first project

I'd been chomping at the bit to paint the fireplace since we moved in.  Ryan had been traveling virtually non-stop, so I scheduled a Saturday for myself to knock it out.  We spend so much time in the family room, I knew it would make a big difference that we'd appreciate immediately and often. I started reading white-washing tutorials as I knew I didn't want to go solid white.  

 before

 

Ryan ended up traveling to Kansas for Lola's services that day but I still got the first coat done with Ben's help. ;)

He can no longer be fooled with no paint on his brush:( 

after coat 1 and 1/2 ish 

 

after two coats and before the mantel

four coats on the mantel later ;)

begging for some new white crown moulding

A little holiday card practice 

In the end I was thrilled with the result.  I had white paint from other projects and trim paint for the mantel, so it only cost a couple dollars in blue tape.  It took two full coats of white wash on the brick and some artistic touches for a third coat.  The only thing I learned that wasn't advised in the tutorials is to stir your paint OFTEN.  When I started on the second coat after stirring, the paint was much thicker and darker than it had been.  Overall a half paint, half water mix worked well and a quick Pinterest search will reveal the many colors you could choose and how they'd look very different.  A few people have asked if I'd do theirs next so I'm calling it success.