• About
  • Contact
  • Courses
  • Binder Kits
  • Collaborate
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Organize
  • Projects
  • Lifestyle
  • Crafting
  • Seasonal
  • Courses
  • Binder Kits
  • Media and Press
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Organized-ish

Organized-ish

Progress > Perfection

  • Organize
  • Projects
  • Lifestyle
  • Crafting
  • Seasonal
stone fireplace with faux whitewash

Stone Fireplace Makeover Part 2: Faux Whitewash

August 23, 2021 · In: Projects

Learn how to give a stone fireplace a whitewashed look without diluting the paint and still get the same effect, and find out why we chose this method instead of traditional whitewashing.

Last week I wrote a post on how I cleaned our 1970s stone fireplace in preparation for whitewashing. I had originally planned on doing a 70% water 30% paint method to lighten the stone. But when whitewashing day finally came and stone was completely dry from cleaning, we quickly realized that we needed to change course.

Fireplace Before

Why Whitewashing Didn’t Work

The stones were already various shades of gray, and even the brownish stones had a gray undertone. The mortar all around the stones was also gray. So when we applied the 70/30 whitewash mix, our test stone just looked like a lighter gray. We upped the ratio to 50/50, and it was straight-up blue. Yikes!

stone fireplace whitewash consistencies

We tried one final ratio of 80% paint and 20% water, and yep, still gray. We were about to throw in the towel (literally) and just break out the paint sprayer and blast it with Sherwin Williams Alabaster and lose all the texture altogether. But then we had an idea. What if we treated it like a wood stain?

faux whitewash on stone fireplace

Our Faux Whitewash Hack

We painted a whole stone with 100% paint, used a dry painter’s rag to wipe off the excess, and dabbed the rag around to even out any obvious smears. It worked! It looked exactly like the whitewash technique we had been trying to achieve, and was way easier and a lot less messy.

whitewash stone fireplace

To make sure the stones looked as natural as possible, we made some of them more white than others, and even varied the thickness of paint on the mortar. Some stones have more gray peeking through, and others look more white. But there’s still so much texture and grooves and shadows happening that give the fireplace a ton of character and movement.

PS: You can watch the whole process in this Instagram Story Highlight!

faux whitewash floating stone fireplace

It Turned Out Exactly How We Wanted It To Be

It doesn’t look like it’s been painted by flat paint, and it still looks very natural. Like someone found a bunch of white sun-faded rocks from some exotic place and carefully stacked them into a fireplace shape. Which is one thing I should mention, too…

whitewashed stone fireplace

The previous owners of the house were the only owners other than us. And it’s clear that they either built the house themselves or were a big help in the construction. Everything in this house was clearly done with care and intention, and it’s obvious that each stone was specifically chosen and spaced out. It was built with love and made to last forever. We can definitely tell that.

stone fireplace with faux whitewash

Next Step Of The Living-Dining Remodel

So what’s next for the room remodel now that the fireplace is done? We are going to paint the ceiling and beams, along with the interior doors in the living-dining area. Once those two projects are knocked out, I can finally start styling the space. I have the rug of my dreams in the garage just waiting for its debut, and the most gorgeous Art Deco chandelier in a box behind the sofa that I can’t wait to show you. More on all that soon!

By: Lela Burris · In: Projects · Tagged: fireplace, painting

more posts you'll love

fireplace holiday decor minimal and unclutteredDecorating An Uncluttered Cozy Fireplace For The Holidays
fireplace mantel styling white stone fireplaceStone Fireplace Makeover Part 3: The Big Reveal
cleaning stone fireplace with drill brushStone Fireplace Makeover Part 1: Plans & Prep

Get Blog Posts In Your Inbox

Every Saturday morning I send out a weekly recap of all the new blog posts. Want in?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    March 11, 2023 at 5:47 pm

    Love the fireplace update!

    Reply
    • Brad Gandy says

      March 13, 2023 at 9:30 am

      We’re so glad you love it, and it’s still holding up well.

      Reply
  2. Hannah Crawford says

    January 14, 2022 at 6:39 pm

    Exactly what I need for mine!!! Love it. What specific type of paint did you use? Exterior, interior, latex, chalk, etc?

    Reply
    • Lela Burris says

      January 17, 2022 at 8:23 am

      Hi! I used exterior masonry latex paint.

      Reply
      • Iris Jones says

        February 22, 2023 at 12:26 pm

        So nice, what color exterior masonry latex paint did you use

        Reply
        • Brad Gandy says

          February 22, 2023 at 1:50 pm

          Thank you, Iris! We used Sherwin-Williams Alabaster. If you’re looking to copy, please keep in mind that we only used the exterior masonry latex paint because our fireplace is non-functional. If yours works, ask the experts at your paint counter what they recommend.

          Reply

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

Our Dining Room Design Plans

Primary Sidebar

Meet Lela Burris

Meet Lela Burris
hey-o!

My name is Lela, (say it like LEE-luh) and I'm so glad you stopped by my blog! Whether you're into organizing, home improvement, crafts, or you just think my pets are cute, you'll find all kinds of inspo here.

Tell Me More!

Connect

Get VIP Emails

Search

Shop My Planners

printable planners for home organization

Organize Your Craft Room

lela burris organiziedish

Hang With Me

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Follow Along

@lelaburris

Do you have a command center in your house? If you Do you have a command center in your house? If you’ve been planning on adding one, here are three tips for customizing it so it works for you:
1. Add a calendar so the whole family is on the same page about what’s going on that month.
2. Decide what needs to be stored in your command center and add storage based on those needs. Don’t worry about what other people use or keep in their own command center because we all live different lives and need different things.
3. Don’t try to make your family change their habits. If they’re used to dropping keys on the counter, a hook may not work for them. Instead, give them a bowl or tray to drop keys in. And if they’re used to sticking reminders on the fridge, add a bulletin or magnet board so they can put them there. Work *with* your family’s habits, not against them.
See the full project and get more command center setup tips in my newest YouTube video. All the product sources I used here are saved in the description of that video too. 🙌🏼
#commandcenter #organizationideas #homeorganization
Can I tell you a secret? I’ve never been a fan o Can I tell you a secret? I’ve never been a fan of doing yard work. The gas was stinky, the tools were loud, and the garage was a mess. But all that changed when I switched to @HARTtoolsUSA battery powered outdoor equipment.
Now I love the ritual of cranking up music in my earbuds, taking all the tools off the wall, and the instant satisfaction of the yard going from a chaotic mess to a well-manicured lot.
No joke, our neighbor who was using a gas powered mower actually apologized for the “noise” after hearing our 40V Supercharge Brushless Mower. 😅
Between the HART 40V Outdoor Power Equipment and the Garage Rail System, summer yard work has never been easier. Find them all online at walmart.com. I also saved all the info to a Story Highlight for you too!
#HARTpartner #DoItWithHART
Have you tried museum gel before? One of the most Have you tried museum gel before?
One of the most asked questions has the most simple answer. Museum gel comes in either sticker form like these dots I’m using or in a jar. It keeps things in place without permanently adhering them to a surface. Trays can be removed for washing then put right back in with the same piece of gel.
🛒 I saved my favorite types of museum gel to my Amazon Storefront, but you really can’t go wrong with any brand.
#kitchenorganization #drawerorganization #organizinghacks #organizationideas #amazonhome
If your jeans still look messy when hanging in the If your jeans still look messy when hanging in the closet, they may just need to be turned around. Make sure the booty seam is facing backward so all you see is a nice straight line.
Slim line hangers and arranging from light to dark shades also make your denim stash look just like a store in your closet.
#closetorganization #laundrytips #foldingclothes

Footer

Browse By Category

  • Organize
  • Projects
  • Lifestyle
  • Crafting
  • Seasonal

Get Organized-ish

  • Courses
  • Printable Planners
  • Shop My House
  • Amazon Faves

Blog Info

  • Contact
  • Media and Press
  • Disclosures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Organized-ish LLC © 2023 · Theme by 17th Avenue