Raise your hand if you have an opinion.
Oh good.
Come sit by me
I’m in the middle of re-decorating my mother’s beach house for an amazing project I’m working on.
And I’m stumped.
I’m at a crossroad and I don’t know where to turn or what to decide or which way to go or if I should just sit on this beach and read a good book and let the house decorate itself.
Can you help?
Before I get to the help part, let me show you what I’ve been working on so far.
I found these sand dollars. They don’t know it yet, but I have four projects for them.
I’m looking at you shower curtain.
I’m accessorizing with artwork made from shells.
These are tiny shells in different colors all glued together to create art.
Or a piece for the mantel–whichever comes first.
I found these old drawers with rusted hardware and they’ll become wall art.
This is the tip of a giant driftwood whale that I got for 50% off because he was broken.
And one of my favorite things I found to go in the living room.
An anchor in string.
So now you’ve seen the behind the scenes.
You’ve seen where I’m going. We’re in the middle of painting everything and the color scheme is navy and white with layered in texture (and wait for it….wait for it)…
…neutrals.
Please act like you’re surprised.
Which all leads me the opinion I’m looking for—this is the fireplace in the living room.
I’m adding in a mantel to the front that is going to be a big beam of reclaimed wood in the center. But here’s where I’m stumped.
Should I paint it–maybe a light white wash to match the bricks?
Or should I just leave the beam unpainted just like I found it?
To paint or not to paint?
Calling all opinions….this one’s for you.
PS And yes–those are revolutionary war men as andirons.
My grandmother found them for the house long ago. And no. She didn’t ask my opinion. 🙂
I think paint it white and accent with colorful pieces!
I vote for unpainted. You could put it up as is and then if you find you don't like it you can always paint it later on.
I am no expert but I say if the mantel wood is light leave it. If the wood is dark paint it white. But whatever you decide it will be great! Can't wait to see it when finished!!!
There is so much white I would paint it to match the two men holding the logs. I think the red in the brick is prominent enough by itself.
Wow what amazing accessories ! I would paint it quickly with a bit of white chalk paint to give it a driftwood finish! 🐳 What a great project to work on.
Unfinished if you whitewash the bricks.
I would try the reclaimed wood mantle first as is. Live with it a while and then it can always be painted later. The other natural wood pieces you have shared (if in the same room) would repeat the natural wood look. Excited to see the finished beach house and know it will be wonderful! Love neutrals!
Cool! Can't wait to see it all finished. If the fireplace were mine...I would either add more whitewash to the bricks or paint them out altogether. And yes! Leave the beam in its natural glory. :D
Unpainted! :)
Is it possible to wait to paint the mantel after you have decorated to see whether the room needs some depth and leave the mantel unpainted or if you have enough color even if it is neutrals and have the mantel painted.? Looking forward to seeing how you decorate your mother's beach house.
I love reclaimed wood. I would leave it in its natural state. It would really pop with the white washed bricks.
Leave it natural, the way you found it. You can always whitewash it white when the room is finished if you don't like it.
I say leave unpainted...let it's natural reclaimed goodness show through. (You could always paint it later.). Love your ideas....anxious to see it all together! ;)
I like the idea of a wooden mantle. You can always paint it later if you do not like the look of natural wood.
Unpainted for sure
Unfinished for a rustic look
My vote is unpainted...
Do not paint!! Leave it as is and do a clean crisp piece of art above it with a giant white matte!! ❤️ Let the piece be the texture! Good luck! Can't wait to see what you decide!! 😘😘
I cannot wait to see this project unfold as navy and white with neutrals is my favorite color scheme. The brick on the fireplace is fabulous. I would use the reclaimed wood as is. I think it will make more of a statement than white would. Good luck with your decision! I know it will be AMAZING not matter what you choose!
I have a beach home and use mostly white, some rustic driftwood tones, pale aqua accents and touches of metallic. My thought is that if the sea is right outside keep it light so that it doesn't compete.
I vote for UN-PAINTED / NATURAL.....
Those andirons have me swooning!!!!! I say leave it in its natural rustic state. Some things are amazing just the way they are. ;)
It's a beach house - it breathes in salt air & the natural driftwood mantel will too! I grew up @ the beach but had to leave long ago - still every summer (smack in the middle of the country) I get a whiff of salt air when I close my eyes. Enjoy your project!
I can't wait to see it! I'm thinking that you should leave the unclaimed wood alone:) I'm sure it will be amazing.
Since no one has suggested this yet, I'd go with your option to sit on the beach and read a good book and let the house decorate itself ;) But that aside, the natural wooden mantle would be beautiful!
Unpainted. I love what you have found. Just a personal note. I would love to see a beach house done with teal blue, a soft brown and cream or white. With a touch of gold in each room. Burnished gold.
Unpainted!! Great pictures.
unpainted rustic and enjoy the beauty !
I like continuity and say paint with white then wire brush so natural comes thru. With your keen design eye, you will know which direction as the room develops . BYW, I love the andirons
I vote for unpainted!
Not having seen the piece of wood in question, makes it a little harder to decide, but I think I would leave it natural to contrast with the beautiful patina on the face of the brick.
Hi, lovely beach house (home) love it! I would leave the beam as is. I just LOVE the color and patina of old wood and beams. Bottom line, your home, your call but...
Unpainted, especially if it is a driftwood/gray color. That would draw those colors out of the brick just above the fireplace. Driftwood...beach theme...anchors & whales & shells....oh my!
I would leave the beam in its natural state. Too much of the same thing everywhere is boring. After a while everything seems to blend so much that the objects lose their distinctiveness.
Unfinished for contrast and depth.
Don't paint.
I vote not to paint the reclaim wood. I would seal it to protect the wood. It would look great against the white washed brick.
I vote unpainted, unless it is all light without any texture, years of living!! And the first thing I noticed were those andirons. I love them since they are so different, just saying! I know they aren't beachy but maybe they are on leave from the service at the beach! It will be great no matter what you do.
I vote NO PAINT! The contrast will be beautiful!
I love unpainted wood, leave it plain. It will add more driftwood look to the decor, very beachy.
My vote is to leave it unpainted. I think the natural state will give the room some depth and warmth. You can always change the look later with a stain or a paint. By the way, the andirons make me think of that children's story, The Seven Chinese Brothers where the one brother lives through the fire. :)
I vote no paint. It will be beautiful against the white. Blessings, Linda
DON'T paint it! Leave it natural wood on a dreamy white washed fireplace. Besides, sometimes painting is just like trimming your bangs...you can't put the hair back on and once you paint it you can't make it look naturally reclaimed again. #howtoavoidbadbangfireplacemantels Nancy
Leave it natural. It will look so awesome and authentic. If you paint it some would always wonder what it's original beauty was. :)
Karianne ~ it's going to be GORGEOUS! Now...to answer your question. Not seeing the wood and having to guess the exact color leaves a bit of a dilemma, but I'll muddle through the best I can. :-) If it has lots of gray then dry brush a bit of white on it and that's all . If it has more wood tones then paint it kinda a faux barn wood with a little barboard stain, a tad of black and a bit of white paint. You know the look I'm talking about. :-) One thing about it ~ IF you decide you don't like it you can always go back and paint it white. It is much more difficult to paint it then strip it. Can't wait to see the metamorphosis this room goes through! Did I say it's going to be GORGEOUS!
PLEASE DON'T PAINT!!!
I vote for leaving the mantel in the natural rustic state - but as others have mentioned, you can always paint it later if you find you do not like it. And I actually love some of that red brick peeking through giving the fireplace a bit of historic charm - especially with your color scheme of blue, white & neutrals.
Can't wait to see the finished product. My vote is unpainted.
If the walls are white, I think I would either leave it natural or give just a very light white wash.
Unpainted. The brick is already a pretty solid white in the area where the mantel would sit so it would be lost if it were white too. Wood tone has more personality and character.
IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, I VOTE TO LEAVE THE MANTEL UNPAINTED. SOME OF THE BRICKS ARE UNPAINTED/AGED SO IF YOU PAINTED THE MANTEL, IT WOULD LOOK .... ' TOO NEW ' .
Leave it raw the way you found it. If it needs a little something down the road you can rub some chalk paint on it. The revolutionary men andirons? Well they are wonderful, and with your talent you can always paint them to look like sailors, or one of your talented daughters can....make it a family affair.
Agree to leave as is. I am huge proponent of leaving things as they are as much as possible. Once the mantel is installed and other pieces are placed in the room, you will have a better "look" on what you want. Whenever I have something that is the focal point of any room, I build around it first and then decide if it needs to be changed, Cant wait to see what you decide!
Here is a ninety year old's opinion..Today's thinking is "Quick lets paint" However history is being obliterated with paint. If the paint is ever removed (small chance) so is a layer of history . If it is not a new piece then leave as is. If it is just painted wood no one is ever going to ask "Where on earth did you find such a mantle" i Jere
I would start unpainted...you can always change it:)
I would leave it the natural color. Can't wait to see it all!
I would leave it the way you found it. I believe painting it white would make it blend in, unless that's the look you are going for. Can hardly wait to see the finished product!
Leave it natural. It will go with the beach atmosphere really well!
Unpainted. and then when the whole room is finished, you can paint it if you hate it.
Unpainted. The fireplace itself is beautifully rustic, not perfect...let the imperfections of the reclaimed wood shine through too. It will be the perfect focal point in an otherwise fairly clean space.
I would leave it unpainted so that it contrasts with the white brick.
I say unpainted, scrap some more paint off fireplace to even it out a little
If you are white-washing the brick, I'd go with unpainted. By the way, we have those same andirons at our little cottage on Cape Cod. They were there when my in-laws bought the place more than 50 years ago ... who knows how long they were there before that.
Leave the wood natural! Love your color scheme!
Hi Karianne! I say whitewash! But perhaps your whitewash could have a hint of subtle contrasting color. And of course, accessorize with your navy.
Don't paint it! Leave it natural. The contrast will look great!
My vote is unpainted! I like rustic. BTW I love your writing style - easy breezy like you are having a conversation with a good friend! And you make me laugh!
Not all wood is equal. If the raw wood is light and has no patina, it will just be blah against the brick. If it is a lovely aged gray or a rich dark wood, it would add interest, depth and texture to the fireplace. My heart (and my opinion) leans toward leaving it natural and let it really stand out, especially to balance out the darker andirons down below.
You do not want the mantel to blend in and disappear. Leave it unpainted.
I vote leaving it natural to compliment all the other natural elements going into the room. 😊
Oh swoon! That fireplace is stinkin amazing! I def say unpainted & natural!
Leave unpainted!!! It's going to look awesome can't wait to see the final reveal 👯💟☮️ Lisa💟
If you're not doing anything to the bricks (please say you're not) then the mantle should be dark to balance the color in the lower bricks.
I would re-whitewash the brick and as for the mantle beam, I would treat it to deepen and enrich the wood tones, but not paint it.
My vote is not to paint it.
I stopped thinking when you spoke about just sitting on the beach ... If you wait for me, I'll bring the drinks (and we'll let the others work ! ....) Good luck !
I say unpainted! So pretty! Wish you could come decorate my house!
You could do that "Presto-Change-o " thing that Layla does over at The Lettered Cottage!! See which picture suits your fancy??? ... painted mantle.... not painted mantle... !!!! Either way will be AMAZING I AM SURE!!! My personal vote?? .... No paint! ( So excited to see the finale').. AND.... Im kind of liking the "Warmen" .. :)
Leave it unpainted for that casual, relaxed feeling that only the beach can provide.
Definitely unpainted. The natural wood will be a beautiful contrast with the white brick. Looking forward to seeing it finished. Please keep us updated. Love to see how you put a project together.
I also think unpainted would be wonderful against the patina of the brick :)
I love what you are planning to do with the sand dollars and the navy/white/neutral 😊 theme. I think that with the white in the washed brick, the sand dollars and the other neutrals, I believe that the beam left in the natural wood would add a warmth and a beautiful contrast. Love your blog ☺️, Tracy
Natural, please.♥
Oh my you forgot this mermaid surrounded by a sea of green but it iscorn! Enjoy your family time. Glad you escaped even though you are working.. being an ocean lover I like things natural you can always paint later. Love the blue and white! Can't wait to see! Include some memorykeepers.. have fun!
unpainted,i think--if you are on the cape anywherenear chatham you mustn; t forget to include a shark in your décor!!!!
Unpainted in its natural state as you found it...after all, don't we all want to be accepted as we are? [Age spots and all??] :) And I love the andirons. Sweet addition and great memories! Can't wait to see the results. You are such a Rock Star!!
Is the brick staying distressed? I see the black iron. Maybe consider an ebony or dark gray mantel? (So exciting! I love navy and white beach houses)
Don't paint it. Everyone can paint white all the time.. STOP. Leave it natural. The look of the wood is the beauty. Don't cover everything in white.
I say paint it the same color as the red bricks. It will be a nice juxtaposition and will add a dash of color when you least expect it. The brick is there don't ignore it or waste it. This from a denim sofa girl who lives on an island.
Unpainted
Depends on the color of the mantle... if it's warm tones I'd leave it natural... if gray tones I might hit it with a light hand dry brush white.
I vote for unpainted - that would look amazing with the whitewashed brick and P.S. I think those little men are pretty cool looking!
I say unpainted, but anything you do will be beautiful!
put it all together quickly and go sit at the beach. Don't paint the mantel.
Step away from the paint!
Okay, I'm not going to read everyone else's comments so forgive me if this seems repetitive. If I were decorating a beach house for myself, I would probably paint it white, because I love white and I'm not a fan of the typical "rough" beachy look. (I go for mother-of-pearl glam in my home...but if I was decorating a beach house for multiple people to use,. I would probably make my beach house fun and colorful. BUT, since we're talking about YOU & your mom's beach house, chances are she likes YOUR STYLE, since she asked for your help...so definitely don't paint it. White would get lost in the white-washed brick, so let it be natural.
Do not paint!
I would vote for an unpainted mantle
Oooo...I love all the pieces and the ideas for using them! I think I would leave the beam the way it is. In my opinion, nothing patinas better than nature itself. Oh, and I did my best to act surprised when you mentioned neutrals :o Besides (also in my opinion) neutrals will be the perfect backdrop for the stark blue and white (Navy blue, right?)
Don't paint it! That fireplace needs some man wood, aka unpainted wood.
I would vote unpainted for some contrast and the natural wood would add a rustic touch...reminiscent of drift wood.
Wow... LOTS or replies! Yay! Unpainted... see how you like it, and then whitewash if needed. :-) I think repeating the natural elements of the accessories will be nice! Have fun, KariAnne!
Unpainted!!
I just whitewashed my fireplace. It had a very hefty mantel stained very, very dark. I painted it white and love the lightness it gives to the room. Having said that, if you have found reclaimed wood that seems to be very expensive nowadays, I would leave it natural, especially if it is lighter.
So many opinions!! It's hard to say without seeing it, but if it looks like it looks in my head, leave it natural! :)
It will look great no matter what you do Karianne! You are just that kind of person! Personally I definitely join the choir of no-painters! But IF you insist on paint... then I would very-very-soft-pink-/rose-/green-/or-something-wash it - simply to have an additional soft contrast colour to join you white and blue. But maybe that's just me. I like colours when they come in threes :-)
Unpainted. Contrast against the white fireplace with pops of color on top. Love the andiron Revolutionary men.
Hi! I vote for whitewashing the bricks and leaving the mantel wood as is.
Don't paint it.
Hi! Can hardly wait to see what you do with this project...I vote with the UNpainted crowd! ;) The top part of the fireplace brick is already very white. Whatever you do, it will look GREAT!
M vote goes to the unpainted! LOVE white & white washed, but the wood sounds so beautiful and natural---what every room/beach house needs!!!
Unpainted, baby!
Unpainted!
Unpainted, like it just washed up. ❤️
Well, you asked for opinions, and apparently your readership isn't done speaking! LOL! I've never SEEN so many comments! Mantle? Au Naturale, if you please. Brick? I would try to get some MORE paint to chip off! :) I love brick peeking through aging paint . . . Can't wait to see the end-product! Have fun with it!!
I vote unpainted.
Tough one! I would almost always say leave it raw but I think I'm going whitewash on this one. Can't wait to see what you decide!
Do not paint the mantle.
Do you have a small piece of wood that you could paint just to get an idea if you want to paint the mantle?
I would say do not paint the mantle.
I agree with Lisa (#2 in the comments). You can't unpainted something. At least not easily. But you can always add paint later . Can't wait to see your finished beach house. Please share❤️
UNPAINTED! Definitely unpainted!
Brick - painted white Mantel - leave wood raw OR if you want to think outside the box - would it be too kitschy to paint the mantel navy? OR paint the inside of the fireplace navy (requiring a special fireproof paint) with a raw wood mantel?
definitely leave the wood raw
No paint.
The sea washes many things ashore, let your mantle reflect the shades of driftwood. Of course I have an opinion 😂 It will be lovely anyway you decide.
Whitewashed bricks with reclaimed natural wood beam--so perfect--then you can just add some nice cobalt blue bottles and maybe a white wood lantern to the mantel for decoration.
I think it should be like the shade of the whale and the drawers!
If you could find a beam that's a weathered grey I think it would look better than a white.. maybe make a wood clock with sea shells or sand dollars for the hours. Or sea glass.
Unpainted fireplace!! It already is to die for!!!! Love it!! Love it!! Love it!!!!!!
How about bleaching the wood? That would go nice with the fireplace the way it is.
I think it would it look great left in painted
I think it would it look great left in painted
UNPAINTED!!
UNPAINTED!! Nice contrast to the fireplace.
Natural but sealed (to provide a smooth surface).
Unpainted! Also, you might consider more "german shmere" (sp?) effect to the bottom of the fireplace to even out the look that would add a little white to the brick where it's all red and balance it visually. Good luck!
My word, so many opinions! Please paint all the brick white and leave the mantel natural...like driftwood on sand!! Good luck!! xoxo p.s. Why do some people who comment have a picture and some do not? Hmmm...
At first I thought no painting leave as is, but then I thought paint it white/grey weathered look. Whatever you decide I know it will look great as always! Can't wait to see it!
I would leave it unpainted, because there is white paint on the brick already. I can't wait to see it. I'm sure whatever you do will look amazing
Unpainted. You can always paint it later if you decide it doesn't fit the look you want.
I'm voting for unpainted. If you don't like it after living with it for a while you can always paint it. Little harder to do it the other way around. :-)
I would leave it natural.
I would leave it unpainted. I think it would compliment the other elements of the decor and make a statement along with the awesome bricks of the fireplace. Someone else mentioned and I agree, if it really doesn't feel right, you could always paint it later on.
Unpainted for sure.
I love white; however, in this case I think a contrast against the white would fit the look beautifully. If your mom doesn't like it, paint it at that point.
As a recovering Paint Addict, my natural response here would be to unleash the paint demons buuuuuttt..... there is something so delicious about a cleaned up piece of beaten up barn beam! Maybe just a sanding and a coat of low/satin poly? Start with it's amazing self and if it needs a bit of jzooshing - well, jzoosh! I just think a painted mantel would disappear on the brick. I know it's gonna be ah-may-zing!
I vote for natural look!!! It's going to look great
PA-LEEEEASE N.O paint...............at least not till family has lived with the natural mantel 6 months. THEN each will/should know whether to keep it natural or it neeeeeeds paint. After all it is a beach home............driftwood, wood whale, string anchor. shells..........natural. NOW go and sit on the beach and enjoy where you are. Jean McGee
I guess it depends on what color the wood is.....if it's a rich brown, it would definitely add to the fireplace, but if it's "boring" and doesn't stand out, then I would paint it so that it did stand out!! Can't wait to see the finished product.....I love blue and white!
Don't paint the mantelpiece! If painted or even washed, it will be lost on the background of whitewashed brick. Your eyes will have something to land on if the mantle is left unpainted. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!
It would look good in natural wood or painted white with your touch but what if you left it natural but than added a fishing net across and put a variety of white shells and sand dollars in the net to brighten up the area?
Either way would look great. I generally love the natural unclaimed wood for its rustic look. But I could also see the mantel having a grey/white wash of color to keep everything light (driftwood is more grey than brown). I think it depends on what else is going on in that room to tie the natural mantel in. You have excellent taste so whatever you do will be a winner. This also might be a time to ask your family members who will be living there which they prefer. Maybe leave it natural and make a scrap piece that you've washed with paint to hold up in front of it so they can get a feel for the difference. Good luck.
I think unpainted.
Unpainted
Natural
I would install the mantle first and see how it looks. If it looks good on the fireplace as is, Great. If not, then I would paint, possible a navy blue or a shade of blue that goes along with the rest of your design scene!
Unpainted
I would do a schmear...
Don't paint it. Contrast will be nice:)
Unpainted, but maybe sealed. It's going to be beautiful!
Unpainted.
Please leave the wood mantle neutral. I think it will break up the wall and add interest. The brick is beautiful!!!
How about a rich Navy white washed, to stand out and bring out the colors of the room.
my vote is unpainted... have fun decorating!
It seems to me that the old mantle has a history it wants to write while the house makes new history. I think a white mantle on the white schmeared brick, which I love, by the way, would just be pretty much of the same old song. I think that mantle, with all its beautiful old wood, wants to sing something classic, something harmonious. Have so much fun leading the choir.
I think I would leave it unpainted. xo Pat
I would try it natural first! I always LOVE what you do, I know it will be great! P.S. I really like the soldiers too!!! Can't wait to see what you come up with!😍❤️
UNPAINTED! You will be happy with the contrast and it will "anchor" the room! It's gonna be gorgeous!!
Wow! There are so many opinions! And I'll add mine.. Leave it natural, the organic element will balance out all the white/neutral and man made items. If it's white washed, it might get lost in the brick. Best of luck, it will be amazing! And then go sit on the beach. 💋
I vote for White wash.
Au natural!!!
Natural and unpainted please. It would be a lovely complement to the texture of the bricks. It would disappear if it was whitewashed.
Unpainted by all means. If you white wash it, it will just blend into the wall. And, by the way, for your mom and her beach house...be sure to buy the book "Gift from the Sea" by Ann Morrow Lindbergh and have it just laying on a table somewhere with a jar full of shelves. If you get the book and read it, you'll understand why I'm suggesting that. ;)
I love the natural wood--a driftwood color. Enjoy that fabulous beach time!!!
Hiya- is there any chance of getting a photo of the beam in question? That way we actually can see what colour it is now, before giving an opinion to paint or not to paint? Still loving your blog, KariAnne.
I think I counted 6, 937 suggestions. Though I might be prone to exaggerate in situations like these. ;) All I can think about is the shell art and those andirons. (I'm sure you could sell the later to the highest bidder and they would go high. So cool for a very traditional home with blue and white pottery and a Chinese accent or two, but I digress! LOL) If you'd like one more opinion (my best subject since high school) I say... leave it natural. Yup. No fuss, no muss and totally a wow! Do you do ANYTHING that isn't a WOW? Because even sliding down the hill in front of all your adoring fans after speaking is pretty much a wow isn't it? xo
P.S.- There is a great stain out by Minwax called "Driftwood" that might be right up your alley- Pam
I'm inclined to leave it natural. I'm sure whatever you decide will be wonderful. I'm intrigued by the shell art...I want to see it! 😊 Hugs, Cecilia
I agree with the many who said "unpainted!" I wouldn't paint more of the bricks, either! I just love that the fireplace has acquired its existing, beautiful patina through the years, and any paint added now (such as "schmear") would only serve to detract from its history. I think natural wood as a mantel will balance the lower red bricks. Of course, if you do not proceed as I voted, it will still be AH-mazing, I know! So, I'm anxious to see what you DO! Hugs, Dear!!!
I would leave the mantel as is (natural). And I would also leave the fireplace bricks just as they are (maybe seal them with something clear to prevent more chipping and flaking of the paint). Such great color and texture! Honestly, whatever you end up doing will be amazing. Like as in all the way amazing.
I ALWAYS have an pinion! I say leave the beautiful natural way God left it for you
leave unpainted for texture and a tie in to the andrirons.
I'm visual so I'd like to see it but I would not paint it. I think it would pop more. And as many have mentioned, if you don't like it then you can paint it.
I'd leave as is...I love the color and texture of reclaimed wood.
Natural and make it wide enough to use some of you favorites on it! The Hessian soldiers could be original or reproductions. I wouldn't touch them but maybe to dust them occasionally!
Leave the beam as is-----you can always paint it---later if necessary. Undoing paint---now can be another thing. With your other pieces, wood will be great all year round. Sandi
Mantel dry brushed in a bit of navy grays little white and cream sand dollars mounted on canvas wrapped foam board and nail heads around the edges or whatever else you find wish I were doing this with you
The color scheme will be awesome - the fireplace IMHO should become a pallette for all the beachy colors. Along with a "natural" driftwood mantel will be double awesome. The fireplace is just too rustic and needs paint help badly. JudyC
Unpainted! And... those revolutionary men andirons are kind of creepy. I'm hoping that if you are asked, they march out the door :)
Wow so many comments you've probably decided by now but I'll add my 2 cents just the same. Don't paint it, see how it looks and if in the future you don't like it you can always paint it.
Unpainted...can always paint it later...it's a beach house...thinking driftwood against a white background...
I would want to brick painted a bit more so the red does not show so much below the hearth and then I would use the mantel in its natural state to add depth and interest. I prefer my brick to look clean and finished so the primitive look does not do it for me. Can't wait to see the finished project. I loved the table you did for the porch.
Leave it unpainted until the whole room is done and everything is in it's place,, THEN decide. No mistakes that way!
German shemere the bricks and natural wood for the mantel. And the quirky little men should stay ha!
I vote for not painting the mantel. I like the rustic element against the cool brick fireplace.
Unpainted mantel!! Rustic wood ❤️
If you're leaving the brick exposed and chippy like it is, I would just stain/seal the beam.. and seal it good so the rags/paper towels don't get stuck when wiping clean.. that way it keeps the natural and old look going But if you're reprinting the fireplace, do the beam too But when you have brick already that perfectly chippy and spending money on reclaimed wood, why would you do extra work to make it look new?
I vote unpainted for contrast.
Unpainted, especially since it's a beach house. Love natural wood!
Unpainted, please. The natural wood would look best on this fireplace.
I say leave the beam unpainted and lucky you to have a great project ahead of you.
HI kari....I would leave the reclaimed wood in its natural state, I think it will go great with the drawers , whale and early men. Can't wait to see it .
I think it's already imperfectly perfect, leave it be.
Most definitely leave it in it's beautiful natural state! IMHO....The contrast will look lovely and after all the beach is, well.....natural. Blessings!
Leave It! Do Not Paint! I know you love all things reclaimed and given a re- on life! But the natural wood will speak volumes in that space- more than if it was hidden with paint. Plus I love the idea of the natural wood playing with the tones in those andirons!
My vote is no paint. I think reclaimed wood will look pretty just as is!