Brick Veneer and German Schmear
When I ran into a small design snag during demo (a nonstructural post that jutted out from the wall which would have been more work to take out then it was just to leave in) I knew I had two options, drywall it and leave it as a drywalled post or try to do something with it that could hide it. Quite instantly I knew I wanted to add that old world brick charm to the house. The solution, using the post to frame in a faux pillar then using brick veneer to give it the illusion that this gorgeous brick pillar was there all along and just magically uncovered.
Materials:
- Brick Veneer Flats (I used these ones from Koni Materials)
- Brick Veneer Corners (I also used these ones from Koni)
- Tile Adhesive
- Trowel
- Small wood dowels
- Grout
- Water
- Grout bag
- Empty bucket
- Paint Brush
- Grout sponge
You may need the following depending on the project
- Grinder
- Tile blade
- Safety googles
- Hammer
Steps:
Now this might not be the “pro” way by any means but it worked for us and the has held up.
Laying Brick Veneer
1) Starting at the bottom of your project, dry fit the brick veneer for the first few rows. Once you have a dry fit, if needed, trim brick with grinder. To keep that distressed feel grind or hammer off the clean edge.
TIP: if you’re using more than one box grab tiles from different boxes so patterns are allowed to breathe through out the project.
2) Apply enough tile adhesive on your surface for one to two rows using the trowel. Start laying the brick veneers you previously dry fit by adding tile adhesive to the back of the veneer and sticking it onto the project.
3) Once the first row is done add your wooden dowel as a spacer in between the rows.
TIP: Break tradition!
Give it that old world feel! Most brick is laid in a running pattern, where every other vertical spacing in the brick line up neatly. To create that distressed feel follow the running pattern flow but don’t line up the vertical spacing. This gives the brick the character that it has been there for years. Admittedly we did start the project with a traditional running pattern and quickly changed after seeing how modern it was looking. (Traditional spacing in the photo below but if you look at the finished results you can see the shift)
4) Continue to add rows following steps 1-3 until your project is fully covered. Then let sit for 48 hours for the adhesive to fully set. Once the brick veneers are set remove wooden dowels.
5) Mix grout according to directions, using a grout bag grout in between the spaces and let set for the amount of time directed by the manufacturers directions. If you’re choosing to German Schmear over top of the brick veneer don’t worry about the grout looking perfect. The more texture the merrier.
German Schmear Process
6) Using an old bucket (I used an old ice cream pal) mix the grout with water but add in more water than directed. You’re looking for a runny soup like mixture.
7) Using your paint brush dip in the grout mix and paint onto the brick veneer. Use as little or as much as you’d like here, the world is your oyster.
TIP: I found that using a grout sponge helped me get that light whitewashed look I was after. Simply wet the grout sponge and go back over heavy areas or areas you’re looking to give more texture too and wipe away the grout mixture.
8) Have fun! Keep playing with the schmearing process until you get the desired look you’re after.
