Welcome to the second installation of the Storybook Cottage Kitchen Makeover. Last week covered When To Renovate and When To Refresh. This week is going to compare various brick updates that we might use on our brick hearth. We’re not sure if we want to use a Whitewash, Limewash, or German Schmear technique. If you are in a similar situation this post might also help you decide.
The Back Story
We moved into Storybook Cottage in 2014. Since that time I have shared our brick hearth in the kitchen many times. It is a design feature loved by many.
White Christmas Holiday Kitchen
But make no mistake, depending on the time of day, it can be dark and overbearing.
We will be keeping the brick but I have ALWAYS, from day 1, wanted to update it. While it is not a completely overpowering element in the kitchen on the other side of the wall is our Ginormous Fireplace. As the living room receives very little light the red/orange brick does it no favors. It also dictates a very limited color palette.
Since the above photo was taken I have done some updates such as adding cabinet doors to the open shelving and painting the mantel white. They have helped. But the bottom line is that the dated brick needs to be updated. So why haven’t I done so? Because someone (cough, Mr. Decor, cough) has a fear of painting both wood and brick. He has had his way for seven years. It is now my turn and I can’t wait!!!
Whitewash, Limewash, or German Schmear
What’s The Difference
- Whitewashing is a treatment that uses watered-down white latex paint. It is applied via a paintbrush to the brick. Various coverage (opaque or translucent) can be achieved by watering down the paint more or less. Young House Love has a great whitewashing tutorial.
- Limewash is a second brick painting application. The brick is painted with a specific type of paint made from slaked lime. One of the best posts on the subject was written by my friend Leslie of Segreto Finishes.
It can be used both as an exterior finish or interior. Lauren of Bless’er House used the technique on her fireplace.
- German Schmear (also sometimes listed as mortar wash or German smear) is a technique in which white or cream color mortar is schmeared/smeared over brick. Some of the mortar is removed while it’s still wet. It generally does not fully cover the original brick. The finished look results in a lovely old-world European finish.
Jenna Sue wrote an excellent post on the subject HERE.
Whitewash and Limewash are very similar in their finishes. Different sheens can be created based on the paint sheen level. (Matte, eggshell, high gloss, etc.) A nice aspect of limewash is that it is supposed to be able to be removed from brick for around five days after the application. So it is a great solution if you are hesitant or unsure about giving your brick a new finish.
How are they different from painted brick?
The three finishes listed above are different from painted brick. With painted brick, the intention is to fully cover the brick using full-strength paint. The texture of the brick will still be present but the original color will not be seen.
Painted brick was a design choice that Chip and Joanna Gaines often used on their show Fixer Upper.
Lovely Inspiration
Of the three techniques, I am leaning towards German schmear. The old-world style is so befitting for Storybook Cottage. This technique can be used on exterior or interior surfaces.
Rue Mag
Zillow
I’d love to hear if you have a favorite makeover technique.
Laura
Want To See Our Makeover?
I like brick painted, but I can see how these other finishes look more old world-ish. I look forward to seeing how it all turns out!
When we had our interior painted, we had them also paint our red brick hearth and surround. Best decorating decision EVER!
For your cottage, I like the German Smear ~
I like the German Schmear the most because you can still see some of the original color. Looking forward to seeing what you do!
Can’t wait to see what you do and how beautiful it looks.
Wowza, every single photo has something I love . Your home will be gorgeous with any of those techniques. I can hardly wait to see the posts about what you do! Can you find me a solution for ugly granite that doesn’t cost a leg plus a baby? Pinned
Our old home had two brink fireplaces that I wanted to paint. My husband and I fought over this for the 25= years we lived in that house. He’s now started watching Chip and Jo and Hometown and all the other great HGTV shows with me and he regrets that he didn’t let me paint those fireplaces.
If I were you I’d make my decision as to which technique is best based on two things – which technique will take less time, and which would be easier for a new owner to change up in some way, since you have said you are looking towards a forever home in a couple of year. Personally, I’d go whitewash.
It will be fun to see the before and afters.
I like the one you chose best (though I’m a big fan of dark brick, but I understand what you mean about the light — I deal with it in my house, too.) But that gives a little of both — the dark and the light. Schmear is a good name!
Laura, I LOVE the German Schmear and think it would add so much to your kitchen. After anxiously waiting for 7 years, I painted our fireplace a solid cream color paint a 3 years ago and wish I had waited to do the German Schmear., although the painted brick is still a huge improvement over the multi-colored brick. Once you paint brick a solid color there is no turning back – but you do have other options with the whitewash, limewash, and GS. I know whatever you do it will look fabulous!
I like the German Schmear!!! I have a fireplace with a crack in it. What do you suggest???