Get ready for an absolutely stunning transformation! Today, we’re diving into a bold blue fireplace makeover using the incredible Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®. This project, born from a creative collaboration with Annie Sloan, adds a vibrant burst of personality to a previously understated space. You might have caught a glimpse of this striking feature when I shared my Mom’s mid-century modern inspired dining room makeover, where it plays a pivotal role in establishing the room’s unique aesthetic.
The Renter’s Dilemma: Bold Choices and Landlord Approval
Embarking on a significant home improvement project in a rented property often comes with a unique set of anxieties. While my Mom had the technical green light from her landlord to paint the apartment, the extent of our design ambition always left a lingering sense of nervousness. After witnessing her gorgeous stairwell transformation, the landlord expressed considerable confidence in our design judgment. However, the thought of his reaction to our more adventurous choices — especially this commanding blue fireplace, the patterned wallpaper we carefully hung, the new light fixture, and even the aqua-painted ceiling – was certainly a source of apprehension. We undeniably took some creative liberties!
The saving grace, and a crucial aspect of any renter-friendly makeover, was the knowledge that every paint application could ultimately be undone and restored to its original beige canvas. This reassurance provided the freedom to experiment. Crucially, I maintained a strict rule: I didn’t alter anything that wasn’t already painted, such as the beautiful natural wood pocket door in the dining room, resisting the strong urge to refinish it (haha)! Still, my design aesthetic often leans towards the bold and the blue, a style I know isn’t universally appealing. Last week brought the moment of truth when the landlord visited for an apartment check. My Mom shared the fantastic news: he not only liked it, he loved it all! What an enormous relief! This positive feedback reinforces the power of thoughtful design, even when it pushes boundaries. Upon moving, our only task will be a simple paint touch-up, a small price to pay for bringing so much personality and homeyness back to the “bones” of this charming older home.
Creating Cohesion: Tackling an Off-Centered Fireplace
A fireplace has always been a dream for my Mom, and finally having one in her living space is a sweet, cherished perk. She’s always admired my own charcoal grey fireplace and accent wall setup, which served as a significant source of inspiration for this project. The only challenge was an architectural quirk: recent building renovations had unfortunately turned a formerly centered fireplace into an off-centered one. This asymmetry was further emphasized by the television, which needed to be positioned to the left where the cable hook-ups were located.
To address this design conundrum and create a sense of balance, I decided to replicate the unified look from my own home. My solution was to paint the entire wall – including the fireplace brick and the TV stand – in the same rich, inky color. This strategy visually blends these disparate elements, making the fireplace appear more intentional and the television less obtrusive. For the color, I chose a captivating blue, slightly bolder than my charcoal wall, yet still possessing a desirable depth without being overly dark. The verdict from Mom? She absolutely LOVES it! The apartment boasts remarkably tall ceilings and expansive windows at both ends, allowing the space to effortlessly carry such a moody, impactful color. The result is a truly cozy, inviting, and wonderfully cohesive living area.
A “Before” That Begged for “WOW”: Embracing Bold Over Beige
It’s always important to appreciate the starting point. Here’s a reminder of the “before” state of the fireplace. It was, admittedly, perfectly lovely in its own right – a clean and classic combination of white brick, white trim, and unassuming beige walls. This neutral palette offered a serene and timeless backdrop. However, for my Mom, who expresses a strong aversion to beige walls, it lacked the personal flair and vibrant energy she desired in her home. My goal was to infuse the space with a true “WOW” factor, transforming a pleasant but somewhat generic area into a focal point that genuinely reflected her taste and spirit. This makeover wasn’t just about changing a color; it was about injecting personality and joy into her everyday surroundings, proving that even classic elements can be reimagined with a touch of daring creativity.
Personal Touches: Custom Art and Clever Sconce Hacks
To complete the newly vibrant blue fireplace, I knew it needed a personalized touch above its transformed hearth. The painting now adorning the wall is a quick DIY project I whipped up myself! I utilized some scrap wood to construct a simple frame, which I then painted with leftover gold spray paint, adding a touch of metallic glam. If you’re interested in learning how to create your own custom canvas frames, you can click here for my canvas framing tutorials. Furthermore, you’ll notice what appear to be sconces flanking the artwork. These are actually a clever DIY hack, a project I’m still debating the full reveal on, but rest assured, I’ll share all the details and how-to scoop on those later!
Styling the Star: Embracing the Blue Through the Seasons
The transformation has truly brought a new level of cozy vibes to the living room. What I particularly adore about this new blue hue is its chameleon-like quality; it subtly morphs from a rich teal to a deep blue, and sometimes even a sophisticated grey, as the natural light changes throughout the day. This dynamic characteristic adds incredible depth and interest to the space. The color also perfectly complements the existing brass gas fireplace insert, creating a lovely interplay of warm and cool tones that feels both inviting and elegant.
Now, I absolutely cannot wait to dive into decorating this blue fireplace for the upcoming holidays! My mind is already buzzing with ideas. For fall decor, I envision a vibrant pop of orange – perhaps some decorative pumpkins, rustic leaves, or warm-toned candles – which I believe will create a stunning contrast against the deep blue. But my dreams are already drifting towards winter. Imagine this fireplace styled with a luxurious cream and gold color scheme! I picture abundant natural greenery garlands draped gracefully, intertwined with some sparkling accents and perhaps some soft, ambient lighting. While I don’t typically have a traditional mantle in my own home, I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to style my Mom’s, turning it into a festive and ever-changing focal point throughout the year.
The Art of Transformation: Painting a Brick Fireplace with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®
Painting the brick of the fireplace was a surprisingly straightforward process, though it required a good deal of patience and meticulous attention to detail. This particular brick surface, with its deeper texture and more pronounced crevices compared to the smoother stone on my own fireplace, naturally demanded a bit more time and effort.
Choosing the Perfect Hue: Aubusson Blue
For this significant makeover, I partnered with Annie Sloan and chose to use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®. I’ve always been intrigued by its reputation for adhering to virtually any surface without extensive priming, and I envisioned that its characteristic matte finish would lend a sophisticated, velvety appearance to the brick. The versatility of Chalk Paint® also meant I could seamlessly use the same product on the adjacent walls and the TV stand, ensuring a perfectly cohesive and matchy-matchy aesthetic. The specific color I selected is called Aubusson Blue, a truly gorgeous and deeply saturated shade that perfectly captured the moody elegance I was aiming for. Fun fact: I initially considered using this paint to dye some linen fabric for my “fake sconces” but ultimately decided against it, worrying they might accidentally resemble speakers (haha)!
Preparation and the “Pushing” Technique for Textured Brick
When tackling a highly textured surface like brick, the application method is crucial. I employed the exact same technique I used when painting my faux stone fireplace years ago. Instead of simply brushing the paint on, I take an old, sturdy paintbrush and actively push the paint into every nook, cranny, and grout line. This is achieved with a distinct “dab-dab-dab” motion, ensuring thorough saturation and complete coverage of the rough surface. This technique prevents skipped spots and creates a uniform finish that truly transforms the brick.
Mastering Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®: Tips for a Flawless Finish
As someone relatively new to working with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®, I quickly learned its unique characteristics. The first coat often appears quite streaky and uneven, which can be a bit disheartening initially. However, it’s essential to trust the process. The second coat truly works wonders, providing excellent coverage and building towards that luxurious, signature matte finish. While painting the highly textured brick with the “pushing” method felt similar to using other paints, applying it to smoother surfaces like the fireplace mantle was a different story.
The key with Chalk Paint® is to avoid overworking it. Instead, apply a first coat, allow it to dry completely, and have faith in the subsequent coats to achieve full opacity. Excessive brushing can lead to visible brush strokes, detracting from the desired smooth, velvety look. This paint definitely demands a little patience and a bit of practice to master, but the results are absolutely worth the effort. For any stubborn or hard-to-reach areas, particularly in the deepest crevices of the brick and around the delicate edges of the gas fireplace insert, I found a small artist’s brush to be an indispensable tool, allowing for precision and thorough coverage.
To ensure every last bit of the brick was coated, especially around the intricate details of the gas fireplace insert, I switched to a small artist’s brush. This allowed me to meticulously push paint into the deepest crevices, guaranteeing a seamless and professional-looking finish.
Integrating Technology: The TV Blending Challenge
Here, you can catch a subtle sneak peek of the wall to the left of the fireplace. Notice how effectively the deep Aubusson Blue wall works to help the television blend seamlessly into the background. In my own home, my charcoal grey fireplace does an exceptional job of disguising the TV – particularly because we invested in a Samsung Frame TV, which is designed to look like art. However, this rich blue also proves to be a highly effective solution for integrating technology into a living space without it becoming an overwhelming focal point.
I’m still contemplating the final design for that specific part of the wall. Should I create a gallery wall of art directly behind the TV to further distract the eye? Or perhaps install some sleek shelving to add both storage and visual interest? Alternatively, maintaining the focus solely on the gorgeous fireplace might be the best approach. The design possibilities are endless, and I’m taking my time to decide. Rest assured, you’ll see more of this evolving living room once I’ve finalized those details. But for today, the spotlight truly belongs to this absolutely stunning, newly transformed blue fireplace!
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Bold and Personal
This blue fireplace makeover stands as a testament to the transformative power of paint and the courage to embrace bold design choices. It’s a vivid reminder that a simple color change, especially with a high-quality product like Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®, can breathe new life into a room, making it uniquely personal and deeply inviting. My Mom’s joy in her revitalized living space, and even the landlord’s enthusiastic approval, validates every bit of effort. We hope this inspires you to consider your own home improvement projects, big or small, and perhaps even introduce a daring splash of color. Don’t be afraid to experiment and create a space that truly reflects your style.
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