The long awaited brick floor saga is in the books, and I’m in love!!! I will go into more detail of the journey later on IG stories (@vintageporch) but until then I’ll just say when it comes to brick floors and someone else installing them, there are lots of decisions and lots of stress. They turned out just the way that I had hoped they would in the end.
I want to give you some information on this brick that we chose. We got our thin brick from McNear Brick and IT. IS. AMAZING!!!! I can’t say enough good things about this brick. We needed it to be thin because of the concrete floors under and wanting it to match in line with the old saltillo floors that we are keeping. Whether using it on walls, fireplace, floors, etc., it is such a beautiful brick! We chose Sandmold bricks, in Stratford. They have so many to choose from. This is not sponsored, and we paid for our own brick for this project. I just love their bricks and wanted to share if you are looking for thin brick too.
This is our future laundry room. I think I might even start doing laundry now. I love it so much and the paint colors on the walls turned out perfectly too!
Sandmold bricks, including our selected Stratford, capture the look and feel of true historic bricks. They have softened edges and subtle irregularities, meaning no two bricks are identical. Sandmolds are frequently chosen for infill projects in historic neighborhoods. That’s what I love about them the most! They are made to look old. They offer a TON of color choices too!
This stairway here is the “secret stairway” leading to the rat home in the attic….kidding, kind of. I wish it was stairs to something way more fun but at least they are cute stairs.
I decided to have the brick laid in the herringbone pattern in the laundry room and straight in our bedrooms.
The pressing question has been, “isn’t this going to be uncomfortable on your feet?” …the answer is, “yes”. We would have had to wear some kind of supportive slippers in the house anyways with the bumpity saltillo tile so we figured why not put something in that we love for flooring, even if it’s not the most comfortable in the world. We can use rugs and invest in some comfy slippers.
Trav added this wood wall for me just last night and I love it. I had a someone on IG say it looks like 70’s basement paneling but I’m digging it. It warms up the space even more. I had planned on painting it but I think I’m going to leave it as is. I can’t wait to add the washer, dryer, and sink and see how it all comes together!
Can you tell yet that I love the laundry room? This used to be the previous owner’s workout space. We changed their existing small laundry room into a pantry and had this plumed for the laundry. I’m so glad we did! No regrets!
One of the reasons we chose to only do the herringbone pattern in the laundry room is because I thought I might get tired of the busyness of it. But, after seeing it in here, I think I would have loved it in every room. I’m sure the flooring installers aren’t upset that we went with straight in the other rooms. Herringbone pattern is a bit more involved.
It pairs perfectly with our saltillo tiles. And, the thin brick is the perfect width to not have to add strips at the door entrances.
Trav made this little door for our attic. I can’t imagine how the previous owners went years without a door up here to block off the heat from the attic.
I’m so smitten over this wall, paired with the brick, and the chandelier!
This is Brylie’s room, with the loft of her dreams. I do love the straight brick pattern just as much as the herringbone. Both patterns are very timeless! I am happy that I used both patterns in the house. Brylie wanted her ladder painted and I think it goes really well with the trim!
She even picked out her chandelier. We don’t always mesh with our design taste but she did a great job and I love that she’s making it her own! The fake ivy she wants to hang on the wall will not be a fave of mine, ha.
In the laundry room and Brylie’s room, the grout was a tad bit heavier, which I love! The white haze that we had to deal with after the grout, was not fun. There are ways to prevent this, like using a grout bag, but we wanted the grout to be on the brick a little. I never imagined there would be a white haze covering it after. Ahhhh! Here is a photo of the white haze…
We wiped all of our floors with straight vinegar 3x over. Let’s just say, dinners tasted a little like vinegar after working all day, but it was worth it to get the white haze off. Some may like the look of the haze because it was very washed out but I didn’t want a washed look, just a tiny over grouted look.
This is Kaden’s room. Every guy needs a giant fan, right? You can see in his room, they wiped the grout off a little more. I really do love both applications. We used sanded grout in the color “haystack” from Home Depot. It’s beautiful!
I love how some of the grout sits on the bricks and makes them look older than they already look!
The trim, the brick, the paint! It’s all so delicious together! The trim paint is Benjamin Moore color “Sail Cloth” and the wall paint is Benjamin Moore color “White Cloud.” I had the walls painted in matte finish and the trim painted in satin/Pearl.
The floors are so beautiful, I don’t even want to put rugs down because it will hide them. We will use rugs but part of me wants to go without.
Trav and I’s room is still in chaos mode from our bathroom reno so I will show that room to you in the future. What do you think of the brick floors? …besides that they are not as comfy as carpet.
I will add a photo I snapped of Trav and I’s room below when they were laying the brick, before the grout. It’s so pretty!!!!!
And, just a little bit of info about McNear Brick, in case you choose these too. They’ve been in business since the 1860, and originally used sailboats (Sails! Before steam engines!) to ship their bricks to market in San Francisco, and the other gold rush cities and towns around San Francisco Bay. A hundred years ago, they were the leading brick provider in Hawaii! Today they ship our bricks all over the country, and even overseas. Isn’t that so cool?! And, unlike many newer and bigger brick manufacturers, their “craft” brick company still maintains enough hand labor to make bricks like their beautiful Sandmolds. If you have a project that you are working on and you are in need of brick, I highly recommend McNear brick. We have been so pleased with them!
Love them!!!
Thank you Sonya!
I love everything!!!!! You have the best insight into how things will look in your home!!!! The brick is gorgeous!
Thank you so much Tammy! I love how it warmed the house up even more
Love the brick!! Your house is coming along fabulously!
Thank you Maxine! It’s been fun and stressful all at the same time
Oh my goodness – I LOVE your brick floors (and everything about your house and your style)! Stunning! ????
Thank you so much Terri! I’m loving it!
Love everything. The brick is gorgeous! Bravo! Great job!
Thank you Kolleen! I sure do love them
You and your whole family should be very proud of all the work and awesome choices you have made. Love the wood wall that Trav did in the laundry room…..it does NOT look like the old paneling of the 70’s !
Can’t wait to see it all completed with the furniture, rugs, etc in place.
Eeek, I’m so excited to get settled! Trav did such a good job on the wall!
WOW! Just WOW! This turned out absolutely beautiful. I’m loving the process of watching you transform this home.
Thank you Debbie! It’s been quite the journey but oh so fun for me
The floors and the laundry room wall look wonderful. Like how y’all chose a different pattern in the laundry room. Makes it special. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Sandy! I like how it mixes it up too
Love love love!!! Enjoying every step with you!!
Thank you Tammy! Glad you are along for the journey!
Good things are worth the wait! Love the wall and trim colors. The floors are lovely! It all came together beautifully!
Thank you Joanne! I love them so much!
I LOVE everything. Just gorgeous!! Poor Trav and his feet. God bless you all❤️
Thank you Kirsten! He is tired ????
Wonderfully done.
I am so happy for you!
Thank you so much, Teresa!
Love the brick!! Love it all. Can’t wait to see the whole house.
Oh my goodness, you just made me love brick floors. Those are beautiful!! Great job brick layers.Perfect choice Natalie! Your vision has inspired me on a few things in my own home. I so enjoy your work. Congratulations on a day closer to moving in. Amber from Oregon
Beautiful! Love your choices!????
They’re gorgeous!!! Love them!
Beautiful. I feel like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel lol. It’s all coming together and it’s even more beautiful than I imagined. Can’t wait to see it with all your furniture.
I love the brick just told my husband let’s do our additional room we are adding with brick floors.????????????????
I love the brick floor. I can’t wait to see the house put all together. You are amazing and I love following you.
They look amazing. Great choices.
Oh my eyeballs these floors are fabulous. That was a scary and big decision that turned out to be so perfect. Love watching your new home come alive with character.
The brick with your Saltillo tile and the paint colors that you chose are perfect together.
I love the brick floors. Either way, they are very cool! I think you’re on the right track with all your choices so far, so relax and enjoy the process, knowing you are making this home in your vision! You have great taste – don’t doubt it!
What a beautiful vision you had with brick flooring. It’s stunning and fun. I almost don’t blame you for not wanting to put rugs down. I love them.
Well I’m glad somebody is living in my dream home, cuz I’m sure not!
Seriously, those floors are da bomb.com!!! Will you be adding base molding?
And I disagree with the 70s paneling reference; it looks fabuloso. Not only do I wish I had a big laundry room but one like yours would be AMAZING ????. Its really coming together.
I love how everything is looking! The brick is beautiful. Your color choices so perfect. Can’t wait to see the kitchen and baths. I want to see all those old pieces of furniture put to good use in your kitchen, bath vanities, and other places in your home!
The brick looks so beautiful!!!! I love both patterns but really really love the herringbone! Love that you worked out a way to incorporate both though ????????????
It just gorgeous, you’re an inspiration ❤️❤️❤️❤️
WOW! Once again a home run! Love everything- floors, paint and light fixtures. Can’t wait for more!
I love it all! It’s coming together so nicely! I am so happy for you guys and can’t wait to see more of the progress ❤️
So, so gorgeous!! Well done!! I just love them all!! Can’t wait to see the rest!!
Beyond blown away. Everything is perfect. When I move to my new house I’d love your advice. I adore you and your family.wishing you many blessings
This house is going to be so awesome!!
Amazeballs! LOVE your laundry room esp the herringbone pattern brick floor. The whole house is going to be such an amazing transformation. All the time & pain it took to see your vision through will be so worth it!
Hi Natalie, the brick floors in all the rooms look fantastic!!!!
Love the colors that you put on the walls and molding.
I would love your home:)
Enjoy
Absolutely love that brick.you are such an inspiration Natalie
It is so very cool I can’t wait till it all done you inspire us all .
WOW!! Simply beautiful and I adore the wood panels in the laundry room.
Love love love this…. putting it in my kitchen for sure!!!
It’s all looks amazing. Every step you make has been so fun to watch! Very inspiring and motivating me to get off my rear and go back to my giant project ????
I love everything about your home, your ability to transform nothing into something spectacular and your family! The floors are unbelievably awesome. You are one special lady????
I love everything about your home. Looks amazing
Oh my goodness they turned out gorgeous! Love the wood wall, brick floors and the chandelier. Love watching you and your family transform this home. I knew it would be so beautiful! Thank you for sharing this journey with us!
You have fabulous visions!
Great job ????????????????
I love the brick floors and all the information you shared. You are always so helpful. I love your style and all the hard work you and Trav do. Thanks for sharing your life. It is very I inspiring. I just adore you!
I love, love love everything you’ve done so far in the house, it’s so gorgeous, but I had no doubt it would be with your decorating skills! So very happy for you all in your new home.❤️❤️❤️
Love love love the brick! We’re in the process of planning a floor remodel in our forever home. I don’t want everything to be the same, which everything is brown & everything just blends together. I think adding brick to the pantry & laundry room would give me some of the charm I know our home is capable of. Thanks Natalie for sharing with us. Love Michell
I am loving the brick! It’s going to look so cool with all of your furniture and rugs! I bet that companies that you collaborate with will want to come and do a photo shoot at your house! It’s one of a kind! God had this plan for you all along. Things will be much more fun in the days ahead. Decorating that gorgeous home!
It looks absolutely amazing! It will create such unique spaces for your rooms. I used it in my laundry room and screened in porch and it’s working out so well. I’m loving watching all your posts on the house reno. I can’t imagine how absolutely awesome it’s going to be!!!
Natalie! I LOVE everything you did with the brick! I’ve always loved brick – exterior, interior, walls, floors, I love it all. This looks absolutely perfect in your home. I’ve never seen it done on floors in such a large scale and I love it! I’ve been debating on doing our bathroom floors after installing wood (and painting it) throughout and go back and forth with what to do in the bathrooms and this was the push I needed! I am truly so happy for your and your fam with your “new” home. I am excited to follow along with your renovations. God’s plan is always better and more than we can imagine. He wants to bless us and we just need to get out of His way sometimes. ????
Much love and blessings to you all!
Hey Natalie, all the brick looks FABULOUS…but I am a HUGE fan of brick, so it has to be really really bad for me NOT to love. Haha.
One ☝️ question…you say you used Sandmold Series in Stratford (color?)
Did you use the SAME brick ???? in all the rooms?? I am asking because the brick you show in yours and “Poor”Trav’s room, looks a different color from the laundry room and the kids rooms.
I Love EVERYTHING YOU DO… and a little hoarding is necessary sometimes. Haha.
I love it!! If your feet hurt, wear some Skechers ????
I think it is all fabulous! And your wood wall looks nothing like 1970’s panel! It is beautiful and adds just the right amount of warmth! So happy things are coming together for you!
The brick floors are gorgeous!! I have always wanted brick floors. I love the wood on the wall in you laundry room. I love natural wood anywhere and I do not think it looks like 70’s paneling.
The brick floors are gorgeous! We’re getting ready to break ground on a casita for me on my daughter’s property in Queen Creek and seeing your brick floors inspired me to plan for the same in my new space.
Thank you for always sharing your amazing design inspirations!
Everything is looking so beautiful!! Love the brick floors! ????
Ohh…so pretty, cozy, and gorgeous! I’m excited to see the rest of your laundry room, etc…unfold! God bless you! Happy decorating. ????
JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
SO good! I have a patio where we used old pavers from cobblestone streets that had been torn out for a construction project that we installed in a herringbone pattern. I walk on it all the time in bare feet – doesn’t hurt and you’ll be fine!
Your renovations are so fun to watch!
They are beautiful! Can you tell me what color of mortar you used on the brick floors?
I am amazed at all you do! I can’t believe the style change you have made since I have been following you. You were all white which I loved, but I also love what you are doing today. I have done so many pieces now with oven cleaner natural look and also the white wash and antique stain! I don’t buy anything anymore that isn’t thrifted and repurposed! It’s so fun! Thanks for all the inspiration!
Oh my gosh! Now I want brick floors in my house! Everything is turning out just beautifully!