Q: We painted our brick fireplace white. But after some use ... erasers first among the methods it uses to remove soot from walls, which are typically painted, just as your fireplace is.

Q: When we bought our 1942 house nine years ago, it came with a brick retaining wall 35 feet long and 4½ ... shiny finishes. The white marks form when heat draws moisture into the finish, which ...

Jessica Nelson Design whitewashed the exposed brick fireplace wall, then added a bright white painted wood mantel to give this space an updated modern farmhouse feel with a sense of history.

If you like the look of the original brick, paint window trim, shutters, and porch columns in neutral shades such as white or black, or personalize your home with a signature front door color.