After a few long late nights of painting, I am so excited to share my black painted fireplace with you all. I had been contemplating painting it ever since we moved into this house. You might remember when my friend Layla mocked up some different fireplace designs for me. Our budget was tight, and painting was the only way we could afford to update this large fireplace.

So this is how the fireplace started. It really wasn’t terrible, but it also just felt pretty dated.

Actually, if I really take it back, in January this is what it looked like! That was before I painted the paneling white, and spray painted the brass fireplace surround. As you can see, even before painting the brick, the fireplace had already come a long ways.

When I was at a blogging conference I had the opportunity to sample Amy Howard One Step Paint, but this is the first time I’ve used it in my home. Let me just tell you that I was blown away by how much I loved it! I don’t say that lightly either. I loved it’s consistency, coverage, color, seriously, I REALLY loved it. The entire fireplace took almost two quarts of the One Step Paint in Basic Black. **affiliate link**

I made sure to tape off the mantel, hearth, and metal surround. Then I worked the paintbrush into the cracks. I found that by painting all of the grout lines first, that by the time the lines were done the faces were almost covered in paint. Then it was simple to brush across the faces of the bricks.

Miraculously the paint covered in only ONE COAT! When you’re painting something as tedious as brick, this matters. I did have to touch up a few places, but that was really minor compared to having to put on another entire coat. I also loved that I didn’t have to prime, or seal the paint. It also comes in TONS of different colors. I could see most fireplaces looking great in grey, white, or black like mine. Here is my affiliate link if you’re looking to purchase it.

Altogether I spent about 6 hours split between two nights of painting. I still have to go back with a smaller brush and edge where it meets the hearth and where it meets the floor. I was too antsy to share these pics first though!

I am just LOVING all of the drama that this deep dark black adds to our living room, I love how it really sets of the mantel too. 

In my “where we work and play” tour I shared how I keep my entire office stored in the cabinets on one side of the fireplace. Over on the other side we keep all of our games and art supplies. This room is where we spend almost all of our family time. It’s also where I spend my afternoons working.

In just one short week I’ll be decorating this mantel for Christmas! This will be our first Christmas EVER where I’ve had a real fireplace mantel to decorate! Until then, I’m loving the simplicity of my succulent wreath and candlesticks.

If you look closely you’ll see the spots that I still have to hit with a small paintbrush. Even though I still have some painting left to do, I am SO happy with how it turned out.

I know that deep dark black paint isn’t for everyone, but really it’s only paint. I wasn’t into the natural brick, so if I ever get tired of the black I could always switch to white paint.

To all my savvy readers out there, you might notice the dark stains on the hearth. I’m not exactly sure what those are, but I think it’s a combination of wax, dirt, and grease. I have tried a bunch of products for getting it clean with no success. If anyone has any stone cleaning suggestions I’m all ears. Otherwise I might be thinking about tiling the hearth to cover it up.

I LOVE the way the bright succulents on this wreath pop against the black bricks.Thank you so much for checking out our newest paint update! Now that it’s done I can’t believe I waited almost a year to take the plunge and finally paint it! If you’ve got a paint project you’ve been contemplating, just remember, it’s only paint, and you can always re-paint it another color if you change your mind! I doubt my mind is changing anytime soon though!