Hi! So I'm not much help with paint color, but wanted to share two things that we did which you might consider: first, we got a high-heat black spraypaint (Rustoleum from Home Depot) and painted the fireplace face plate (the brass part) black, which instantly updated our fireplaces for about $10; second, I did not care for our red brick fireplace, and hand-painted it to look like a different color of brick. Without priming, I hand painted each brick Benjamin Moore Eagle Rock, then sponged on a lighter grey (Willow Creek) and a darker grey (Ironhorse, I think). Later, I decided it needed some brown, so I sponged on a bit of watered down brown paint (can't remember the color). I took care not to get paint on the mortar. The whole project took about a day. It came out great and I get tons of complements. If you are at all hesitant about getting the "painted brick" look when you do it all in one color, I would consider tying this method first. 99% of people would not know that the brick had been painted. If you don't like the way it turns out, you can always go back to your original plan!

Hi Ni, I just thought of something....did you say you planned to do the stencil motifs on the window wall? If so, I am thinking they will be mostly hidden by the curtains. I wonder if it might be better to stencil the long wall that is on the right side of the room when looking toward the window. I could see this being a pretty backdrop to the prayer box (I think that’s what you called it?) and your wood cuttings. Then maybe the opposite wall (the one with the kitchen doorway) could hold a large piece of art?

It takes an artist and client to work together, right from concept to completion to bring an idea into a beautiful reality. It could be anything from a picture of your kid, dog, your dead grandmother, yourself, a character in your favorite movie or you role playing a character, it really doesn't matter. With the help of an artist’s skill and talent, you can fulfill your vision. Although, the process would remain same whether you are commissioning for a small, large, public or private art, commissioning a painting is not like going to a store to buy one. There are certain steps that you need to follow when commissioning a painting. Let’s take a look at them: 1. Research There are a lot of places available online where you can commission a painting. You can narrow down your search on the basis of the variety of artists and different styles. Go to their websites and take a look at their work. Consider a company or an artist only if they do the kind of painting you are interested in and like their results. After shortlisting the companies, you need to check out if they do commissions, standard pricing and FAQs. 2. Choose an artist The key to owning a piece that you, your family, your friends or your organization enjoys for a long time is finding the right artist to create your painting. The best artist would be the one who has the experience in creating a painting in a particular style that you want along with reflecting what exactly you are looking for in a painting. There are companies that have a list of artists that have their expertize in specific type and style, so be sure of the artist you are choosing. 3. Provide your information For best results, it is essential that you convey your expectations to an artist. For this you need to decide on some important aspects of a painting. Do you want certain colors or shades to be included in a painting? What would be the size of your painting? What is your deadline and the budget? Be honest about your budget with yourself and your artist and let your artist know if it it is tight. Also, give your artist the photograph, in case the painting is a portrait of an object. 4. Communication Usually, the client and artist fails in communication but it is essential that you keep in touch during the course of the project. You need to regularly check for progress, ask questions and approve for details. Set a schedule ahead of time for the updates and stick to it. 5. Payment part The artist will provide you a quote for the final painting. It would be basically an in depth explanation of the payment. You may also be scheduled for several sittings to help create the best result possible. Get Your Painting Once the painting is completed, you will be paying the final payment and will receive your finished artwork.

It’s great you're focusing on recycling! If the dado tiles are in good condition and neutral, you can leave them, but check grout and overall security. When replacing bathroom floor tiles, ensure the waterproofing layer remains intact, as redoing it can prevent water damage. For plywood, if the quality is good, you can reuse it, but ensure a skilled carpenter finishes it properly. The kitchen countertop can be reused if carefully removed and in good shape. Just make sure all structural and waterproofing aspects are intact.