I hear you on the orange brick—ours is a weird brown and I keep thinking about painting it, but then I worry I’ll regret covering up the original. Has anyone tried those faux stone panels? I’m tempted since they look nice in photos, but I wonder if they feel plasticky in real life. Also, does anyone have tips for making a facelift look more “intentional” and less like a quick fix?
I’ve seen those faux stone panels up close and, honestly, they can look a bit like a movie set if you’re not careful. Sometimes they’re more “plastic castle” than “rustic retreat.” If you’re worried about regret, maybe try a limewash or a mortar wash on the brick instead? It keeps the texture but tones down the color, and it doesn’t scream “I just covered this up in a weekend panic.”
Sometimes they’re more “plastic castle” than “rustic retreat.”
Totally get what you mean—some of those panels just don’t pass the up-close test. I did a mortar wash on my old brick and it made a huge difference. Still looks like real brick, just less... red. No regrets so far.
I get the “plastic castle” vibe—some of those faux panels just look off, especially when you’re standing right there. I tried a limewash on our fireplace instead of paint or panels, mostly because I wanted to keep the texture but tone down the color. It’s not perfect, but at least it doesn’t scream “fake.” Ever notice how some of those panel kits claim to be eco-friendly, but they’re just more plastic? Kind of defeats the purpose if you ask me...
Ever notice how some of those panel kits claim to be eco-friendly, but they’re just more plastic? Kind of defeats the purpose if you ask me...
I get what you mean about the plastic, but I’ve actually found some of those faux stone panels to be a decent budget fix—especially if you’re dealing with a really ugly brick. Not everyone can swing real stone or even limewash, and sometimes the “fake” look is better than staring at chipped paint or soot stains. I do wish more companies would use recycled materials though.