Mid-Century Modern Living Room Makeover

January 19, 2021

A lackluster living room is warmed up with new modern design elements, including a spark of mid-century style and a freshly primed and painted fireplace that pops against on-trend navy walls. For this painting project that includes sealing porous brick and covering an old wall color, KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer is perfect for the job as it’s formulated for a variety of surface types. 

Brick is a naturally porous surface and will typically soak up a lot of paint if not properly sealed with the right primer, making proper prep essential when painting a fireplace. KILZ 2 All-Purpose is the right choice for the job, as the versatile multi-surface sealer is able to work overtime and coat both the fireplace and walls. Even when painting a darker color over a light color, it is essential to prime first to ensure that the new dark shade appears as the exact color you’re expecting.

Once the fireplace and walls are properly primed and allowed to dry, it’s time for paint! KILZ Tribute® in Architectural White TB-08 transforms the fireplace into a creamy white focal point for the large living room, highlighted by walls painted in a stylish navy shade – Ruling Royalty TB-50.

Primer and paint make a huge impact in this living room makeover and create the perfect setting for contemporary furniture and décor. A warm leather couch and two snowy-white armchairs flanking the freshly painted fireplace evoke a mid-century feel, while pops of navy in pillows and artwork are the perfect companion for the new navy walls.

Read on below for step-by-step instructions to prime and paint living room walls and a brick fireplace.

WALLS

Step 1:

Wipe down walls with a damp cloth to ensure they are clean and free of dust. Allow to dry.

Step 2:

Tape around the fireplace, baseboards and moldings with painter’s tape to ensure you don’t get primer or paint where you don’t want it!

Step 3:

Next, apply 1 coat of KILZ 2® All-Purpose (stirring thoroughly before and occasionally during use) to the walls and allow to dry. Apply primer using a brush first to “cut in” around the edges, then use a roller to fill in.

Step 4:

Once primer is dry, apply KILZ Tribute® in Ruling Royalty using the same application method as the primer (using a brush first to cut in around the edges 4 to 6 feet at a time, then use a roller to fill in those sections before moving along).

Step 5:

Remove the tape before the paint is fully dry.

FIREPLACE

Step 1:

First, you’ll want to clean the old brick fireplace. If it’s extra dirty, start with a vacuum and use the crevice tool attachment to clean between the bricks. Next, wipe down the fireplace with a damp cloth to ensure all surfaces are clean and free of any lingering dust. Allow to dry.

Step 2:

Tape around the fireplace to protect the walls and floor. Also tape around the mantel and where the brick meets the firebox (the inside where the wood goes!) to keep that area protected from paint and primer. 

Step 3:

Now it’s time to prime! Using KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer, start with an angled brush to cut in around the mantle.

Step 4:

Next, use a roller to cover the brick faces with primer. If needed, go back with a small angled brush to fill in any remaining grout areas. Allow to dry.

Step 5:

Once your primer is dry, apply KILZ Tribute® in Architectural White using the same application method as the primer (use a brush first to cut in and then use a roller).

Step 6:

Remove the painter’s tape before your paint is fully dry.

Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.