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Krystel turned a dated red-brick fireplace into a lighter, darker-accented focal point for a reported $250 (Australian dollars) and 14 days. Her makeover kept the brick texture, introduced an industrial look with raw finishes and natural timber, and used a gas fireplace as the room’s anchor. The account, published by Better Homes and Gardens Australia on September 7, 2020, documents one homeowner’s project rather than a universal recipe or a current price promise.
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The room before and after
Before the work, the room had a solid red-brick fireplace surround and purple carpet. Krystel wanted to update the strong red color without losing the hard, tactile character that suited an industrial-style interior. Her aim was also functional: make the gas fireplace a focal point rather than leave it as a visually heavy, dated feature.
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What Krystel wanted from the makeover
An industrial finish, not a perfectly uniform white wall
The project was designed around contrast. The painted brick created a lighter surround, while the dark mantel and fireplace details gave the opening more visual weight. Krystel deliberately sanded through some of the new coating so the red brick remained visible in places. That choice matters if you are deciding how much coverage you want: a fully opaque finish and a distressed, partly exposed finish are different projects even when they use similar materials.
A focal point around a gas fire
The gas fireplace was central to the room’s new arrangement. Because it is an appliance that produces heat, the decorative finish cannot be treated like an ordinary wall. Product labels, the fireplace manufacturer’s instructions and the condition of the surround all have to be considered before painting. The source account records what Krystel used; it does not establish that those named products are suitable for every fireplace, appliance or heat level.
Materials and the reported 2020 budget
Krystel bought the materials from her local Bunnings and reported a total spend of $250. These are Australian-dollar figures from the 2020 article. Prices, pack sizes, stock and product formulations can change, so use the list as a record of her project rather than a current quote.
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|---|---|---|
| Ozito electric sander | $59.98 | Mechanical sanding after the preparation coat |
| Diablo sandpaper | $25.80 for two packs | 40-grit paper for heavier sanding and 240-grit paper for lighter sanding between finish coats |
| British Paints 4 in 1 prep | $45.70 for 2 litres | One preparation coat brushed over the brick |
| Two renovator’s paintbrushes | $18.10 | Application of the preparation product and paint |
| Feast Watson soft wax | $17.90 | Protective finish applied after the milk paint had dried |
| Rust-Oleum Milk Paint Finish in Eclipse | $45.39 | Three coats on the mantel, plus paint on the lower brick |
| Total reported by the homeowner | $250 | One reader project, published in 2020 |
The itemized amounts do not represent a market survey, an average renovation cost or a promise that a similar project can be completed for the same sum today. A different fireplace may require additional masking, repairs, primers, tools or heat-rated materials.
Krystel’s process, step by step
The sequence below follows her account. It explains what she did, not what every fireplace owner should automatically copy. Before starting, confirm that your selected products are intended for the surface and heat conditions involved, and follow current manufacturer directions.
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Clean the brick
Krystel began by cleaning the brick. Paint adhesion depends on removing dust, soot and other surface contamination, especially around a fireplace opening. Let the masonry dry as directed by the cleaning-product and paint instructions before applying a coating. Cleaning is preparation, not an indication that a surface is automatically safe to paint near heat.
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Brush on one coat of preparation product
She applied one coat of British Paints 4 in 1 prep with a large brush. The preparation coat was used across the brick before the heavier sanding stage. Work methodically into the texture so the coating reaches the faces and joints you intend to cover, while keeping the application consistent with the product label and the fireplace maker’s requirements.
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Sand the dried preparation coat
Once the prep coat was dry, Krystel used an electric sander with 40-grit sandpaper. She identified sanding as the biggest challenge. Brick is uneven, so a power tool can remove material quickly from raised edges while leaving recessed mortar less affected. Use suitable dust control and personal protection, and avoid damaging the masonry or any appliance components. The account does not specify a machine setting, dust-extraction system or exact sanding duration, so those details should come from the tool and coating manufacturers.
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Prepare the mantel separately
Krystel lightly sanded the mantel before painting it. This was a separate, gentler preparation step from the heavier sanding of the brick. The amount of sanding needed depends on the existing finish and its condition; remove loose or failing material and follow the current label for cleaning and preparation.
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Apply three coats of milk paint to the mantel
She used Rust-Oleum Milk Paint Finish in Eclipse on the mantel in three coats. Between coats, she lightly sanded with 240-grit paper. The finer abrasive was used to smooth the finish rather than aggressively strip it back. She waited 24 hours between milk-paint coats, according to her account. Your recoat interval must follow the current product directions, which may differ by formulation, temperature, humidity and ventilation.
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Paint the lower brick
Krystel also applied the milk paint to the lower brick to create more of an open-fireplace effect. This treatment helped separate the darker fireplace area from the lighter painted surround. Keep the boundary intentional and inspect the brick texture from normal viewing distance before the next stage; the source does not give a specified number of coats for the lower brick.
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Wait 24 hours, then apply soft wax
After the milk paint, she waited 24 hours and applied Feast Watson soft wax. Wax changes the surface sheen and adds a finishing layer, but it is not evidence that the entire assembly is heat-safe. Confirm that a wax finish is appropriate for your exact surface and location, and keep it away from areas the fireplace manufacturer identifies as requiring clearance or heat-resistant materials.
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Allow seven days for curing before styling
Krystel left the wax to cure for seven days before styling the room. Her full start-to-finish timeline was 14 days, including that first week of curing. Do not place décor, timber, textiles or other combustible objects where the appliance instructions prohibit them, even after the finish has cured.
Why sanding determined the final look
The most distinctive part of the makeover was not simply applying a dark or light color; it was controlling how much original brick remained visible. Krystel said: “The biggest challenge was sanding. I sanded the bricks after painting them a total of 3 times until I was satisfied with how much red brick was exposed.” That statement describes an iterative visual decision. She did not sand once and accept a predetermined result. She painted, assessed the amount of red showing through, sanded again, and stopped when the balance suited her.
That approach is useful when planning your own finish. A small test area can reveal how the coating, brick profile and abrasive interact before you commit to the entire surround. Stop frequently to vacuum or wipe away dust and view the surface in the room’s normal light. Raised brick faces will usually reveal themselves before recessed joints, so an even-looking result from one angle can appear more varied from another. The account does not provide a target percentage of exposed brick, a sanding time or a grit progression beyond the reported 40-grit and 240-grit papers.
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Timeline: what the 14 days included
| Stage | Timing reported by Krystel |
|---|---|
| Overall project | 14 days from start to finish |
| Between milk-paint coats | 24 hours |
| Between the milk paint and soft wax | 24 hours |
| Wax curing before styling | 7 days |
The table reflects her personal schedule, not a guaranteed duration. Drying and curing can change with ventilation, temperature, humidity, coat thickness and the current instructions for each product. Plan for interruptions rather than assuming that a weekend schedule will reproduce her result.
Heat, appliance and product checks before you paint
General fireplace-painting guidance published by Angi and updated August 4, 2026, advises choosing an interior latex paint that can withstand high temperatures for a frequently used fireplace and stresses thorough brick cleaning. That is broad guidance, not confirmation that the products in Krystel’s project meet the requirements of your installation.
- Read the current technical data and safety directions for every primer, paint, wax and cleaner.
- Check the gas-fireplace manufacturer’s instructions for permitted coatings, clearances, ventilation and decorative materials.
- Identify which parts are masonry and which are metal, trim, vents, glass or appliance panels; a product suitable for one material may be unsuitable for another.
- Do not coat controls, vents, burners, glass or labels, and do not obstruct required airflow.
- Stop if the brick is damp, crumbling, contaminated with soot that will not clean away, or showing damage that needs repair.
- Ventilate during cleaning, sanding and coating, and use the protective equipment specified by the product and tool manufacturers.
If the manufacturer’s instructions conflict with the makeover sequence, the manufacturer’s instructions take priority. The available account does not establish the heat rating, emissions profile or appliance compatibility of the named products for every installation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to adapt the visual idea without copying the exact finish
Choose how much brick to reveal
A fully covered surround reads as a cleaner, more contemporary block of color. Selective sanding, as Krystel used, keeps red highlights and emphasizes the masonry texture. Decide this before you buy materials because the desired level of exposure changes the amount of sanding and touch-up work.
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Separate the surround from the opening
Painting the lower brick darker created the open-fireplace effect in Krystel’s room. A contrasting lower section can visually deepen the opening, while a single light color makes the surround read as one continuous plane. The source documents her darker treatment but does not compare it with alternative color schemes, so treat this as one design option rather than a proven best choice.
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Coordinate with the room around it
The makeover was conceived with natural timber and raw finishes. Those materials helped the painted brick, dark mantel and gas fire read as a coordinated focal point rather than an isolated patch of color. Use the same principle with your own room: consider flooring, mantel objects, wall color and lighting before final styling. Keep combustible décor outside the clearances specified for the appliance.
Common failure points and sensible responses
Paint will not adhere evenly
Uneven adhesion can follow inadequate cleaning, moisture, a glossy existing finish or incompatible materials. Stop, identify the surface condition and return to the current preparation directions instead of adding more coats blindly. The project’s reported cleaning and prep coat were specific to Krystel’s surfaces and products.
The brick looks too red after the first coat
Krystel did not treat the first painted appearance as final. She sanded the brick three times until the amount of exposed red suited her. If your aim is less color showing, do not assume aggressive sanding is the answer; confirm that the coating is dry, check whether another compatible coat is allowed, and follow the label.
The finish becomes marked during styling
Her seven-day wait applied to the wax before styling. If the surface remains soft, tacky or easily scratched after the stated cure period, delay use and consult the product maker. Heat exposure can also change curing behavior, so the fireplace instructions and finish instructions must be read together.
Dust spreads through the room
Electric sanding was the hardest part of the account. Isolate the work area, protect nearby furnishings and use the dust-control measures specified for the sander and abrasive. Clean residual dust before applying subsequent coats; particles trapped in paint or wax can alter texture and sheen.
What this makeover demonstrates—and what it does not
- It demonstrates that one homeowner combined cleaning, a preparation coat, sanding, milk paint and soft wax to change the appearance of a red-brick gas-fireplace surround.
- It demonstrates the effect of keeping some red brick visible instead of pursuing complete coverage.
- It records a reported $250 spend and 14-day schedule in Australia in 2020.
- It does not establish that the same products are suitable for every fireplace, heat exposure, substrate or region.
- It does not provide a controlled comparison with whitewashing, limewashing, masonry paint or an unpainted surround.
- It does not establish a typical cost, a universal drying schedule or a guaranteed finished appearance.
A practical decision checklist
Use this checklist before committing to a red-brick fireplace makeover:
- Decide whether you want full coverage or visible red brick and texture.
- Confirm the fireplace type, operating temperature requirements and prohibited coatings with the appliance documentation.
- Inspect brick, mortar, mantel and nearby metal for damage, soot, moisture or failing finishes.
- Choose products only after checking their current labels and suitability for each substrate and heat condition.
- Plan dust containment and ventilation for cleaning and electric sanding.
- Allow the label’s drying and curing periods; Krystel’s 24-hour recoat waits and seven-day wax cure are her reported schedule, not a universal rule.
- Keep styling items outside required clearances and verify that vents and controls remain unobstructed.
Krystel’s result works because the design decision, preparation and finishing sequence were treated as one project: lighter brick for the surround, a darker mantel and lower opening, and controlled sanding to retain selected red areas. The reported $250 budget and 14-day timeline show what her 2020 Australian project involved, while the safety and compatibility checks determine whether any version of the idea belongs on your fireplace.
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