Hi Angela

We have a very high brick wall in our living area.  The rest of the house (including high ceilings and beams) was painted white a few years ago and looks really great.
However, I hate the brick wall now as it seems a bit dated.

I would like the wall to be painted white or some tone of white.  I would like a little of the brick effect to remain but I don’t want it to look like it has just been “painted over”.  Would I have to have this rendered or is there a paint that would give the same affect.

Thank you in anticipation....

Sian

Answer

Hi Sian,

Thanks for writing to me. Brick feature walls are a thing of the past for most of us – although there are those who still like them – they will date your home’s décor. Your options for painting over the bricks will depend whether the bricks are flush or uneven. If the bricks are uneven and you want a smooth look, you should investigate rendering the bricks first, then painting over the top. It really depends if you want to keep the brick pattern. You don’t have to render the bricks – it’s up to you to decide what will match the look of your home.

If the bricks can be left without rendering, you should try the various water based paints that are on the market, which have been designed for painting brickwork. It is important that you apply undercoat/primer first, then apply two coats of paint to the brickwork. There are some great paints available with textured finishes that will still give you a natural or rustic look for your walls.

As for the colour – it depends on what look you want. If the room is small and dark, then you should consider using a light paint. But if your room is large and light, you could choose any colour that your heart desires. This season’s popular colours include neutral shades and greens.

Regards,
Angela