Painted stone fireplace makeover
You know I love a “better than it was” project, and this painted stone fireplace makeover definitely fits the bill. For eight months I stared at the fireplace, bothered by the mauve grout, dated stone color and its off-center placement. Tearing it out would have solved the problem, but that route meant time, money and a big mess.
With other projects and a tight budget, I kept asking myself whether this makeover was worth starting. How much should I invest? Would painting ruin the stone or actually help? The fireplace had taken over the room, demanding attention and conflicting with the look I wanted. I had a clear vision for how it might look in an ideal remodel someday, but I wasn’t ready to commit to a full renovation right away.
I considered a light update—adding trim or a mantel later—but I couldn’t stand the pinkish grout any longer. Rather than waiting months or years, I decided to try a simpler, low-cost change: painting. If it failed, I could always redo it later. If it worked, the room would feel more cohesive while we saved for a future remodel.
Painting seemed like the easiest and most reversible option. Once I committed, new questions arose: what paint to use, whether to sand or prime, and most importantly, which color. White would make the fireplace recede, but I didn’t want plain white unless it was executed beautifully—and I already have a white brick fireplace elsewhere in the house. I settled on gray as a neutral choice that would blend with my palette and still be easy to change later.
Phew—color decisions aren’t permanent, so I moved forward. I decided to try a chalk-style paint because it tends to adhere well and keeps the stone looking natural instead of overly painted. I bought a can of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey and was pleasantly surprised at how little I needed.
We used just a small amount of paint, so the makeover was very budget-friendly. There was plenty left in the can for future projects.
How to: We wiped the stone clean of dust and cobwebs, then diluted the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint with water to keep the stone’s natural texture visible. The mix wasn’t exact—this is flexible and depends on how translucent you want the finish. For our application we used roughly a quarter cup of paint mixed with water to make about a cup of wash, then brushed a single coat over the stone. The result was subtle yet transformative.
One coat gave the fireplace the softer, more neutral look I wanted without losing the stone’s character. I’m still considering additional updates like adding a mantel or wall planks, but for now the room reads better and feels more balanced.
A fireplace can be a focal point, but it doesn’t have to dominate the room. Painting a dated feature can reduce its visual weight and allow other design elements to shine. If you dislike a built-in element, a paint update is an affordable, reversible way to make it fit your space while you plan bigger changes.
Don’t let a dated feature boss your room around. Paint what you don’t love so it blends in, or update something to look better than before. No shame in the in-between stage—you might love the result, but you’ll never know until you try.
Sources:
Chalk Paint – Annie Sloan Paris Grey
Paint Color: Swan White by Glidden
Room inspiration: Painted Fireplaces
