By Wes Seiple, Architectural Sales Representative, Potomac Valley Brick
What comes to mind when you think of masonry? For most people, they envision the exterior of a home or building. A red brick colonial, a stone clad church, a colorful brick school building or an outdoor walkway. However, masonry isn’t just for the exterior of a home. Interior masonry can give a house a rustic, historic feel while also embracing modern design characteristics. Here are a few ways to use masonry inside:
Backsplashes
Thin brick backsplashes are a great way to build visual interest in a kitchen. Available in a wide variety of colors, homeowners can create several different looks using thin brick. While the more traditional choice of backsplash is often tile, masonry can help a kitchen stand out more dramatically. Another, lesser-known option for backsplashes is thin stone. This material can also be used to create a beautiful backsplash that’s equally resistant against common kitchen stains and relatively maintenance-free.
While many people tend to use ceramics and tile as their choice of backsplash, there is no doubt that masonry stands out more, conveying a sense of timelessness and beauty in the kitchen. Using traditional red brick can give a kitchen a warm, inviting country feel while other homeowners may prefer something more modern, coupling dark (or even black) brick backsplashes with copper accents and white cabinetry.
Walls
Exposed brick walls make a big statement and continue to be a popular feature for many homes. Interior brick walls can be left raw or even painted, depending on if you desire a farmhouse rustic style, a cool beachy Mediterranean look, or a more industrial vibe. Exposed brick walls can be used to create an accent wall in a living room or study or even used in a bedroom to create a loft-like, warehouse feel.
Depending on the age of your home, you may be lucky enough to discover beautiful brick behind the drywall in your selected room. However, it’s a gamble and even if brick exists behind the drywall, there’s no real way to tell what shape it’s in until the drywall has already been removed. From those homeowners who aren’t blessed with real brick walls, thin brick veneer can give you the same wide variety of looks without the mess and hassle.
Fireplaces and mantles
If a full wall is too big of a commitment for you, adding a brick or stone fireplace or mantle to your home can give you the same country look or industrial feel on a smaller level. Brick and stone fireplaces and mantles are timeless, not to mention they’re also durable. Homeowners can use lighter, more neutral colors to create a minimalist, simple look or classic red and darker tones for a more farmhouse, rustic chic.
Flooring
Flooring is another way to bring masonry into your home. Brick pavers are very popular for transitional spaces such as foyers, sunrooms, laundry rooms and mudrooms. Homeowners can even use the same material as a kitchen backsplash to create symmetry and tie the certain rooms together. Using different patterns, such as the classic herringbone, can create an enduring look that’s also extremely functional. Even when wet, brick floors have a rough and gritty texture that is virtually slip-proof when compared to laminate, vinyl and other non-textured floor options. This is an important feature to consider especially in high-traffic areas such as foyers, mudrooms and the like. Brick flooring is extremely durable, fade-proof and fireproof, making it a great choice for certain areas of your home.
From black to whitewashed to classic red, using interior masonry can add an element of charm to your home that other products often lack. Brick and stone accents truly create a functional focal point that helps a room stand out and produces a look that is totally timeless.
