How to limewash indoor brick wall?

[PujDD]

Hi team,

Given the success of my last project thanks to this community's advice, I'd be remiss if I didn't check in as I plan the next home improvement. 

We've got an indoor red brick feature wall in the main living and dining room of my new home. There's potential in the aesthetic, but it needs a spruce up. 

We're considering  re-mortaring it with a lighter grey mortar, and doing a light limewash to create a slightly weathered, recycled brick look. 

The room is on the darker side with limited natural light, so anything we can do to brighten it up, really. 

Picture of the current wall vs what we're hoping to turn it into attached. 

Is this realistic? What's the best technique to use? And ballpark timeframe (approx 7mx2.5m wall) I should plan for? 

Other ideas more than welcome! 

Thanks for the help!

[EricL]

Hello @PujDD 

Thanks for sharing your question about lime washing your brick wall. Using grey mortar and spreading it on the surface of your brick wall will give it that unfinished look. But I don't think it will give you that look you're after in the first picture. Plus, lime washing will make it more look your second picture. The technique they used is focused on strategically removing the lime wash on a certain number of bricks.     

I suggest having a look at these discussions - Limewash, paint or render the brick house? by @ivanptr and Limewash brick house by @Herrenovacation. 

Let me call on our experienced members @RenoRach, @redbournreno, @lifestylebymari, @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.    

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @PujDD 

Looking at the bricks themselves that you have I like the idea of lightening the mortar but not of trying for that recyled effect as your bricks are very uniform in colouring and type. You could try painting the mortar itself down below where the tv cabinet is to see how it would look?

The whole wall being painted a light white might give you a closer look to the examples you have shown. (test behind the tv cabinet )

Other Idea -

- Use Prempanel 2700 x 600 x 21mm Oak Timber Acoustic Panel to give the wall a change, I have seen a light grey panel but couldnt find it on the website 😕 So maybe have a wander in and see what is in stock? 

- VJ paneling vertical has been done a few times in here and looks outstanding.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @PujDD 

I really like your finished target and definitely feel this is doable. It's going to make a mess and will need a lot of drop-sheets but my first job would be to use an angle grinder with a masonry grinding disc to increase the depth of the course. This will then allow you a choice of coloured mortar to refill the courses and still have a recess.

Next step would be to apply a masonry sealer so that your layer of a water-based wash-wash to your preferred level of finish can be applied.

NMailbag

[Nailbag]

This is the lightest product they do now though not exactly the same @Dave-1 

[redbournreno]

Hi Pujdd,

I see what you are after but I'm not convinced it is easy enough to do or that you will achieve the look of the 2 photos you show.  The photos show reclaimed brick or very old irregular bricks, which isn't what you have. 

If you want to lighten up the space then I would suggest you just paint the brick in full, or cover with VJ panel as a feature and paint that.

An alternative to your reclaimed brick look might be the German schmear technique. Here is some advice from a previous post.  It is probably the best alternative if you are set on that type of look.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Outdoor/How-to-create-German-smear-on-an-exterior-feature-wa...

Good luck!

[Herrenovacation]

Hi @PujDD 

I think what you are wanting to do is quite easy. I am not sure if you have had a chance to check out my project as @EricL mentioned thanks Eric. 

My bricks were already pale but in my research and limewashing my house I learnt quite a lot. You can make the mixture as light or strong as you like. You could paint every second or third brick and you can paint the mortar as well. Before the mixture drys on the brick you can also rub it off with a cloth so it's not as strong. 

The only hard part is cleaning the brick prior to limewashing and also making sure you don't limewash on to dry bricks. 

Hope this helps happy to help with more questions.