When The Brick Industry Association reached out to us, we were thrilled to work together. Can you think of anything more timeless and versatile in a building material, than brick? Not only do we always encourage our clients to use it as an option whenever possible, from rehabbing to fresh takes in a room… but we adore bringing it into our own home, as well. We’re teaming up today with The Brick Industry Association to share about something we’re quite passionate about: favorite brick features in our home!
Brick is timeless, and low maintenance. There are so many endless applications in floors and walls, fireplaces, outdoor use and so much more… we have nothing but love for where we’ve chosen to use it in our home. From beautiful accents to trustworthy structural choices, brick ultimately adds value to our home. Here are a few of our favorite features in our home:
before
1. Our Favorite Brick Features in Our Home: As a Centerpiece – Our fireplace.
If you’ve been following us for a while, then you know that our split level home was a total gut out. We basically purchased this home for the yard and school system, falling in love with all its possibility. But we had a long road ahead of us to bring the house up to its full potential. We have to say that taking on the great room was a wonderful place to start.
before
Unfortunately, the old brick fireplace could not be saved due to long-term water damage to the wood framing, and unstable construction. But we knew we wanted to preserve the essence of it all for an entirely fresh and functional take. Years later, this classic look is oh so gorgeous, we love having it as a classic centerpiece in the room.
This fireplace ended up being a real showstopper, preserving the idea of the original, while also bringing the new one up to date. It had better proportions for the space, with a classic mortar wash to boot. We prefer maintaining the ability to display original art, from family photos to paintings and more. So we were able to have the best of both worlds, by including a hidden recess on the top, to hold a TV, and placing art on top. So it still has the classic look while allowing for both an entertainment and display area.
We couldn’t ask for more in the beautiful versatility this brick brings to our space.
2. Our Favorite Brick Features in Our Home: An Outdoor Accent – Our Patio + Walkway
We were so busy the first few years on the inside of our home, that we were much overdue for something fresh on the outside. We knew that we wanted to expand our pool patio area a few years ago, so we got to work laying it all ourselves. It made room for an instant patio expansion, and we love the ageless feel and look of mortar washed brick, under foot.
This project was in the middle of the pandemic in 2020, and it honestly kept us a little sane to be able to create something on our own. It also served as a catalyst for a huge yard makeover, including expanding a fence on our acre yard, and a cabana which is all perfect for entertaining.
Brick completely transformed our yard, and we love hosting here in the warmer months.
We love our brick patio so much, we’re thrilled to use some Glen-Gery bricks to expand our walkway in the front of the house as well, very soon. Their beautiful pavers will add a timeless accent to the front yard, and we love that they even engraved a few for some timeless easter eggs of our own. How fun for our kiddos and our family to have our own name hidden away on the walkway? We can not wait to put this one together!
Stay tuned for this coming very soon. It’s next on our list! But seriously… who knew brick could be such eye candy.
3. Our Favorite Brick Features in Our Home: For Structure: Our Additions
As I mentioned above, we’ve definitely added to our home over time.
While it’s a classic split level home, we love that it already had brick as a part of its story. Did you know that a lot of the homes in our area were built from brick that was reclaimed from The Great Chicago Fire? We adore something with a history.
So it only made sense to add mostly brick as we continue to grow, with beautiful accents, along the way. {Check out our pool room here.}
before
For the record, it also makes for a great addition when changing the face of something over time. This is one of my very favorite before and afters of our home.
Brick, of course, is perfect for a structural option, which only adds value to our home over time. We’re currently adding it on to our primary suite as part of the plans there, as well, so that it ties in seamlessly.
Stay tuned for all this and more… we have a lot to take on for 2022, but we love working with brick to make it a beautiful and integral part of our home.
What are some of your favorite ways to use brick in your home? We’d love to hear. The possibilities really are delightfully endless.
Have an inspired day!
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