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My Vintage Porch

Interior Design, DIY, and Refurbishing

DIY Faux Brick Wall

Filed Under: Crafts & Projects, DIY, Home Improvements, Home Tour, Kids Play Area, Painting Tagged With: anthropologie, antique, better homes and gardens, brick wall, chalk paint, cottage, cottage style, country living, country living magazine, crate and barrel, diy, diy home, farmhouse, farmhouse style, faux brick, faux brick wall, home, home decor, home decorating, home renovation, living room, living room decor, milk paint, neutral decor, paint, painting, pottery barn, renovations, restoration hardware, tutorial, vintage, white decor

I’m so excited for this blog post and to show you how I made two faux brick walls in my home for $30. Thank you so much for your patience in waiting for this post. Let’s just say, my computer has not been super cooperative which is why this post will have no videos. This was a long process and took me a full week of working about 6-8 hours a day. It was worth it to me for the budget friendly end result. I will also add some affiliate links and a full source list of this space at then end of the post.

 

This is the bare wall that I started with. My walls were a little textured which did not make a difference since I was going to change the whole appearance anyways. This photo here is actually a seating area below my window which I bricked on the wall part of it.

 

 

I used joint compound that I picked up from my local hardware store. It was a 4.5 gallon bucket which covered both of my large walls with a little left over. Each bucket cost $15 which made this a super budget friendly project. Sometimes when things are on the “cheaper” side it just means that there is more sweat involved. Well, this was one of those projects.

 

 

Yes, I know I have my wedding ring on and no I didn’t mean to, lol. I had my hubs come and dig it off through all of the joint compound after this photo. I would not advise wearing rings, it was just all part of my last minute, fly by the seat of my pants project. I literally smeared the joint compound onto the wall with my hand. I would work in sections, so that the joint compound would not dry too quickly. Some of my sections were quite large so that I could make sure that the bricks were alligned properly in those areas during the brick drawing process.

 

 

I then used a trowel to spread the joint compound evenly. I would say my joint compound was about 1/4-1/2″ thick on the wall. It’s ok if it’s not completely smooth because bricks are not completely smooth. The texture makes it look more realistic.

 

 

 

 

 

When I had the joint compound evened out, I used my level to draw the lines with my fingers. I would measure how long and wide I wanted them with my level and then would slide my finger across the wall to make the “grout” lines. The level helps make sure that all of the brick lines are even and level in each row. You can see here on the right side that I had that part of the wall finished and am now working on the bottom part of my “bench seat”.

 

 

After I had all of the horizontal lines finished, I started on the vertical lines. This is where more precise measuring of the bricks were needed. I wasn’t all that precise because I didn’t mind if some were a little larger or smaller than others. I thought that it would look more realistic if not every brick was exactly the same so some of them were maybe a 1/2″ different than others in some areas. Making sure that you start your rows with the bricks staggered is also important for the realistic look.

 

 

 

This is my intricate process of measuring the size of my bricks. I would just hold the measuring side of the level up and make a mark for where my line would be. Professional, huh? Well, it worked so great and I didn’t have to use tape. I have seen some that use tape for these types of faux walls and I hate taping walls. This turned me off to the idea of ever doing my own until I realized I could just use my finger. I’m sure taped lines might come our more perfect but I’m loving the results of my wall.

 

When I finished with the joint compound, it was an off white color. I let it dry overnight. When it’s completely dry it turns white. I loved the white color of the “bricks” but wanted it to look aged so I decided to do a painting technique and distress them. Since I can’t get my video portion of my computer to work, I will just share the photos of my technique. I just used paint samples that I had in my closet for the painting technique and I love the final look and how well all of the colors went together. I started off by painting all of the grout lines with Toasty Grey Behr Paint in flat finish. I used a 1″ purdy brush for painting the grout and the bricks.

 

 

When I was done painting all of the grout lines, I started brushing the colors in various places in the brick, overlapping some. I didn’t even rinse out my paint brush between colors (as you can probably tell). After brushing the colors here and there, the bricks look a little shabby but don’t worry because when you distress them they will look amazing. Here are the 5 colors that I used on the bricks. I would advise using flat finish as I noticed that the flat finish distresses the easiest.

 

Colors: 

 

  1. “Toasty Grey” Behr Paint: I used this for the grout and to brush on the brick.
  2. “Cliffside” Valspar Paint: I used this color more sparingly as it is a darker color
  3. “Campfire Ash” Behr Paint
  4. “Birchwood” Dunn Edwards Paint mixed with 2-3 Parts White paint that I had on hand to make for lighter color
  5. “Vintage Frame” Valspar Paint: I used this color sparingly as it is a darker color

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I had the five colors brushed on different areas of the bricks, I used the two darker colors to add little lines throughout some of the bricks for a more aged appearance. I would use also use the lighter colors for lines in some areas.

 

 

After all of my bricks were painted, I used 60 grit and 100 grit sand paper to get the distressed look that I wanted. If I felt like I needed more paint, I would just go add a little more and distress in the areas that I needed to. This also gave the bricks more of a smooth feel. I would highly advise wearing a mask while you are sanding. There is a lot of dust. And boy were my fingers sore after all of that sanding.

 

 

 

 

I am so happy with the final result of the wall. It truly looks like real aged brick. I’ve had so many compliments and questions about the process, so I hope that this helps answer some of those questions so that you can complete you own budget friendly brick wall. I have also had people ask me how I will get rid of this wall if I don’t want it some day. I guess the best answer is, I won’t, but the next home owner is more than welcome to try. Some day I will have some curtains in here but until then, I’m enjoying all of the light beaming through. If you are wondering, it is very possible to hang things on the brick wall. The “grout” areas really have little to no joint compound on them, making them easy to add a nail into for hanging pictures or decor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently painted this abstract art from a piece of plywood that I had from a package that I received in the mail and I love it! I think it adds a great artistic touch to this space.

 

I love using thrifted and vintage finds for decor. I feel like it gives originality to a space.

 

 


 

 

 

Thank you all for stopping by! I love all of your brick wall spaces that you have completed from my tutorial on Instagram and that you have shared them with me!!! It’s a passion of mine to help others complete budget friendly DIY projects. I’m so excited to see all of your spaces in the future! I would love hear all of your opinions of my faux brick wall. Have a wonderful day!

 

Source List: 

Trunk: Craigslist

White Sofa and Chairs: Ikea

Jute Rug: eSaleRugs

Colorful Rug: Boutique Rugs 

White Frame: Thrifted

Wood Frame: DIY

Artwork: DIY

Crock: Yard Sale Site

Chippy Side Table: Thrifted and painted with Old Barn Milk Paint

Side Trunks: Thrifted

Pillows: Ikea and similar sofa Here 

Antler: Thrifted

White Blanket: Home Goods but similar blanket Here

Office Space: Sourced Here 

Lamp: Thrifted but similar shade here 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leigh Ann Hofferth says

    June 3, 2017 at 11:36 pm

    This has got to be the most beautiful diy wall I have ever seen! Fabulous! Thanks for sharing!

    • My Vintage Porch says

      June 3, 2017 at 11:37 pm

      Thank you so much Leigh Ann! ?

  2. Marilou Leclaire says

    June 4, 2017 at 7:21 am

    Just amazed at how nice this looks, what a great idea. You did an amazing job and your DIY info will give me something to think about if I ever find a situation where I can do this!

    • My Vintage Porch says

      June 4, 2017 at 9:40 pm

      Thank you so much, Marilou!

  3. Shelly says

    June 4, 2017 at 11:58 am

    LOVE IT!!! I would love to do this to my farmhouse, but I am too lazy! Lol.
    My husband doesn’t have the patience for it! I will keep this is my “would like to do” file!
    Blessings

    • My Vintage Porch says

      June 4, 2017 at 9:41 pm

      Lol, Thank you so much, Shelly!

  4. Sherry says

    June 4, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    I loved seeing the process on Instagram and I enjoyed reading about it here! It’s so beautiful! Your hard work was worth it!
    Sherry

    • My Vintage Porch says

      June 4, 2017 at 9:42 pm

      Thank you so much, Sherry!

  5. Ally says

    June 4, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    This is so pretty! Do you have a blog about the concrete wall on the other side? Thank you so much for sharing!!

    • My Vintage Porch says

      June 4, 2017 at 9:39 pm

      Thank you so much Ally! Yes it’s on my blog under diy ?

  6. Debbie says

    June 5, 2017 at 5:44 am

    Love, love, love!!!!!

    • My Vintage Porch says

      June 5, 2017 at 9:50 am

      Thank you so much, Debbie! ?

  7. aida says

    June 9, 2017 at 11:17 am

    This is such a straightforward DIY! I will be telling my favourite DIY’ing friends 🙂
    I’m hoping to use this technique to bring my Christmas Craft Soap Booth to the next level…. Wish me luck!

    P.S. thank you <3

    • My Vintage Porch says

      June 9, 2017 at 10:32 pm

      Awesome! Thank you so much Aida!

  8. Sandra says

    September 12, 2017 at 8:29 pm

    You are so clever and talented! Your faux wall is a piece of art! I love it!

    • My Vintage Porch says

      September 12, 2017 at 8:57 pm

      Thank you so much Sandra!

  9. Kathy says

    September 29, 2017 at 9:17 pm

    I can’t believe you did this with a trowel and your finger. It’s amazing. It honestly looks like a brick wall. Do you think a coat of polyurethane could be put over it as protection, if this technique was used for a backsplash in a kitchen? I so want to do this in the space between my counters and upper cabinets.

    • My Vintage Porch says

      October 1, 2017 at 10:50 pm

      Thank you so much! Kathy! You could try water based poly.

    • Bonnie says

      January 23, 2018 at 3:57 pm

      I would like to know if you did the faux brick as a back splash? If so, how did it turn out?

  10. Victoria says

    October 18, 2017 at 2:14 pm

    Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you made all those grout lines with your finger!!! I did a faux brick wall but I taped it all off first, there’s no way mine would’ve come out as straight with my finger!!! Going to check out your diy concrete wall, that might be next on my list!

    • My Vintage Porch says

      October 18, 2017 at 7:47 pm

      I love it that you made one too! They add so much character, right? ?

  11. Bridget Caulkins says

    January 3, 2018 at 5:18 pm

    Thinking about trying this. I absolutely love yours!!

    • My Vintage Porch says

      January 5, 2018 at 8:12 am

      Thank you so much Bridget!

  12. Janine says

    January 31, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    Natalie,

    What a big project and I especially love how it turned out! Your house is gorgeous! Thanks so much for joining our Friday Friends Parade Linky Party!

    • My Vintage Porch says

      January 31, 2018 at 2:50 pm

      Thank you Janine!! It was so fun to join in! ????????❤️

  13. Julie Briones says

    February 14, 2018 at 4:08 pm

    This is jaw-dropping! Seriously.

    • My Vintage Porch says

      February 17, 2018 at 10:27 pm

      Thank you so much Julie!

  14. Vina says

    March 2, 2018 at 4:41 am

    Hello dear, I really like this diy brick wall, I was looking for some ideas to do a brick backsplash in my kitchen, and found your blog! I just have a question do you think this join compound will adhere to a Gloss finish painted wall or should I sand it first? ????‍????

    • My Vintage Porch says

      March 6, 2018 at 9:53 pm

      Hi Vina! I’m not sure, my walls had semigloss on them if that helps

Trackbacks

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I found this old coffee grinder in an online aucti I found this old coffee grinder in an online auction, and I didn’t pay only $2 for it. I’m pretty sure it was one of those things where I was like, “Trav, this is going to be my birthday present” …it was months before my birthday so he forgets and still gets me something…of course I didn’t do that on purpose. 😁 I don’t buy pricey things like this often but it was something that I had been wanting for a while and they can go for $400-$500 online 🤪Lots of you ask if we use it, the answer is, I want to, but I just keep forgetting bc Trav is the one that drinks coffee and I don’t want to remind him that we have it or I might not get a birthday present this year.🤔And, I honestly don’t remember how much I paid for it but it was in the $200s …but it seems I really got it for Trav bc I don’t drink coffee🤔, but don’t tell Trav. #antiquecoffeegrinder #coffeegrinder #kitchendecor #kitchenremodel
The mantle is up! Trav made this mantle out of a b The mantle is up! Trav made this mantle out of a bed side rail 🤩 Trav once said we have too much stuff in the garage…but I found our mantle in the stuff 🤔…if we didn’t have stuff, we wouldn’t have this mantle😁 #mantle #mantledecor #brickfireplace #woodceiling #antiquepainting
Just some photos I’ve taken recently, that’s a Just some photos I’ve taken recently, that’s all, oh, and I wiped off the oven tops today (I’m saving the insides for Trav…we all know how he would appreciate some extra savings from me) 😁 I hope you all had an great day!!!! 😘 #brick #brickhouse #home #homecooking
I thought I would paint the swan …but, nope, not I thought I would paint the swan …but, nope, not after seeing it in here 🤩Oh, and the lights are back in stock and listed in my profile. 🏃‍♀️ (they are pendants but we pulled the cord through to make them flush, I love them!!) #swan #laundry #laundryroom #vanity #farmhousesink
Thanks for reminding me that I have stuff in the g Thanks for reminding me that I have stuff in the garage 😁 We covered our TV with art stuff from the garage and metal pipes and, it worked 🙌🏼😁 (see stories) I can still see the tv from the side but when we get the new wall bracket for it, that should help bc we can push it back more. It’s a good temp fix to have some cool art instead of a black box! Oh, and who remembers when I stripped this dresser? #tvart #brickfloor #oldpainting
Views from this half of the kitchen…I finally wi Views from this half of the kitchen…I finally wiped the dust off the floor from under that middle island…only took me a few months x 2😁 #kitchenremodel #kitchendesign #brick #woodwork #saltillo
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