer. It was in solid, original condition. Nothing major to complain of, but as was common in the 1990s: brass was everywhere. The brass on the fireplace had to go and replacing the whole fireplace front was out of budget. The project took less than an hour to complete and freshened up the whole room!

Supplies

• 1 quart high heat black paint
• small paint bowl
• painters tape 
• sanding block or steel wool
• foam brush and bristle brush
• plastic tarp or scrap paper for covering fireplace floor
• stir stick or chop-sticks

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Instructions

1. In a well ventilated room tape off all areas surrounding brass. Cover fireplace floor with plastic tarp. 

2. Stir paint (I use chop-sticks when I am out of stir sticks!). Pour in a small paint bowl over tarp. 

3. Lightly sand brass so paint will adhere. If you use steel wool for this step, be sure to wear gloves. Lightly wipe sanded brass with a paper towel.

4. Paint several light coats of paint over brass, waiting about 10 minutes in between each coat. The paint will seem thin. It took me a total of 3 coats to cover. I used the bristle brush for longer strokes and the foam brush for getting in tight corners. 

5. About 15 minutes after final coat, carefully peel off blue tape and wipe any drips with soap and water. Paint will be tacky for several hours and will have a slight glossy sheen. 

Thats it! With a few simple household tools and high heat paint your fireplace will look fresh and neutral. In homeownership the little updates each week can add up to huge results.