First, you should clean the brick before you begin painting it. To do this, use a wire brush and soapy water to scrub down ...

Q–We have a fireplace in our home that we never use. The reason why is it is a wood-burning fireplace and it’s a pain to deal with. My husband wants us to look into something called a masonry ...

Is your outdated brick fireplace dragging down your room? If you’ve been wondering how to paint a brick fireplace to give it a fresh, weathered look without the hassle, this is the post for you. I’m ...

Dear Jim: I have seen pictures of beautiful European masonry fireplaces that can heat an entire house with only one short fire each day. How do these fireplaces work and are they applicable to ...

Dear Jim: I saw a home show about massive European-style fireplaces that can heat an entire home with only a 30-minute fire during the morning. Do these really work and are they energy efficient? - ...

Q: I saw a home show about massive European-style fireplaces that can heat an entire home with only a 30-minute fire during the morning. Do these really work and are they energy efficient? A: These ...

Sometimes, even despite attentive maintenance and care, brick masonry fireplaces amass a fair amount soot, mildew, and efflorescence that cumulatively dates a modern home. While a teardown of this ...

I’m departing from my usual question-and-answer format this week because I was blessed to have an interesting email exchange with one of my newsletter subscribers. I want to share it with you as an ...

It’s the time of year when folks start migrating towards their fireplace in the evening, if they’re lucky enough to have one. There is something deep in us that finds warmth and comfort, not just in ...

Brick fireplaces can be total stunners, but depending on the color, age, and condition of the brick, they can also feel like “a very dull sea of brown,” per Emily Hauffler of House and Hens. Fear not: ...

Every winter, I get quite a few emails from readers who suffer from smoky fireplaces. Just a month ago, one of my amateur radio friends reached out to me with the same problem. After asking him some ...

A brick fireplace is a common sight in many Westchester homes, but it may not fit more modern tastes. Here’s what to do if you want a change. We recently moved to a 1960s, contemporary-style house ...