Creating a Faux Brick Wall with Joint Compound

 



It always feels good when a particular home improvement project is complete. After finishing the kitchen cabinet painting project, I doubt anything I do from here on will have the same impact on my satisfaction scale. However, the faux brick wall comes pretty close.




This close up of the wall shows how authentic the brick looks.



Here's how I achieved this faux brick wall.

Applied one coat of sealer/primer to the VOG (Vinyl-Over-Gympsum) wall.




Created a template with 3/4" masking tape.





Spread a thin coat of joint compound over the entire template, making sure to leave tabs of the masking tape revealed. This gives something to pull, and then peel off the masking tape. 




Here's what that looks like.





Now the faux brick wall is ready for painting. 




While they were still wet, I painted each individual brick with Folk Art acrylic paints in various colors. Also, after the painted bricks were dry, I went back in with an old table knife and added joint compound between the bricks to give the look of mortar. This is something I haven't seen anyone else do. I'm thinking about painting the "mortar" in a color that gives it more of an aged appearance. Maybe ivory, or pale gray. What do you think?




At the end of this post I've added some Youtube videos that show the process in detail, in case you're interested in learning more about creating a faux brick wall with joint compound.

By the way, the entire cost of this project, including the decorative paints, was about $20.  A definite statement in my kitchen for very little money. And, honestly, this was a pretty easy and fun project.




Hugs,





Youtube faux brick wall videos:






21 comments

  1. You did such a beautiful job on this wall. And for $20.00?! That's amazing. Thank you for showing us the process as I really had no idea. Home projects are not my creative place at all. :-)
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Betsy, I am not by nature a "handy" person. My abilities have developed out of necessity. If I want anything done in my home, I have to do it myself, or pay someone to do it. The cost of home services is outrageous, and so I've learned to do these things to save money. God is always here to help me, and I sincerely mean that. Before I ever attempt a task I've never tried before, I pray. And I pray if I get stumped along the way. He always gives me the answer, although sometimes I may have to learn some patience in the process. LOL Hugs,

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  2. Wow Nancy this is awesome. You did all of this for $20! Love love this. Happy Sunday. Have a great new week. xoxo Kris

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    1. Thank you, Kris. I was pretty surprised at how inexpensive this was to do. Hope you're having a nice weekend. Hugs.

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  3. The brick wall finished looks absolutely like real brick hand laid. You did
    such a wonderful job on it and I can see why it took a while to finish it all.
    I hope you are not in line for a horrible April snow event. If so, stay safe.
    Lynn

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    1. Thank you for the kind words, Lynn. No snow in the forecast for the next 10 days. Of course, in No. Colorado we can still get a snow storm as late as May, so you never know. :)

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  4. Wow Nancy.. that looks beautiful! What a neat idea and it does look so real... even though I know it's "faux", it still looks so real. I had to go back to an older post and look at the wall before you did anything to it. I'm amazed to say the least! I'm on the wall as far as aging the grout.. I like the bright white as it goes so well with the white cabinets.. if you did.. maybe just a tinge of gray in it? I wish I could be as "handy" as you! Hugs.. Marilyn

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    1. Marilyn, thank you. I admire your talent with paper. Your cards are amazing, and I truly don't have the vision you do for cards and such. I love the way God gifts us all differently. I'll probably live with the grout just as it is for awhile to see if I still feel it needs a change. You make a good point with the white cabinets. Hugs.

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  5. That is really stunning! Your white appliances and countertop looks wonderful against it. I'm sure I would like whatever grout color you decide on but honestly it looks perfect to me the way it is.

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    1. Thank you, Dewena. It always helps to have another perspective. Sometimes I have trouble knowing when to stop. LOL xx

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  6. WOW!!! This looks GREAT!!!! Really looks like real bricks. Good job!!!! Very creative!!! Big impact low price!!!!...my kind of improvement.

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    1. Thank you very much, Addie. I'm glad you like it. :) xx

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  7. Love this clever way to "make bricks". Give both colors a try to see which one you like. You can always paint over the one you don't like. Keep sharing your budget tips and tricks. You never know who'll love and try them♥

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    1. Thanks, Susan. Good idea on testing both colors. xx

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  8. Nancy, this is truly outstanding. You are so talented. I'm am actually blown away by your creativity. Wow. I need to show this to my DIY hubby immediately. Happy Easter my friend. Hugs to you.

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    1. I'm so glad you like the faux brick wall, Kim. It really is very easy to achieve. The most time consuming part is measuring out the grid. The rest goes pretty fast. I'm sure your hubby would do an even better job than I have. Hugs and Happy Easter.

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  9. You are a genius. I love this.

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    1. LOL. I don't think I'm a genius. I just followed someone else's project. Whoever came up with this idea is the real genius. :) I appreciate your confidence in me, though, Barbara.

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  10. Amazing job Nancy! Looks so realistic. Good work!! Happy Easter, too! xox

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    1. Thanks so much, Anne. It was a fun project. Happy Easter! xo

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  11. I am so impressed, I've seen brick painted on walls, but your process adds the texture that is needed to give it the look of real brick. I am going to remember this post and probably come back to in one day . . . because it's pure genius and budget friendly. That's important when you live on a fixed income in a world of inflated prices.
    Thanks so much for taking the time to photograph your process. I know that takes a lot of time . . . you're a sweetheart.

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