Last September I announced that we were moving from our beloved home outside of Chicago to the Milwaukee suburbs. On December 21 we moved in to our new home, and since then, I have been busy unpacking and trying to make this house feel like our home! I tackled my first big project, which was a makeover of our massive 1970s fireplace, and I am thrilled to share my limewash stone fireplace makeover with you now! (Update: I subsequently finished my limewash stone exterior makeover, too! Be sure to check it out!)
Before I show you all the pretty “after” makeover fireplace photos, I have to show you the beast I was working with! Complete with a wide variety of orange rocks, this extra large fireplace really clashed with my living room decor.
As much as I can, I like to work with what I’ve got, though, and I did not want to tear down this fireplace (can you imagine the dust and mess?!?), concrete over the rocks, or frame it out with wood and ruin the 70s vibe we’ve got going on here. So, I did some research and decided to do a DIY stone fireplace makeover with Romabio brand limewash.
What is Limewash?
Sorry if you already know this, but I thought that some of you might be unfamiliar with limewash, so let me fill you in! Basically, limewash is a heavily mineral-based paint that produces a very chalky and matte finish. The minerals seep into the porous surface to which the limewash is applied and give a really authentic and aged look. It is VERY popular for painting bricks and other masonry, like stone!
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There are several brands of limewash on the market, and apparently you can even make your own! I chose to use Romabio brand limewash because I follow the company on Instagram and love every makeover I see with their products, and because their limewash is affordably priced and comes in many colors. I used the Riposo Beige shade for my limewash fireplace makeover.
Why Use Limewash on Stone and Brick Instead of Paint?
You might be wondering why I chose to limewash my stone fireplace instead of painting it . . .
Well, there are several reasons!
First, I like that limewash is removable within the first five days of application. This made the project seem less risky to me. Although it probably would have been messy and tedious to remove the finish if I didn’t like it, I felt good knowing that it wasn’t permanent if I hated it.
Next, I like that limewash has little to no odor, unlike many types of paint! I did this project in January with no windows open, and there were no stinky fumes invading my house.
Third, I liked that the finished look was completely up to me in terms of how much of the original stone color I wanted to show through. Simply by thinning the limewash with water, I would have been able to get a more translucent effect and would have allowed more of the natural stone color to show through. This is perfectly fine with limewash and does not affect the durability of the product! In my case, I was trying to mask the orange tones, so I applied the limewash in a more opaque finish. But had I wanted to, I could have allowed more of the stone color to show through.
What Supplies Do You Need for a Limewash Stone Fireplace Makeover?
Now that you have a little more background on limewash, let me fill you in on the supplies you need to limewash a stone fireplace. Surprisingly, it isn’t that much!
- Masonry brush
- Protective tarp
- Cleaning rags/towels
- Spray bottle with water
- Mixing bucket
- Stir stick
- Limewash (I used one quart of Riposo Beige for my fireplace)
- Painters tape
- Optional: smaller paintbrush to get in crevices and hard to reach areas
All in, this project cost me just under $70, and that is because I had to buy things like painters tape, rags, and a protective tarp (since the ones I already had are still packed away from the move). If you already have these items, your project cost will be less.
How to Limewash a Stone Fireplace
I think you won’t believe how easy it is to limewash a stone fireplace!
First, make sure to protect surrounding surfaces with a tarp and painters tape.
Next, clean the stone with a wet rag. Make sure to get rid of any cobwebs hiding in between the rocks, and get the rocks wet (but not dripping wet).
After the stone fireplace surround is clean, get out your water bottle and spray the rocks. You want the rocks to definitely be wet, but you don’t want water running down the rocks.
Now it’s time to mix up the limewash! For this step, make sure to read the product instructions that come with the limewash you have purchased.
I chose to mix my quart of limewash with half the amount of water (so, 16 ounces in this case), and this resulted in a thicker cover of limewash. Remember to mix, mix, mix the product so that there is no extra water left at the top of the bucket, and so that everything is all mixed together. This could take up to ten minutes because limewash is very thick to begin with!
Once the product is fully mixed, it’s time to apply the limewash to the fireplace. I started on the top side and worked my way down. I watched carefully to see when the limewash was almost dry (but not totally dry), and then began to wipe it off very lightly.
Doing this let some of the rock tones show through – but not too much!
I repeated this application / drying / wiping process across the front and couldn’t believe the immediate difference the limewash made! I won’t lie – I did have a minor time of doubt as it was such a drastic difference, but I know that I always do that with any project, so I calmed down and kept working.
Once I finished the entire fireplace, I went back in to the nooks and crannies I missed with the bulky masonry brush, and touched up those spots with a small paintbrush. (If you’re working with a limewash solution that is more diluted than my mixture, this may not be an issue for you!)
I stood back and admired the look of my limewashed rock fireplace, and then noticed how awful the orange hearth looked against it. I felt a pit in my stomach because I couldn’t let this orange hearth ruin this makeover! The limewash did not work on the marble hearth (I accidentally got some on the hearth and it wiped right off even though it had dried), so I had to think of a different solution.
The good news is that I did come up with a way to paint my marble fireplace hearth, and the whole project came together gorgeously! (Click that link if you want to learn how to paint a marble fireplace hearth, too!)
The Completed DIY Stone Fireplace Makeover
I know, I know – you want to see it! Here is the completed fireplace makeover – it looks so different!
I cannot believe what I accomplished for under $70!
And in case you’re wondering why I didn’t paint the brass fireplace doors – it’s because I like them! Brass is one of my favorite finishes.
Decor should be about what you like and not what others say you should do, so I am leaving them. (For now, at least. ;-)).
Final Thoughts and the Nitty Gritty on a Limewash Fireplace Makeover
In total, I spent just about 4.5 hours on this DIY stone fireplace makeover – from cleaning, to wetting the stone, to mixing the limewash, and applying the limewash. Note that if your limewash solution takes longer to get to the “wipe off” phase, your project time could be longer.
It was TOTALLY worth it. My living room is so much brighter, and my fireplace looks so much better. I didn’t have to spend a ton of money to make it look fresh, and I am so thankful to have found out about limewash!
I used an entire quart of limewash in the Riposo Beige shade for this fireplace and I didn’t have any left over. If you use Romabio Classico Limewash, they have helpful tools on their website that will let you figure out how much product you need for your specific project. They say that generally, a quart is enough for a fireplace makeover.
The next step in this living room overhaul is to paint the wall surrounding the fireplace (it’s currently a gray/purple color), and then paint the built-ins and get rid of the mirrored backs! UPDATE: I finished the mirrored built-ins makeover, and we replaced the carpeting with luxury vinyl plank flooring (you can read my luxury vinyl plank review here!) We would also like to have a mantel built for the fireplace, but it is surprisingly expensive (according to the one quote I’ve gotten), and my large round wood mirror gives the natural wood look we’re after – at least for now!
So, what do you think? Was this 1970s stone fireplace makeover a success? Let me know in the comments and please share this post to Pinterest to help others learn how to limewash their fireplaces, too! Us stone fireplace people need to stick together! 🙂
-Bre
susan says
It’s beautiful! My daughter did the same to hers and what a difference! I did wonder about the brass doors but after I looked again I like them! Can’t wait to see how you painted the hearth!
Bre says
Thank you, Susan! Yes the brass is “iffy” as they say, isn’t it? 🙂 I am happy I left it – at least for now! So happy your daughter’s fireplace turned out great. 🙂
Cheryl Schultz says
It looks great! I will keep this mind in case we need it.
Bre says
Awesome! Thank you! So glad you like it. 🙂
Kas says
Wow, what a simple solution to a dated fireplace! It looks lovely now and I love that you left the brass. Very curious to learn what you used on the hearth. I’m also looking forward to seeing the rest of the house and seeing how you transform and decorate other parts of it!
Bre says
Thank you so much! Yes, I am so thankful that it turned out well and was an easy fix! I am excited to share the updates to the whole house. Thank you so much for stopping by!
Laura says
Love the finished product! I’m looking at doing something similar but have lava rock not stones and mine goes all the way to the vaulted ceiling. Do you think this would work well for my project?
Stacey says
Hi! I just came across this post on Pinterest. You did a fabulous job! I was wondering, could you go even more opaque with lime wash.? I’m not sure I want any of the existing stone color to come through. Thanks so much for the tutorial!
Bre says
Hi, Stacey! Thank you! Yes – you definitely could go more opaque. The limewash has to be mixed with water for application, but you can mix with the minimal amount of water, apply rather thick, and not wipe any off, and you should achieve a color that doesn’t let stone show through! Good luck with your project!
Debbie says
I absolutely love this. I have a fireplace that looks exactly like yours and have been struggling for years trying to figure out what to do with it. Now I know. Going to go out and purchase the products and get started on it. I also found your info about the luxury vinyl planks very helpful. We are slowly updating our 70’s house also. Thanks again.
Bre says
Hi, Debbie! So exciting!!!! I’m so happy this post was helpful to you! Let me know how your fireplace turns out. I’m sure it will be gorgeous; this limewash stuff is so easy to use! Thanks for your nice comment.
Gwen says
What did you end up using for your hearth? Looks great!! My daughter just bought a new house and her fireplace looks just like yours, so we saw you post and loved the transformation !
Bre says
Hi, Gwen! AAAAH so exciting!! OK, so I have an entire post on the hearth, which should be helpful to you and your daughter. Here it is: https://averageinspired.com/2020/01/how-to-paint-a-marble-fireplace-hearth-in-four-easy-steps.html Check it out and if you guys have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out via the comment box or email!
Lauren J. says
Looks great! I’ve been scouring Pinterest trying to find a project like this! I’m having a similar issue with my limestone fireplace in our new house – but the orange and brown in it appears to be visible rust. Did what you were working with have visible rust on it? Or did the stone just seem to be orange colored? Mine is a mix of the white-ish limestone color and deep rusty spots imbedded throughout. Thanks!
Bre says
Hi, Lauren! Our stone definitely was orange colored and not rusty. If yours is rust/mineral that’s part of the stone I am fairly certain that you wouldn’t have any issues with the limewash. To be safe you could definitely contact Romabio (limewash manufacturer) to double check, but I am thinking you will be good to go!
Robin Hirano says
I just came across your site while I was looking for information on lime wash vs white wash. You’ve sold me! I’ll be using lime wash on our fireplace, which looks exactly like yours! Thank you so much for including excellent directions – this will make the process so much easier for me! Your end product (as well as your bookcases) looks absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Bre says
Hi, Robin! THANK YOU!!! Comments like yours are what keep me going! I’m so glad this post helped you!! Please feel free to reach out during your project if you need any help at all. I’m so excited for you. You’re going to LOVE it!!!!
Patty says
Happy New Year! Your fireplace is beautiful! We are in the process of updating our farmhouse kitchen. We have installed a brick backsplash that I want to lime wash. I’m having trouble choosing a color that will blend well with the walls. Our Home Depot does not carry samples. I’m hoping you can help. I love the soft off white appearance of your fireplace but the product in the bucket you have posted definitely looks beige. Did the color mellow to a off white? My kitchen walls are a soft off white… So I would like a soft off white lime wash color. Thank you for your help.
Patty 🙂
Bre says
Hi, Patty! This sounds like such a fun project you have planned! The color I used, Riposo Beige, definitely has some beige undertones, and I don’t think it’s the shade you’re looking for. The color of my limewashed stone tends to look different in different lights, but there is definitely a beige look at times! I would guess that Cristallo White might be the soft white you’re looking for. You could look on Romabio’s Instagram to see examples of that particular color – that might help! Or, it would be worth it to buy the quart size of the product and test. It’s around $32 from what I remember, so while it’s not cheap, it’s cheaper than buying the big size of a color you don’t like. Good luck!!
Ana Walker says
Hi Bre, love how your fireplace turned out. Would you happen to know if I could limewash a slate fireplace wall? It has beautiful colors on it and is matte not shiny. Thanks
Bre says
Hi, Ana! Thank you! Unfortunately I do not know if limewash works on slate. I bet the Romabio website will have information on that. If not, you could message them on Instagram or call customer service and they should be able to help you!
Bethany says
Thank you for this. I haven’t heard of limewash. I wonder how it compares to chalk paint. Do the rocks still feel like bare rock? I have a entire wall of my living room with similar stone -less orange, more white and the mortar in the cracks is brown. It’s the irregular shapes of the rock /mortar line that really bug me. You see similar fireplace walls on tv whenever they’re depicting a outdated home/low class family. I’ve lived with it 15 years hoping it would come back in style by some miracle. Changing wall color on adjacent walls helped somewhat. But you have given me the motivation to fix the rock. I like what you said about using what you have already, which is why I tried to like my rock wall for so long. I will limewash in a fairly light neutral I think and then over grout the cracks with an off white to make the wall smoother. I like your brass surround also. -Bethany
Bre says
Hi, Bethany! Great questions!! So limewash is similar to chalk paint in that it’s heavily mineral-based. However, with limewash you definitely have to dilute it prior to application, and you have much more control over intensity of color than with chalk paint. The rocks still feel like bare rock. and they look like it, too. The rocks do not look painted – the limewash makes it look as though the rock is that color. It’s really amazing and super affordable, too! Less expensive than it would cost to chalk paint the rock. This project will seem scary at first, but it will turn out great (it’s seriously foolproof), and I think you’ll love it!!
Tawni says
Hello! I love what you have done with your fireplace, the end result is beautiful! I just bought a house that the entire wall is a stone wall fireplace, but it is rounded stone that has the orange undertones like yours did. I thought it was I thought it was interesting you chose the beige color limewash. I am looking to make mine more of a white color, but yours does look somewhat white in your pictures so now I’m second guessing what color to actually get of the limewash, I was thinking the Avoria white. Since I also have that orange type of stone do you think using the white is a bad decision? Much like you I’m afraid of doing something and hating it and then I can’t go back! Thank you!
Bre says
Hi, Tawni! I think the Avorio White will totally work! It will cover the orange (unless you mix the limewash super thin). My fireplace looks whiter in the photos than it does to me in real life. It definitely is not white when you look at it in person, so if you’re wanting white, stick to your guns – don’t use Riposo Beige like I did. And here’s the thing – if you buy Avorio White and get it on and don’t like it, you could totally topcoat with a different shade of limewash! But, I have a feeling that won’t be a problem. :-). Good luck with your project!