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When we bought our house, the fireplace wall was crimson red and the fireplace itself had a very traditional look. Over time, I simplified the surround by removing some of the ornate molding, built a wood mantel, and assembled IKEA bookcases on either side. I painted the brick white first, then later painted it a deep charcoal during my brief modern-farmhouse phase because I wanted the fireplace to stand apart from the bookcases.

For a while, I liked the contrast. But over the years, the dark brick began to feel heavy. I missed the warmth and texture of the original brick, and I wanted the room to feel more cottage-like and collected. I still wanted the fireplace to be a focal point—just a softer one.

So I decided to strip the paint from the brick and repaint the surround Benjamin Moore Pashmina. I didn’t capture every step on video, so this is a project recap and what I learned from working with our very textured brick—not a full step-by-step tutorial.

Protect first—and protect more than you think you need to

The fireplace brick has lots of grooves and divots, so I knew the removal could be messy. I taped off the nearby surfaces and covered the floor and surrounding area with plastic, then paper and cardboard. In hindsight, I would protect a full three to four feet around the fireplace —not just the immediate edge. Also, cover the sides and the opening to te fireplace- all before you begin, Fine debris traveled farther than I expected and taking 5-10 extra minutes of prep beforehand will save you tons of time at the end.

I used a low-VOC paint stripper to soften the paint and covered the treated areas with laminated paper. It had very little odor in my experience, but I still followed the product directions and kept the room ventilated. I applied it generously with a chip brush and checked a small area before moving on. At first, the paint wasn’t ready to release when I peeked under the paper, so I left it longer. The timing can vary with the product, the paint, and the brick; follow the label rather than assuming it will lift on a set schedule.

The textured brick needed more than hand scraping

Once I started removing the softened paint, I realized how much the brick’s rough surface affected the job. A scraper and hand brush weren’t getting into all the low spots. A drill fitted with wire-brush attachments made the biggest difference for my brick. I used a few shapes—a wheel-style brush, a broader brush, and a narrow brush—to reach different areas and crevices.

This was the most labor-intensive part, and I worked slowly across the surround and hearth. I didn’t record the actual brushing, so this isn’t a step-by-step demonstration. If you try a similar project, protect yourself from flying debris, keep dust under control, and follow the stripper manufacturer’s instructions for cleanup and disposal. If you’re unsure about the age of paint layers beneath the paint you applied, test for lead before beginning the project or using a powered brush or other abrasive method. Protect your eyes with goggles and wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting messy.

The brick is porous, and I didn’t remove every trace of the charcoal paint from its deepest crevices. I actually like that. The remaining dark bits add depth and make the brick feel aged rather than newly exposed. The wire brushing also seemed to soften some of the brighter orange tones, giving the surface a more varied, timeworn look.

After cleaning up, I painted the surround two coats of Benjamin Moore Pashmina in eggshell. The warm neutral still lets the fireplace stand out, but it feels much lighter and less dramatic against the exposed brick.

The finished fireplace feels like the direction I was trying to find all along: warm, layered, and full of character. This house—and this fireplace—have gone through a lot of experiments while I’ve figured out what feels like us. One project at a time, I’m making our home cozier and bringing back the cottage charm I love.

You can find all the suppies I used here:

A note before you start: Every painted-brick project is different. Use a test area, read and follow the stripper label, use appropriate protective equipment, and confirm the brick and mortar are suitable for the methods you plan to use. Don’t use the fireplace again until all stripper residue has been removed and the finish is ready for heat according to the product instructions.

Thanks for following along as we make our home cozier and more full of character, one little project at a time. I hope you’ll come back for whatever we dream up next!