Commercial Painting · Jan 2022
Commercial space: exposed brick to whitewash
Commercial space: exposed brick to whitewash. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken Jan 2022. This commercial painting project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Exposed Red Brick Whitewashed in a Commercial Dining and Event Space
This commercial interior had long runs of exposed red brick, photographed in Jan 2022. In the before photos, the brick looked patchy, with smears of old mortar, white paint drips and uneven color from years of wear. The room already had navy columns with gold caps, white panels below the brick, dark baseboards, a dark gray ceiling, track lights, woven rattan pendants and gold-framed mirrors. In-progress photos show a rolling scaffold, a crew member taping a column, drop cloths on the wood floor, and one wall partway through treatment with the mortar joints darkened across part of the surface. In the after photos, the brick is whitewashed to a soft white and pale gray. The texture and some darker brick still show through, so the wall looks aged rather than flat. Against the white brick, the navy columns, gold accents and rehung mirrors stand out more, and the warm wood floors look richer.
How We Whitewashed the Brick in This Commercial Space
- We covered the bar top, counters and wood floors with drop cloths and masked the navy columns, gold caps, white panels and ceiling edge before starting.
- Mirrors, wall decor and loose items came down so every brick face and mortar joint could be reached with brushes and rollers.
- The brick was cleaned of dust and loose debris, and loose mortar was knocked off so the wash would soak in evenly instead of sitting on dirt.
- A rolling scaffold let us work the upper brick near the dark ceiling safely, moving it section by section along each long wall.
- We applied the whitewash in thin layers, brushing it into the mortar joints and working it back on the brick faces to keep some natural color showing.
- After the wash dried, we stepped back to check the walls for consistency and added light passes where any area looked darker than the rest.
- Masking came off, the mirrors were rehung, and we cleaned up so the space was ready for the rest of the opening work.
Paint Colors Similar to This Whitewashed Brick and Navy Trim
These are similar colors to consider for brick, columns and ceilings in a space like this, not the exact products used on this commercial job.
Sherwin-Williams Snowbound SW 7004
A soft white with a touch of gray, close to how the whitewashed brick reads under warm pendant light in this room.
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy HC-154
A deep classic navy similar to the painted columns. It looks sharp next to white brick and gold trim accents.
Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn SW 7674
A dark charcoal like the ceiling here. It hides ductwork and fans and lets the white brick walls take center stage.
Questions About Whitewashing Brick in a Commercial Space
Is whitewash better than paint for interior commercial brick?
It depends on the look. Whitewash lets the brick texture and some original color show, which suits restaurants, shops and event spaces with an industrial feel. Solid paint gives a uniform color and is easier to wipe down. Whitewash also tends to wear gracefully, while thick paint can chip on corners.
Can brick be whitewashed while a business is getting ready to open?
Yes, with planning. Painters can work around other trades by protecting finished counters and floors and moving section by section. Water-based washes have low odor compared to many coatings. It still helps to schedule the brick before final cleaning and before furniture and decor move in.
How do painters keep a whitewash looking even on long walls?
Consistency comes from mixing enough wash for the whole wall, working in manageable sections and keeping a wet edge. Painters often test the ratio on a hidden spot first. Stepping back often to view the wall from across the room helps catch darker or lighter patches before the wash dries.
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