Okay, everyone. Obviously from the headline, you can see what this post is about. As you probably know, we enclosed a breezeway when we bought this house. It is now an enclosed back porch that looks out onto the courtyard. It is also the pass-through to get us from the house to the garage.
Because of its layout, we opted for sliders rather than French doors, but they have worked out alright. The negative is that they don’t let in a much light when they’re open as French doors would have.
What has been bugging me is the brick on the walls and on the floor for that matter. I think the red brick walls really darken the space. Plus, they get a chalk-like matter on them from time to time depending on the amount of humidity in the air. We are not sure what causes that.
The porch gets the morning sun which is another reason why it tends to be dark in the later hours of the day. I love this feature though. The sunroom in our last house got the afternoon sun, and we couldn’t use it after lunch most of the year. It was way too hot.
So, please take a look at these photos, and let us know your opinions on painting the brick or not painting the brick. If we do paint it, we would make it the same color as the interior – Stucco with 50 percent pigment. It’s a color I love by Sherwin Williams.
And if we do paint the brick walls, should be paint the brick floor, too? It got lots of damage during our nine months of remodeling and just looks bad. It sucks the life right out of the space.
I’m going to just sit back and wait for your feedback because your opinion is needed. Thank you in advance.
Take care.
I think I’d try switching out the rug for a lighter pattern first. It might brighten up the floor enough that it reflects some light into the space.
Otherwise, go ahead and paint it.
Gail, I agree the rug is dark, but I specifically selected a dark indoor/outdoor rug because this is the passage from the house to the garage. And you know how yucky garage floors can get. My husband isn’t one to wipe his size 17 shoes, and well, it can make a mess.
I personally love natural brick. A bit of background. I love the historical houses I’ve visited for years. Exposed brick added to the character. Our 200 year old plus home has the front LR /DR wall exposed with the original brick. When we enclosed the back upstairs porch we had the contractors clean the paint off the brick on the small wall around door to match the long exterior wall That said, midcentury homes often have painted brick and look quite elegant. So it is personal. Also, I’\m all about low maintenance when appropriate and possible. If you paint,, it is expensive to remove. Painted wall usually need repainting in the future though “shabby” worn back doesn’t scream neglect; it says gentle loving in a home. Whatever you do, I have feeling it will look wonderful.
Linda, This is Janette even though it says Jordan is replying. (I’m in her account now.) We think since the wall is protected from the elements that it would not need to be painted often. And we definitely know that we can’t go back once it’s painted.
Personally, I am not a painted brick fan. Just remember painting brick is a very permanent decision. We have painted brick on a small section of our house. We’ve been trying to get the paint off of it for 4 years. I think your porch looks fine as it is, but painting it would certainly brighten up your space and I think it would look nice.
Thanks for your input, Karmann.
This is a tough one for me, as I am pretty much a purist. I would definitely leave the flooring as it is, but I think I would consider painting the walls of this part of the townhouse. I’d first explore whether that chalk-like phenomena (is it efflorescence?) would cause issues to paint over, or whether it needs treated first with some sort of sealant for the brick. Best to avoid long-term issues up front!
Rita, we would definitely seal the brick first.
Painting will brighten the space so much. I vote for paint!
I love the natural brick! I think it adds more texture and character. That’s been one of my favorite parts of that room.
Cindy, we have a lot of brick so I don’t think we would miss the natural brick if we paint it. My husband isn’t sure what to do either.
I would start by painting the wall behind the sofa and see if you like that. I like the brick floor. I wonder if the rug is also absorbing so much light from the outside.
Love following your blog!
That’s a good idea, Mary.
Judging by your feelings for the area, it sounds like you really want to make some changes! Go for it!
Thank you, Sandy.
If you do decide to paint, check out John and Sherry of YoungHouseLove.com blog. They turned their brick home white with a special mineral paint that doesn’t seal the brick but allows it to breathe rather than sealing it which can ultimately cause damage. It totally changed the look. I’m not sure about the floor. Check with some tile/stone/brick specialists to see if there’s a way clean up the brick and seal it against further damage.
Cindy, the company that painted their brick is just an hour away from us in Louisville.
My vote is back wall only and no floor, but I know whatever you choose will turn out great! Can’t wait to see the transformation!
Thank you, Josie.
I think the white, dusty film that appears on your brick migh be “efflorescence”. it can occur on brick and other materials like tile and concrete. It has something to do with salt releasing from the surface. I have a few places with efflorescence on my Saltillo tile and it creates a white dusty look or film. I love your room and if you paint maybe just do the walls and not the floor. Perhaps even a whitewashed look not complete coverage.
Laura, someone else mentioned the same word. It’s a new one for me.
Painting the brick, gets my vote! It would be much more cohesive with your newly remodeled home. It would perk up the room immensely.
Thank you, Lori.
Janette – Just love your new townhome and makes me want to get one myself!! You might want to check a couple of sources like Maria Killam regarding color tones, etc. so you don’t get something conflicting undertones with natural brick, paint or wash. Then check out Lauren over at Blesser House (if you haven’t already). In her current home (similar brick to yours) – she limewashed the brick exterior with Romabio Classico Limewash which reportedly won’t peel or chip or flake. Great news. Her place looks fab. That being said, I would still want to leave one wall (or two connecting) in natural brick for accent.
Penny, I will check out that blog. Heard of it but have never been to it.
Looking at your pictures, the corner with the wicker chair seems to be dark. You could paint the brick in that corner and if you were not crazy about the look you would not have to live with the entire back wall painted. Also, what about the stair risers? Looks a little dark in that area as well. I know keeping risers white and clean looking can be a pain. I have size 12’s living with me. Bless you with size 17’s!! 😉 Some small areas where paint might make a big difference.
Hope, what a great idea! I didn’t even think about the risers being painted. And that little corner would be a could place to experiment. The wall with the sliders is dry wall, and it is already the color we would paint the whole place. We could just continue it to that little brick spot to see. Thanks for the suggestions.
We covered our family room brick wall with concrete and painted it white 15 years ago. We’re glad we did it!
That’s an interesting technique!
I personally love painted brick (or the look of paint — I previously read about the mineral whatever mentioned above of John & Sherry’s house. Their house looked fabulous. I would do the walls white. and leave the floors as is. The current brick of the walls is beautiful, but I like bright in a sunroom type of space. Good luck in your decision making!
Thank you, Judy!
My personal choice would be to not paint it. If it were not is a historic neighborhood….maybe.
I think the brick suits your beautiful house best. I love old aged brick.
Thank you, Jamie.
Paint the brick!! It will make the space look more like a room in the house rather than a passageway. It will look more spacious and cohesive with the rest of the house. I think you will love the painted brick.
Could you lay slate tiles or another stone (or even hardwood) over the brick flooring? I think that would look good and provide a more even walking surface.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing what you decide to do.
Delilah
Delilah, our courtyard already has two has brick and cream colored pavers. I wouldn’t want to add another stone into the mix. Thanks for the input.
Can you remove the grilles on your siding glass door? I removed the ones on my family room windows…..can’t believe how much more light comes in!
Carol, I’m not sure. I can look into that.
Ok, so I’m new here but thought I’d throw my two cents worth into the mix…
Personally I would leave the brick as it is. However, you could “compromise “ by doing German Schmear. I just think painting brick often looks cheap especially in an old home. It’s kinda like you’re trying to cover something up but don’t have the money to do anything else. German Schmear might make it brighter in there (if that’s what you’re trying to accomplish) but would be more in keeping with the look of your home. Just my opinion though!
Karen, someone else mentioned German schmear. It is definitely an option that we will consider. Thanks so much for your input.
Just found you via Rhoda at Southern Hospitality. Love your porch and love the brick. It’s so cozy. I also love painted brick too but feel I’d leave the porch as is. If the rug could be changed to an indoor/outdoor in a lighter or brighter color and maybe lighten up the frame around the mirror it would brighten it up. So happy I found your blog…..have just spent the last hour looking over previous posts. Going to try some recipes you’ve posted.
Welcome, Gina. I selected that dark indoor/outdoor rug because it is the main passage from the house to the garage. I figured a lighter colored rug would just get really yucky looking. So glad you found us. Please subscribe so we can show up in your inbox five to six times a week.
Hello, for what it’s worth, I would definitely paint the walls but leave the floor.
Tricia, I’m laughing because the comment right after you said don’t paint, and you are saying do. I can’t wait to tally up the results.
I like the brick as it is. Beautiful!!
Thank you, Jane. We are still trying to decide.
I love the brick. It’s beautiful as is!!
Thank you, Nita.
Some brainstorming: although I am currently loving white looks ( like BM Simply White), your aged brick is very beautiful. My thoughts would be to increase light without painting too much of the brick; I would paint all the wicker and wood furniture white and switch the painting for lighter colours with a white frame. I am a fan of semi-gloss ceilings in white; I like the look and they reflect light. Even the mirror I would frame with white. If you paint the floor or seal it, the sheen might help to lighten the space. The comment above about painting the risers seems like a good idea. Good luck!
Margaret, thank you for taking the time to share your ideas with us. I like the dark wicker and don’t plan to paint it lighter, but the sheen on the floor is an idea.
I’m in agreement with many other respondents – natural brick, not painting. There are several reasons but the permanence and the historical feel of the brick is beautiful are my top two. We used to live in a house built in the 1800s and somebody had painted the brick on the back porch and the historical beauty was completely lost. You could try adding light artwork and even more lighting – maybe sconces, lighting hidden by woodwork in a crown moulding sort of way near the ceiling or even near the floor to brighten it up at night. I like the idea of having the mirror to bounce the light around from the glass doors but at night, it is just bouncing back darkness. So, artwork might brighten it up more. It is a beautiful room!
Sconces are a thought, Beverly!
I vote for keeping the brick in its natural state. No painting. While painted brick can look very nice, I love the mellow, timeworn look. The other thing to consider is it makes it feel like a different space. You other living areas are light and bright and this porch feels like something different. It’s a nice alternative.
Thank you, Sharon.
My husband is an x bricklayer and her hates it when someone paints brick!! I personally think that’s what make the room so cozy and comfy!! Painted would take that away and love the brick floor! Of course it’s your home but if it were mine I wouldn’t paint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Mary!
I just made a commit and then went back and looked at the space and you should put a big white painted window above the sofa and it would really lighten the wall up!!!!
In our last house we had mirrors in our enclosed area that looked like windows, and they reflected the light. They were nice.
I realize I’m really late to the party…what if you changed the rug first? See if that works. I love natural brick…but if it’s not working for YOU…then paint it! You might consider white washing the brick walls. Leave the floor…different rug?? I’ll be curious to see what you decide! Good luck! 😉