Exposed brick walls in residential interior design will not leave you indifferent. Generally, opinions split from loud enthusiasm to a genuine lack of understanding: “how we can live with IT”. However, if you are a fan of industrial and vintage aesthetics, lofts and interiors with a twist, doubts do not arise: if the walls in your home is made of brick, to hide such beauty and rich texture just not worth it!

The interior is from Robert Jenny Design

The bricks will never look corny, too medansky or pretentious and will be a great background, both modern and traditional furniture. In this case, you do not have to leave it laying everywhere, rather one accent wall in any room of your choice: from the living room and the bedroom to the kitchen and bathroom. You don’t have to worry about leveling, filling and finishing of brick wall, however, some beauty treatments can I still have. Let’s deal with everything in order!

Photo: StruXture Photography

Cleaning and preparation of old brickwork

The brickwork, especially if it’s old have to be cleaned from old plaster and dirt. It is enough to spray on the wall the solution of vinegar with water or a solution of a small amount of detergent with water and 30 GM of salt and RUB it with a cloth. If heavily soiled, you can try to scrub them with a stiff brush, but it must be done carefully and somewhere on the edge. Just making sure that the brick begins to crumble, proceed to the Central portions of the wall.

Design By Laura Garner

Tip: caustic chemicals to clean the brick walls should be used most sparingly and only in those cases where otherwise is simply not enough.

If the contamination is strong or it comes to brick fireplace, you can use professional cleaning products, for example: Neomed 550, “Taprom OC”, Anticolic. Remember that they should be diluted with water and applied in rubber gloves, while also taking care of protecting the eyes from corrosive substances.

Design by InDesign / Lori Ludwick

It is likely that the old brick and will require additional sanding. This can be done with grinders, drill with a special nozzle or with a block of wood wrapped in sandpaper.

Bold decor: graffiti on top of the brickwork, the interior CityLoft

In rooms with high humidity, such as bathroom or kitchen, masonry requires especially careful pretreatment in order to prevent the appearance on the surface of mold and mildew.

Reminder: if the mortar between the bricks began to crumble, it certainly should be updated, especially when it comes to wet areas.

The interior is from Todd Arenson Construction

In order to strengthen the mortar joints between the bricks are cleaned up (“;”) from the old mortar to a depth of about 2 cm, the surface is wiped with a damp cloth, then filled with fresh solution, using a narrow spatula so that the surface turned as smooth as possible. The process is time-consuming, however, to do this you will have only one time.

Photo: Corynne Pless

A couple of days, when the grout between the joints has dried, the brick wall can be treated finish.

Treatment of masonry

The texture of the brick in the interior looks good by itself, however, this does not mean that the surface does not need treatment, especially when it comes to the wall in the bathroom or the kitchen apron. This material is porous, and thus, immediately absorbs any splashes of grease, dirt, household chemicals and odors. Of course, your wall will not collapse from a couple of extra spots, however, the aesthetic component will be spoiled.

Brick apron in the kitchen, design Luxe Interior International

Processing of the special transparent structure will keep the surface intact and will protect you from mold. What could it be?

Brick and tile can be quite in harmony within the interior design British Standard by Plain English

To protect stone and brick from moisture, detergents and grease with the help of impregnation. This composition of polymers, siloxane compounds and carbohydrates, penetrating into the pores without clogging them, and polymerizer, and therefore the material continues to breathe. On sale it is easy to find environmental compounds that are completely harmless for use in the kitchen, but will not appear on a brick wall stains from anything.

Brick in the interior of the bathroom, the design of The Ransom Company

Tip: the impregnation of a brick wall is preferable to the usual varnish and wax, as it does not clog the pores of the material and forms a film on its surface, which over time will inevitably begin to fade. The advantages of varnish can be attributed to a significantly lower cost.

The design of Impact Remodeling and Construction

Impregnate belong to the group of water repellents — water-repellent impregnation that are also used to process brick, both inside and outside the house. Water repellents penetrate into the pores of the material and reacts, forming within them a kind of sealant, whereby the inside of the brick can not penetrate water, fat, oil and other undesirable substances. Gidrofobizatora environmentally friendly, protect the surface from mold, mildew and black light, not affecting the appearance of the wall. In addition, the surface treated with such a composition more resistant to mechanical damage and chemical cleaning.

Paint a brick wall in the interior

Brick retains its lively and attractive texture even under a layer of paint. For bedroom or living room many designers gladly give preference to decorative painting in bright colors that look more gentle and sophisticated and allows you to combine all the architectural elements walls: cornices, niches, and ledges. Most often in the interiors, especially Scandinavian designers, you can find a white paint that is great for small areas of premises.

The interior from The Grene Group

Reminder: the porous texture of the brick really absorbs the paint, so don’t hurry if you are not sure whether you want to paint your wall. To remove the paint with caustic solvents, and possibly with the help of professionals.

Photo: Corynne Pless

If you want to get the unobtrusive texture of the brick, paint the wall in several layers of white paint, if you want to add the effect of a shabby, old surface, through which Peeps the original color, dilute white paint with water. You can start with the composition of 3 parts paint to 1 part water and apply it with a brush large free movements. Giving the composition a little to soak into the surface, it can re-apply, independently varying the amount of water and smudges.

White paint with deliberate rubbing, the interior from It

Tip: if the white color you do not like, choose a grey paint for brick walls is a universal backdrop for any furniture and accessories.

White or gray brick wall is perfect for showcasing a collection of paintings or family photos, the design of Mikel Irastorza

Another interesting option of the décor brick walls, so-called, “bog” brick. If the original brick color seems too bright, it is, by analogy with wood, you can cover the stain. The bricks will darken, keeping its texture intact. This way you can create truly amazing effect of ancient masonry even in the new house, although it will take a lot of time. The aging effect looked natural, paint will separate almost every brick with a small brush.

The effect is very old or “bog” brick design by Laura Garner

Brickwork in the interior solution which does not become obsolete and for many years out of fashion. Of course, such a wall will require some restoration measures and treatment, however, they are not comparable in monetary and time-consuming with ordinary straightened, plastered and putty and will not create a unique atmosphere in your home.