Paint Your Stone Fireplace For A Whole New Look! Easy DIY!

Paint Your Stone Fireplace for a Whole New Look! Easy DIY!

So it’s a new year and everyone I talk to seems to be on the same page, brighten, lighten and simplify. I know I’m hoping to create fresh, clean looking spaces throughout our home and I’ll share some ideas along the way. One of the best things I did late last year was paint our limestone fireplace. So many people told us it couldn’t be done or shouldn’t be. I did it and I’ll show you how!

When we bought our house I was in love with the big stone fireplace, but I wasn’t in love with the color. It was limestone brought over “All the way from Texas” as the previous homeowners said…we are in Florida…so it wasn’t all that far! 🙂 But even so, it was beautiful and a focal point of the living room.

For years we lived with it as is, a neutral sort of beige stone…but I always wanted it either bright and white or moody and dark. I asked our favorite painter, I asked the paint stores and of course I googled and searched Pinterest. I kept coming up empty and the people I talked to kept saying, I wouldn’t paint it or they had no idea how to. I figured if you can paint brick it should be easy enough. I’m here to tell you it is!

Here is what I used:

• TSP Cleaning solution
• Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Multi-Purposed Oil Based Primer
• Benjamin Moore Advance Satin Finished Paint

I learned shortly after using the Benjamin Moore Paint on our cabinets for our kitchen makeover that it truly is the best paint for any big job. It’s the best I’ve used by far.

The first thing I did, was clear everything off the fireplace and mantle, and dust.  Then I put some TSP cleaning solution in a bucket and wiped the whole fireplace down. Because limestone is so porous I made sure to wipe it down well and let it thoroughly dry. I didn’t touch it for a few days to be sure the stone was completely dry.

Then I did a test patch, on the side where no one would notice. I applied a small amount of primer to see how it would absorb and dry. I would suggest doing this as well, no matter what material your fireplace is made out of.

Once the stone was completely dry, I applied a coat of primer. I made sure that because I was applying paint, I stayed clear of the firebox itself. I got as close as I could without getting the paint beyond the glass doors and keeping a small border around the firebox unpainted. Note, this is important because we want flames on the inside, not the outside. 🙂 Be sure to consider this and take the appropriate precautions, when painting yours.  I couldn’t believe how different it looked after just one coat of primer alone!!

After letting the primer completely dry as well (3-4 days), I gave the fireplace 2 coats of paint. I did wait 2 days in between coats to allow the first coat to completely dry. Once the second coat was dry, I touched up any areas that looked a bit streaky…remember the stone is porous and it may dry differently in areas. I then took black paint and covered over the brass on the glass doors to update them a little. This is totally optional.

Well, what do you think? Doesn’t it look clean and fresh and just pop! I am so happy I just jumped in and did it…it made such a difference! If you’ve been thinking of painting your fireplace, I hope this helps you. Remember, I’m not a painting professional and I encourage you to do a test patch beforehand but don’t be afraid to try this! I would love for you to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and here on my blog. If you paint your own fireplace, tag me so I can see it!

Take care until next time!

~Holli