Are you ready to change the look of your tired old brick fireplace? You’ve lived with it for years, wondering what to do to make it look better. Maybe you should consider whitewashing.
Giving your brick a lighter look with whitewashing is all the rage these days and maybe just the thing that will modernize your room and bring your fireplace out of the 1970’s. Take a stroll thru Pinterest and you’ll see all kinds of fireplace whitewashing projects with before and after pictures to help you get inspired.
If you do decide to whitewash your brick, Giani Brick Transformations Paint Kit helps you get that bright new look you’ve been searching for. This paint lightens brick and gives a whitewashed look to any interior fireplace or brick wall.
Giani Brick Transformations comes with a pint of water-based, acrylic paint, (which has a low odor and VOC’s), a 2-inch angled brush, and a wiping rag. Each kit covers about 100 square feet of brick and the process seems to be pretty easy based on customer feedback. You simply add water to the paint to create a thin solution. Then you paint the solution onto the brick, wiping each brick as you go.
Typically, you add a 1:1 ratio of paint and water to create the painting solution. You can always create your own ratios to get more or less coverage, depending on what look you’re trying to achieve.
The Giani Brick Whitewashing Kit allows you to go over dark brick and “tone it down” to create a softer look that looks fresh and modern. As you wipe off the paint, some of the original brick will start to peek thru as the paint dries.
*If you want less coverage use a 1:1 ratio of water to paint with the wiping rag.
*If you want a little more coverage, you can use a 1:2 ratio of water to paint with the wiping rag.
*If you want total coverage, use a 1:2 ratio of water to paint with no wiping rag.
The Brick Transformations Whitewashed Paint Kit comes with everything you need to get your whitewashing project done.
Here’s what you get in the Giani Brick Whitewashing Kit:
*16 ounce can of Brick Transformations Whitewash Paint
*3 Giani Ultra Low Lint Wiping Rags
*Mixing Container
*Plastic Drop Cloth
*Painter’s Tape
*2” Paint Brush
*Stir Stick
*Detailed Written Instructions
Additional materials you’ll need:
*Bucket of Mild Soap and Water
*Sturdy Scrub Brush
*Cloth for Drying the Bricks
*Portable Vacuum Cleaner
*Drop Cloth
*Plastic Glove
The whitewashing instructions are simple and easy to follow.
* Vacuum your brick and hearth with a portable hand- held vacuum to remove any dirt or dust.
* Clean the bricks with mild detergent, a scrub brush, and a bucket of water.
*Dry the bricks with a cloth.
*Apply the painter’s tape around the wall areas, the sides of the mantel, and around the insert.
*Place your drop cloth in front of the hearth area.
*Stir the paint and add 8 ounces into the provided plastic container along with 8 ounces of water
*Mix the paint and water with the stir stick until the mixture is consistent throughout.
*Dip your brush into the paint mixture and paint over just a few bricks at a time
*Use your rag to wipe away the paint until you get the desired coverage and the look you want.
*Take off the painter’s tape when the bricks are dry to the touch.
Most customers who have reviewed the Giani Brick Transformations Whitewash Kit seem pleased with the outcome. Happy customer comments like, “Easy to use.”, and “Great product!” confirm that this product does what it says it does. Some customers even used this whitewash system on their stone fireplaces although the description says that the product is designed for use on brick. Here are a few more customer comments:
“I was so scared to take on a fireplace painting project!! But I felt like the red brick fireplace was dating our living room. It came out AMAZING and my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.”
“I was trying to update my red brick 80’s fireplace. The result isn’t pure white but a subtle lighter red. I love it and it was quick and easy to do.”
“The paint covered the soot stains that were so distracting. I’ve gotten so many compliments from friends. The project took only a few hours and it looks great.”
“I was hesitant to use this product on my rock fireplace but it worked perfectly. I absolutely love how it turned out.”
On the other hand, there are some negative comments about the product :
“I used this product on my fireplace. I wanted full coverage and I ran out of paint. A pint is not enough to do the job. I could have bought a gallon of paint from Lowe’s or Home Depot and got the job done for a LOT less money. The painter’s tape was bad and didn’t stick to my wood mantel.”
*Whitewash paint should NOT be used on ceramic or glazed brick since the water-based paint cannot be absorbed into coated surfaces.
*Whitewash paint should NOT be applied to high temperature heat areas inside the fireplace firebox where the fire burns.
*Whitewash paint should only be used on interior surfaces and not outdoors.
When deciding on whether to put paint on your brick fireplace, you do need to be certain it’s what you want to do since the paint will soak into the brick and be hard to remove if you change your mind. But, think of it this way...If you don’t like the look of your fireplace, consider the fact that painting is probably the least expensive remodeling option. And if for some reason you want to paint over the whitewash with a solid color or with Brick-Anew, a product that gives a natural brick look, you can always make that change.
So if you’re on the fence about how to modernize your outdated fireplace and you like the whitewashed look, the Giani Brick Transformations Whitewashing Paint Kit could solve your problem. In just a few hours with minimal cost, you can have a new fresh look for your fireplace and change the look of your entire room. The ease of having all the materials you need in one kit saves multiple trips to the paint store and all you have to do put in a little time and energy to make it happen!
Looking for more fireplace painting ideas? Check out our article on How to Choose the Right Color for Painting your Brick Fireplace
While you may consider these products practically the same, they are incredibly different and give incredibly different end results. Consider the pros and cons of each before deciding which is best for your project.
| Romabio | Giani | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| VOC Count | 0 | 85g/gal | |
| Allows Brick to Breathe | yes | no | |
| Color Choices | yes (7) | no | |
| Comes with Everything You Need | no | yes | |
| Indoor or Outdoor Use | yes | no (indoor only) | |
| Distressed Look Possible | yes | yes | |
| Full Coverage Possible? | yes | no (not in the nature of whitewash as a product) |
Limewash is a finish designed for raw wood or unsealed masonry and has been around for centuries. While a simple limewash just consists of water, salt, and hydrated lime, a more complex version is an aged lime putty mixed with natural pigments that the user dilutes with water to create a usable wash. As it dries, it can be distressed by spraying on water to remove some of the finish.
Limewash has incredible properties. It’s antimicrobial, antifungal, and an insecticide. It allows the surface it’s applied on to breathe naturally, which preserves the strength of that surface. It is equally applicable in indoor and outdoor settings and only looks better over time.
Limewash is also completely VOC free.
Whitewash is a finishing technique for raw wood, masonry, and even previously painted surfaces. The user chooses a white or off-white paint color and dilutes it with water. Especially when used on brick, the user can remove excess paint with a rag to allow some of the natural brick to show through
Whitewash is just a mixture of white paint and water. It is better for brick than a solid coat of paint, but it doesn’t allow the brick to breathe naturally like limewash. Whitewash is not designed to hold up over time and will need to be reapplied in outdoor settings.
The VOC count of whitewash will depend on the type of paint used in the process.
Romabio’s limewash is crafted in Italy. It has all the fantastic qualities of limewash listed above, and it comes in seven different color choices.
While the product is mainly marketed to the exterior of brick homes, it can be used on any natural brick or stone, inside or outside.
The product is shipped in a paste form that needs to be diluted before application.
The whitewash kit by Giani comes with everything you need to complete your project including paint, lint-free cloths, drop cloths, etc. It is an interior product marketed for fireplaces.
The paint is low VOC and specifically designed for brick. The paint must be diluted with water before use.
The Romabio limewash paste was about the same texture as softened butter. I expected it to be more difficult to work with (something along the lines of solid ice cream), but it was very easy to scoop out of the container.
It does take a little effort to get it thoroughly mixed with water. I would recommend using a metal mixing tool attached to a drill as opposed to a wooden stir stick.
As I applied it, the product looked very streaky, but the brushstrokes were much milder when the product dried.
Once the product was mostly dry, I started to distress it. I definitely recommend waiting as long as possible to start distressing.
Because the wash was not completely dry, even the drips from the water I sprayed on it removed a lot of product. I ended up using a lint-free cloth to blend the finish and get it looking the way I wanted.
The Giani paint was about the same texture as sour cream. When I was shaking the can, I thought it sounded really thin, but it wasn’t that much thinner than the Romabio. In fact, when diluted, both products had about the same consistency.
Again, it did take a little effort to get the product fully blended with the water. The company claims you can do it with just a stir stick, but I ended up having to really work the paint into the water with my paint brush.
Initially, the product gave a very full coverage. I did find it difficult to get the distressed look I was going for, but I think it would have been easier on real brick, which is much more porous. (I was using a faux brick board.)
Whether you are painting a nursery, refinishing a piece of furniture, or in need of finger-paints for young children, it’s important to consider the safety of the paints you buy. Though babies’ weakened immune systems make finding baby-safe paint especially important, buying safe, eco-friendly paint is important for your health and for the environment.
VOC-free wall paints fall into essentially three categories: small, medium, and large brands. I’d recommend starting with the medium brands. These brands have a pleasant online shopping experience as well as plenty of reviews.
I highly recommend ECOS and Clare. These are medium-sized brands selling high-quality, eco-friendly paints that are, of course, VOC free.
With a broad color selection and reasonable pricing, you’ll be able to use these paints all throughout your home.
You can also purchase zero VOC paints from smaller bands like Green Planet Paints and Green Building Supply. While smaller brands may have limited colors or provide a less up-to-date online shopping experience, they often have quality products and a helpful customer service team.
While big-name brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Valspar are a logical first choice when paint shopping, they are my last resort. Newer brands that originated specifically to offer eco-friendly paints typically develop formulas from the ground up using high-quality pigments, environmentally conscious processing methods, and clean ingredients.
In contrast, brands that were previously selling VOC laden paints will generally just make a couple of adjustments to their original formulation. This results in an inferior product often containing compounds that, while not labeled VOCs, are similar in the way they off-gas into your home.
While we’re discussing interior paints, I want to mention ProSolutions Fiberlock ChildGaurd lead-blocking primer. If you’ve purchased an older home where lead paint was used, it is essential to remove the lead paint or seal it in. While the Fiberlock paint isn’t VOC free, it is safer, easier, and cheaper than trying to remove lead paint, and lead is far more dangerous than VOCs.
While there are lots of new VOC-free wall paints in the market, my absolute favorite has been around for centuries. Lime paint is naturally VOC-free and non-toxic.
Beyond being extraordinarily good for the environment, lime paints are colored with pigments from the earth, leading to colors with lots of character. Please check out some of our other articles for more information on lime paint and brand recommendations.
If you’re searching for baby-safe paint for a crib, a pet-safe paint for your doghouse or cat tower, or an eco-friendly and safe paint for any furniture in your home, you have lots of high-quality choices! While each of the products below are VOC-free furniture paints, they all have unique properties that are best suited to unique applications.
Fusion Mineral Paint is a satin finish, all in one, multipurpose paint. It is completely VOC free and doesn’t need to be primed or sealed! This is super important since some VOC-free paints need to be primed or sealed with VOC laden products.
Fusion’s mineral paint is super simple to use. The brand sells all the tools you’ll need to use with the paint making them an easy one-stop-shop.
With a large selection of gorgeous colors in a rich satiny-matte finish, this paint is perfect for a wide variety of projects. I especially like to use it on intricate projects with a lot of surface area since I don’t have to go back over it with a sealer.
Dixie Belle’s chalk paint line is a beautiful and high-quality selection of chalky-matte paints. Like Fusion, Dixie Belle’s paints do not need to be sealed. However, they sell a huge assortment of finishes, some for additional protection and some for style.
My favorite thing about Dixie Belle is their passionate team of retail sellers. There is so much information about each of the Dixie Belle products, both on the Dixie Belle website and from their retailers. You’ll find tons of videos and tutorials and a ton of passionate people to help answer your questions.
Dixie Belle is another one stop shop, selling brushes, finishes, and all the tools you’ll need to complete a piece start to finish.
Milk paint, like lime paint, has been around for ages. In fact, milk and lime paint are very similar. On a basic level, milk paint is lime paint plus milk caseins.
If you haven’t worked with it before, milk paint is sold powdered since, once mixed, it doesn’t last very long. When you’re ready to paint, you mix the powder with water and shake to emulsify. Milk paint has a lot of unique properties and is unlike mineral and chalk paints. Check out this article for a little more information on the differences plus a review of a pre-mixed milk paint product.
To be clear, most milk paint brands are VOC free. Milk paints are known for being nontoxic and eco friendly. However, the Real Milk Paint Co. is a great place to start your milk paint shopping.
This company has a large color selection and sells a wide variety of finishes to choose from since you do need to seal milk paint.
While lots of brands create non-toxic acrylic paints for crafts, some people recommend avoiding these paints for babies and young toddlers. Acrylic paints are not designed for prolonged contact with the skin and they off-gas toxic chemicals.
I highly recommend starting with this article by Learn Play Imagine. It is a great resource with links to all sorts of DIY paint recipes from sidewalk chalk to watercolors.
If you want to make edible finger paint for young children who will put their fingers in their mouths, you have essentially two options. Some parents make tasty finger paints that are fun to play with and eat. Check out this recipe for a finger paint made with yogurt.
However, other parents prefer to use an unflavored paint. It’s safe if the baby sticks a couple fingers in their mouth, and it helps build the habit of not eating paint. These two recipes (1, 2) use cornstarch, and this recipe uses flour.
If you prefer to buy paint, you can get these powdered paints on Amazon. They are safe to eat and just need to be mixed with water. TheTot.com is also a great spot to get non-toxic craft supplies if you’re not into DIY.
The natural patina that develops on old metal has become a popular finish for everything from wooden dressers to metal candlesticks. A lot of the home decor items we purchase today will not patina naturally, and, even if they did, would take a long time to do so. That’s where faux patina finishes come in.
You can create a beautiful authentic-looking patina using lots of techniques. From specialty products to DIY solutions, this article covers the best options for a furniture makeover with patina.
Dixie Belle’s patina paint system is by far the most popular way to patina furniture and home decor items. Dixie Belle offers a quality line of products that are easy to use and give a variety of beautiful results.
Technique:
Unlike some of the techniques below that require layering of multiple paint colors to create a faux finish, Dixie Belle’s system is easy to use and creates a true patina! The paints contain real metal and the activation spray speeds up the oxidation process that would usually happen over time.
While the Dixie Belle system is easy to use, it also has room for a lot of variety. You can use both the green and blue patina sprays and use multiple paint colors to create a really unique look!
While the Dixie Belle system is easy to work with, there are other ways to get a lovely patina finish that will involve more of your creative skills! There is a basic painting technique to a DIY patina, but there are lots of variations and ways to make it your own.
Basic Technique:
You can adjust this basic technique using all sorts of tricks. You can use textured spray paint to create patina. This is especially helpful when you want to paint metal. If you’re using patina spray paint, you can also use chunky salt to create an authentic rusted look; check out this tutorial from Hot Rod.
Distressing isn’t the only way to create patina. Another way is to paint the patina onto a previously painted piece. Take a look at these awesome tutorials from Rosco Spectrum and Jennifer Maker
If you’re working on a metal piece, instead of using a patina paint for metal, you can actually create a real patina by speeding up the aging process. This can include using acid and other household ingredients along with scrubbing with wire brushes.
Creating a natural patina this way will give you a really unique look since you don’t quite know how the metal will react with the ingredients you’re using. Check out these two articles (1 and 2) for more information about creating natural patina at home.
I’m going to finish this article by mentioning a couple other faux patina paint brands. Dixie Belle is by far the most popular, but it isn’t the only brand selling products to help create a faux finish at home.
In this article, you can read about Salvaged Patina and see some absolutely GORGEOUS pieces the blogger created with their blue-green patina paints. Or check out Modern Masters oxidizing copper patina paint which, like Dixie Belle, has real metal pieces in the paint.
From faux copper finishes to paint with real flecks of copper to using household ingredients to create lovely patinas, the world of patina paint is wide! Use your creative skills, and be sure to let us know below what projects you take on.
No fuss. No frills. Let's jump in with the brick sealer information you need to know.
Brick sealers essentially make your brick and mortar water-proof. Mortar tends to be very porous; when it absorbs water, the water can seep into the surfaces behind the mortar and cause water damage. When bricks absorb water, important minerals in the brick get absorbed. As the water evaporates, these minerals are drawn out of the brick and end up as a white powder (efflorescence) coating the surface. This damages the structural integrity of your bricks.
Some sealers also change the appearance of the brick. These are known as wet-look sealers, and they bring out vibrant colors and reduce the dry, sandy look brick---especially outdoor brick---tends to have. Other sealants do not change the look of the brick at all and provide protection without a wet-look aesthetic.
Most brick should be sealed. Sealers protect the brick from absorbing water and other chemicals that can cause damage. While sealing vertical brick walls and fireplaces is good, it is more important to seal horizontal brick surfaces where water can pool. This could include your brick-paver patio or your brick front porch.
First of all, you will want to use a brick sealer, not a concrete sealer. Concrete sealers often interact with a specific chemical found in concrete and will not work if that chemical isn't present. So you will want to invest in sealant specifically made for brick.
"Among brick sealers, you can choose between siloxane-based, urethane- and acrylic-based , or polyester-based products"
Urethane- and acrylic-based products may penetrate the bricks, but their main purpose is to form a surface seal that water will bead up on. These products also tend to provide a wet or shiny look due to this surface film.
Brick sealed with acrylic-based products usually needs to be resealed every 2-3 years. The protective film wears off over time and needs to be replaced so the brick stays protected. This sort of sealer can also be quite slippery when wet.
Best-selling urethane-and acrylic-based brick sealers on Amazon include the Kilz Wet-Look Sealer and the Dominator Wet-Look Low-Gloss Sealer.
Silane Siloxane-based products penetrate brick without building up a surface film. Sealers like these fill the brick pores and react to form a water-resistant barrier.
The characteristic feature of these products is beading up water on the surface of the brick when sealed.
These sorts of sealers usually need to be reapplied every five to seven years. The sealer breaks down and wears out over time leaving behind the open porous structure of unsealed brick. Depending on the type of product, the sealer could be color-enhancing, give the brick a wet look, or leave the brick with no difference in appearance.
Foundation Armor offers the best-selling siloxane-based brick sealers on Amazon. These include their SX5000 (solvent-based) and SX5000 WB (water-based) sealers
Polyester-based products penetrate the pores of the brick as a liquid and harden so the brick no longer has a porous structure. The hardened sealer strengthens the bricks and makes it non-absorbent.
Water does not bead up on polyester-sealed brick surfaces nor is the surface slippery. Rather water will spread out and run off the brick naturally. These products are designed to last for up to 15 years so you rarely have to think about reapplying.
RadonSeal offers the only polyester-based brick sealer on the market.
Before beginning any sealing process, it's important to clean the brick thoroughly. Depending on the location of the brick and it's age, this could mean just a dusting or a thorough stripping and pressure wash. For your sealer to work properly, the brick needs to be really clean and dry. Refer to the directions on the brick sealer you use for specific directions.
If you have a large surface area to seal, spraying is usually most efficient. Rolling may not be efficient if your mortar lines are very recessed. However, if you're doing the sealing yourself and haven't used a sprayer before, you can stick with a roller. Just be sure to get into all the mortar lines as well as the surface of the brick!
It's important to check how the manufacturer of your product recommends applying your sealer. Some brick sealers can be rolled or brushed on depending on your preference. However, some sealers will only work with one or the other.
I’ve chosen a wide selection of best-selling coffee tables that will fit beautifully into farmhouse-style spaces. I’ve also shopped around for similar pieces to be sure you’re getting each design at the best price! Click on any of the images in the collage below to be rerouted to its product page or scroll down for a quick review of each table.
This table is #2 on my list because it is perfect for just about any farmhouse space. The distressed white paint on the pallet-style legs pairs beautifully with the taupe-brown table top.
This table has more of a classically farmhouse feel than any other on this list. From the natural wood top to the pallet wood legs with chipped paint, it feels like the sort of thing you’d find in a real farmhouse and is pretty enough to fit the farmhouse trend that’s so popular!
This is my absolute favorite coffee table on this list. Unfortunately it is also by far the most expensive. I love the wagon-wheel-esque design and the chippy paint.
This table has three different materials: wood, glass, and metal. This gives it extra design depth that other all-wood tables don’t have.
It’s important to think about the pros and cons of a glass coffee table. I like the glass aesthetic, but it is less popular than wood. It’s rock-hard surface can be less pleasant to work on than wood, which is a little softer.
My second favorite on this list, I would put this table into any modern farmhouse space. The design is just gorgeous.
The proportions make the table sleek, and the wheels make moving it around super easy. The ample storage storage is hidden by a sliding door and two stained-wood drawers, which add to the farmhouse feel.
A modern design from Emerald Home, this table includes metal legs with X supports and a butcher-block style tabletop. This is a whole farmhouse coffee table set with additional pieces available for purchase including an end table and multiple sizes of coffee table. You can also choose from a number of different wood finishes for an custom feel.
I found this table while looking for a cheaper version of this design by Laurel Foundry. There are some differences, but overall it is a similar design for a much cheaper price!
This table is made in a very traditional farmhouse style. Its solid wood, chunky feel is perfect in spaces with a rustic decor scheme. In a space with leather or natural stone, it would fit right in. You can choose from multiple finish options to get the perfect color for your space.
This square farmhouse coffee table is perfect for large spaces. It has tons of storage space for games, blankets, or whatever else you like to have in your living space.
I love the distressed white paint with the metal accents on the corners! The wood top really brings the whole look together. However, you can choose from other color combinations to find the perfect look for your style.
This round farmhouse coffee table is perfect for small spaces. It doesn’t have much storage space, but it is elegant in design and is stained in a lovely color.
This table would look lovely in a more modern farmhouse space. It’s simple design and round shape make it more graceful and less rustic.
This lift-top coffee table is great for folks (like me) who like to work from or eat on their couch! The lift top also provides storage space underneath the lid.
I absolutely love the stain on this piece and the rattan baskets underneath the piece. These baskets allow you to store whatever you like underneath the table without things looking disorganized and cluttered.
This table is the perfect blend between the modern and rustic aesthetics. It has a very rustic stain and the weaved baskets along with modern features like the metal legs and lift-top table.
A classic and sleek design, this FurniChoi table has legs with X supports and a smooth white finish. The table top is stained a warm brown with a glossy top coat.
This table is similar to some of the others on this list, but with a more sleek, glossy finish. This makes it perfect for farmhouse spaces that don’t have a lot of distressed paint and matte-finished furniture. It’s a classic farmhouse design for a modern farmhouse space.
This is one of the more unique designs in this article. It has the classic X design on the legs, but the top has a natural stone look. I think this is awesome for a rustic space that doesn’t yet have any natural stone. It’s a way to make the space feel very natural, warm, and cozy.
You can absolutely DIY a farmhouse coffee table. While you can make just about any furniture at home as long as you have the equipment, the novice furniture maker will find a chunky-style coffee table easiest to build.
Take a look at this DIY Chunky Farmhouse Coffee Table from Handmade Haven or this 8 Board Table from Shanty 2 Chic. If those don’t catch your eye, check out these 10 easy DIY coffee table ideas from Homedit.
Whether you’re looking for a classic, rustic coffee table for your living room with the natural stone fireplace or an elegant round table for your small sitting space with a modern farmhouse aesthetic, I hope you’ve found the perfect piece for your home. Let us know your favorite below!
Chalk paint has quickly spread from a DIY project that had to be mixed and pigmented at home to a national phenomenon with dozens of brands and thousands of colors to choose from. While you can find a pale pink and a turquoise-y blue in almost every brand’s color collection, each brand has a few unique colors to offer.
This guide pulls some of the best colors from each brand so that you can find the best color (and brand) for your project!
While Home Depot sells quite a number of chalk paint products, its two best selling brands are Annie Sloan and Behr. These two brands are at their best on different sides of the color spectrum so choosing between them is as simple as choosing the color you’re looking for.
The Annie Sloan collection has some pretty standard colors but, these greyed-out purples and blues are unique to her collection. These shades are a great way to incorporate lots of color without getting too bright or overbearing.
Paloma would be stunning on picture frames hung on a dark wall. I can see Napoleonic Blue on chair cushions or pillows. Consider using Louis Blue in your bathroom for an airy feel or Rodmell on your lamp shades to give your room a purple glow.
Equally appropriate on walls, fabric, and furniture, these colors will add a lux look to a space without overwhelming you with color.
Behr’s gorgeous green and yellow pallets have so much character. These colors contain a lot of life.
Bring in the sunshine with Farmhouse White and Summer Porch or embrace an old world villa feel with Fresh Earth and Vintage Mustard. Go seaside with Ice Water and Surf; have a garden party with Vineyard Passage and Green Silk.
If you’re looking for a yellow or green chalk paint, this is the collection I’d turn to first.
The two main chalk paint brands sold at Lowe’s are Valspar and Krylon. Let’s look at the best colors from each!
Valspar’s color collection was somewhat disappointing. However, their pallet did contain these pretty pastels, which could be lovely on crafts or on a garden gate.
Valspar does offer custom color tinting so this a good brand to choose if you need a color match or a very specific shade.
I was amazed by the wide range of shades Krylon offered, especially when it comes to light neutrals and off-whites. I have never seen a brand offer so many color choices.
Hover over each color to see the name, or click on the color to be taken to the color page on the Lowe’s website.
When it comes to neutrals and off-whites, a small difference in shade or undertone can make a big difference. Having a large selection available is incredibly helpful!
My favorite colors in this collection are Bay Waves (fourth row, first column), Ibis White (second row, third column), and Pale Bloom (bottom row, last column). However, the beauty of this collection is not in one particular color but in having a variety of tones to choose from for your project.
Like the Valspar collection, the Waverly chalk paint line doesn’t have a lot going for it. There aren’t many colors to choose from, and of the options you do have, there aren’t many good choices.
The four colors to the left stood out to me as good choices for a simple orange, blue, red-orange, and red. They have an iconic feel that I like. Overall, however, I would not recommend this collection.
I love the Dixie Belle color collection. It is full of beautiful colors, but these six are my favorites.
These colors are bright and bold, but not at all overwhelming. They are highly pigmented without the overstated look that neon colors have.
I highly recommend these colors and any of the colors from the Dixie Belle line
The olive tones in the FolkArt collection are simply lovely. These would be beautiful chalk paint colors for furniture. They have an old world feel that look beautiful when distressed.
Consider using the sage shadow on a bedside table or the Savannah on a patio set. These colors will add a little bit of luxury to whatever space you use them in.
The Rustoleum chalk paint line is very limited. These colors to the right are all that they offer. Even though the selection is limited, it is very popular.
I personally don’t love any of these colors, but if you like one, this is a good brand to purchase from. Rust-Oleum makes a high-quality product.
Unfortunately, spray-on chalk paints are still somewhat new, and there are not a ton of colors available yet. However brands like Krylon and Rust-Oleum have some aerosol chalk paints in popular colors.
If you found this selection helpful, consider subscribing to our newsletter for more content like this. If you have questions or want to share some of your favorite chalk paint colors, leave us a comment!
Anyone who has worked with true milk paint knows it’s not as simple as opening up a can of paint. True milk paint comes in powdered form that needs to be emulsified into water, and this hand-mixed paint spoils quickly so it has to be used almost immediately.
However, true milk paint enthusiasts think the unique finish milk paints give are worth the hassle. Milk paint is uniquely chippy unlike the distressed finish chalk paint gives.
I recently came across the General Finishes milk paint product. It claims to be a milk paint that comes ready to use and is shelf stable. This would certainly make using milk paint a lot easier. However, does using this product sacrifice the beautiful finish a true milk paint gives?
I tested the product to get a sense of the finish it provides and its similarity to milk paint. Honestly, I was pretty disappointed. If you’re looking for a true milk paint finish, I recommend a true milk paint sold in a powdered form.
However, the General Finishes milk paint isn’t a bad paint product; it just isn’t milk paint. If you’re interested in the type of finish you can get with this product or in how different it is from a milk paint, the research below will be helpful to you.
Immediately upon opening the can, I realized that the paint was much thicker than milk paint. The thickness of the paint plays a major roll in the finish, strength of the paint, and coverage.
While chalk paint is self-leveling, milk paint will usually show some of your brush strokes. That is part of the traditional milk paint look. However, there is a big difference between seeing brush strokes in a thin paint and brush strokes in a thick paint.
As you can see in the closeup to the right, the paint is INCREDIBLY streaky. It rapidly dries to a smudg-y state, which means you have to be careful not to go back over previous brushstrokes.
This is very different from the brushstrokes you can see in a milk paint, which are far more subtle and have an old-world look not a badly-painted look. The paint does have good adhesion to the board I was using, but the thickness of the paint made it unpleasant to work with.
I’ve heard that this paint applies like butter, and I could see that being the case on a super smooth surface. However, on the rougher surface of the board I used, it was very unpleasant to work with.
That being said, the brush you choose to use can have a big impact on the paint. If you have a brush you know works really well with thicker paints, you might enjoy working with this more than I did.
Another side effect to thicker paint is a longer dry time. I had to wait a full two hours between coats of paint. This made the whole painting process pretty cumbersome–I had to clean up all my tools in between coats while I waited for the finish to dry.
I had some hopes going into the second coat that it would smooth out some of the original brushstrokes, but this was not the case. The second coat was just as bad.
Compare the beautiful and old-world look of the dresser on the left (taken from The Real Milk Paint Co.’s gallery) to the glob-y streaks in the General Finishes milk paint on the right.
I highly recommend checking out more of the gallery on The Real Milk Paint Co.’s website to see more beautiful examples of true milk paint.
Overall, I think most white paints applied to a dark board are going to have trouble getting really good coverage. That being said, I was surprised that not even three coats of this paint gave me good coverage. This isn’t necessarily a huge negative; it was just surprising.
Take a look at this closeup of the fully dry three coats of paint and the broader shot to its right. I do like buildable coverage in milk paints, but I personally would have preferred to see full coverage after three coats of this thick paint.
As for the finish itself, it is exceptionally glossy. Milk paint isn’t always as matte as chalk paint, but I haven’t seen a milk paint with this glossy a finish before.
Just examining this paint as it stands on its own, it is thick with buildable coverage, has strong adhesion, has a glossy finish, and is not self-leveling. It is pretty strong and not easy to distress.
Comparing it to milk paint, however, it really doesn’t hold up. Milk paints are thin with an elegant satin or matte finish. They chip naturally to give a distressed look to a piece. The General Finishes milk paint is none of these things.
The small convenience of having a premixed paint is not worth all the differences between this paint and a true milk paint. If you’ve worked with this paint or other milk paint brands, leave a comment with your experiences below!
Making an informed buying decision is hard. Dozens of brick sealers with hundreds of reviews and endless lines of product information can be daunting to search through, which is why we did it for you.
These are the best-selling brick sealants on Amazon and the essential information you need to know about each one. I’ve included info from the product descriptions plus tips and warnings from the reviews. Each product is summarized with the application it is best suited for so you can find the perfect product for your individual situation.
We’re starting with this sealer because it is very unique. LastiSeal is the only polyester-based sealer on the market. Once applied, the sealant soaks deep into the brick pores and cures to strengthen, protect, and seal.
The sealer does not form a surface film. It cures inside the bricks to waterproof and strengthen them. It also provides UV protection and allows the brick to breathe.
The sealant is low in VOCs and won’t damage plants. It can be used in indoor and outdoor applications and applied with a brush, roller, or sprayer. Because this is a penetrating sealer, the brick won’t be slippery when wet.
Unlike other sealers, LastiSeal will last at least 15 years before a reapplication is needed, and the manufacturer RadonSeal offers a 15 year warranty. It can be used on indoor or outdoor applications.
Multiple customers commented on the friendly customer service they received when they had questions, and, overall, customers are incredibly impressed with the product.
The five gallon container will cover 150-225 square feet. The manufacturer doesn’t specify whether one or two coats will be necessary. Some customers were happy with one coat; others applied two.
For a one coat application, the sealer costs $0.97-$1.46 per square foot; for a two coat application, it costs $1.94-$2.92 per square foot.
This product is versatile and works well in a variety of applications. It is equally suitable for high-traffic areas (brick pavers) as a brick wall that you want to seal and forget about. You can even seal your fireplace and then paint it (with anything but a latex paint).
LastiSeal is available in a flat finish that won’t change the appearance of the brick or in a satin finish.
Acrylic-based sealers work by creating a thin, clear film that bonds with the surface of the brick. This film will protect the brick from absorbing water, oil, and stains. Unfortunately, the film also makes the surface of the brick slippery when wet.
Acrylic-based brick and masonry sealers only provide surface-level protection. They do not reinforce the brick like other sealers do.
Each of the acrylic sealers in this list has an additive that protects the sealer from UVs so it won’t peel or yellow. They also seal the brick while allowing it to breathe, which is important to maintain the durability of your bricks.
This is a water-based brick and mortar sealer with low VOCs. I would only recommend applying it in a well-ventilated area.
This sealer provides a wet-look, low-gloss finish. It works on all brick surfaces if previously unsealed. It will not work on bricks previously sealed with oil-based sealers.
The manufacturer doesn’t specify how many coats are necessary, but most customers apply two. The one gallon container will cover 250-400 square feet . Price per square foot with two coats is $0.14-$0.22.
Customers’ main complaint with this product is that it can leave milky-white streaks in the cured surface film. The manufacturer does not provide a length of time the sealer is designed to last; it may need to be reapplied every year.
This is a solvent-based sealer, which means it has moderate VOCs. Be sure the area you’re applying in is well-ventilated, and wear a mask.
This sealer provides a wet-look with a low-gloss finish. It must be applied to an unsealed surface or a surface previously sealed with a solvent-based acrylic only. This sealant doesn’t work on natural clay or stone, only brick pavers.
The five gallon container will cover up to 437.5 square feet with two coats (two coats are recommended by the manufacturer). Price per square foot is $0.51.
The seal should last 1-3 years outdoors or 5-7 years indoors.
This is a water-based sealer, contains very few VOCs, and has no harsh smell.
The sealer provides a wet-look, low-gloss finish.
The five gallon container covers between 625 and 1000 square feet with two coats (not all applications will need two coats). Price per square foot is $0.42-$0.27.
The seal should last 2-5 years.
These acrylic-based products are best suited for indoor brick where risk of spillage (and thus risk of slipping) is low (e.g. not a bathroom or kitchen floor).
I would recommend the Dominator Sealer over both others for it’s low VOCs and moderate price. Each brand offers the same product with different gloss levels as well:
However, acrylic sealers are the weakest contender in our lineup. A sealer that will need to be reapplied every year and will be slippery when wet isn’t a great choice for a brick-paver patio or pool area. I only recommend acrylic sealers for indoor applications, where they’ll last longer and where rain won’t pose a safety hazard.
Silane siloxane sealers are absorbed into brick to reduce water absorption by 95%. Since the sealer works inside the brick, water will not always bead up on the surface. However, sealed brick sustains less water damage, dries faster, and is easier to clean than unsealed brick.
In the top ten brick sealers on Amazon there are two silane siloxane-based sealers. They are both sold by Foundation Armor. Both these sealers are approved by the Department of Transportation in several states “as a penetrating concrete sealer for use on roadways and bridgedecks to reduce damage and deterioration caused by water absorption.”
The sealers don’t leave behind any surface film so the surface won’t be slippery when wet. You won’t get a wet-look or glossy finish either. The sealer works without changing the appearance of the brick.
These sealers should only be applied to unsealed surfaces and will work on natural brick and brick pavers. The seal should last 7-10 years.
A five gallon container covers between 87.5 and 112.5 square feet with two coats. The price per square foot is between $1.99 and $2.57.
You can get this sealer in a solvent based form (SX5000) or a water based form (SX5000WB). There is no difference in the seal you can achieve with each product. The water-based version is more popular among customers.
The solvent-based sealer will break down the parts in a typical sprayer, and it has a very noxious smell. I recommend the water-based version so you don’t have to invest in a specialty sprayer and respiratory gear.
I would still recommend the LastiSeal over this product since the LastiSeal lasts almost twice as long while strengthening the brick. However, if you decide a silane siloxane sealer is the best choice for your project, the SX5000WB is a good choice.
If your brick looks old and faded, an acrylic-based sealer like the Dominator will help bring life back into your brick. But for a longer seal and better protection, the LastiSeal polyester-based brick sealer is the best way to go.
If you have any questions, leave us a comment! And if you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our email list for more helpful articles and promotions.
Painted stone and brick fireplaces seem to be all the rage these days. Just browse through the DIY magazines in your grocery store checkout lines and you’ll see articles describing stone and brick fireplace ideas, how to paint a brick or stone fireplace, and ways to do a modern stone fireplace makeover. If you scour the internet, you’ll see remodeled fireplaces that have been painted a solid color and others that have been whitewashed. But there’s another technique you might know about and that’s limewashing.
You may ask, “What is limewashing anyway?” Limewashing refers to a paint process where you mix water with lime to create a thin mixture that you paint over your brick or stone to tone down the look of dark, outdated brick or stone. You can limewash a brick fireplace or limewash a stone fireplace. Another question you probably have is, “What paint do I use to limewash a fireplace?” Here’s the good news. There’s a special limewash paint made by Romabio that has everything you need to limewash your fireplace in just a few easy steps.
Romabio Classico Limewash allows you to transform your brick or stone fireplace and create the charm of an “Old World” European look. This paint, made from Dolomite lime from Northern Italy, is formulated to give a natural, authentic look and comes in seven pre-tinted colors so you can choose just the right one for your home. Oh, and guess what? If you’re undecided about which color to choose, this paint can be washed off in the first five days so you can try different colors to see which one you like best. Check out this before/after of the limewash.
Classico Limewash won’t chip or peel over time and will maintain its color for years. This limewash paint has a high resistance to mold and UV rays and it’s highly durable due to its high pH content.
So how easy is the process? You simply mix the Classico Limewash, a concentrated lime product, with water to create a thin paint. You can even add less water if you want a thicker paint. Then you brush the mixture over your damp brick or stone. After about 10-60 minutes, start the wipe- off process.
Limewashing your brick or stone fireplace is easy enough for anyone who can use a paintbrush. So if you’re looking for a fast, easy way to makeover your tired old brick or stone fireplace, Classico Limewash could help you get that charming distressed look for your brick or stone in just a few hours.
You can purchase Romabio Limewash On Amazon!
Check out More of the Top Fireplace Painting Products of 2019!
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