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Easy Way to Add Texture & Character to Walls

Adding a brick veneer backsplash is a great way to bring texture and character to any wall. For this project, Kelsey Gibby from @thegibbyhome installed thin brick above a work area, finished it with a German smear technique and topped it off with a soft whitewash.

Coloring supplies organized on floating shelves and cabinet countertop with brick backsplash
Craft supplies organized on floating shelves and cabinet countertop. Textured Brick backsplash
  • White wall with some green FrogTape marked on the wall
    1

    Plan & Prep

    To get started, mark plumb lines to keep the bricks level and note exactly where the floating shelves will go. These marks help guide the layout and help maintain symmetry. Kelsey used FrogTape® Multi-Surface Painter's Tape to tape off the edges, trim and wall areas she wanted to keep clean.

  • Cabinet with brick backspash going up the wall
    2

    Install the Brick Veneer

    Using a caulk gun, apply construction adhesive to the back of each brick veneer and press it onto the wall, working from the bottom up. Leave open spaces where the shelves would later be installed and make cuts using an angle grinder to fit around the shelves and edges. Brick veneer is lightweight and easy to work with, making this part of the process straightforward and fast.

  • 2 floating wooden shelves on a brick portion of a wall
    3

    Install the Floating Shelves

    Once all the brick veneer is in place, install the floating shelves directly into the wall studs. This ensures a secure mount and gives a built-in, custom look.

  • Cabined top and two floating shelves covered in paper and secured with green FrogTape to prevent any paint bleed
    4

    Add German Smear Mortar

    With the shelves in, Kelsey recommends immediately moving on to applying mortar. To apply, pipe the thinset mortar into the grout joints using a piping bag, then use a damp sponge to push the mortar in to create a soft, smeared effect over the surface. This gives the brick that aged, old-world texture.

  • Whitewash being applied to brick with a paint brush
    5

    Whitewash Finish

    The next day, once the mortar is fully dry, vacuum away any loose dust and debris, then apply a 3:1 water-to-paint whitewash mixture. Brush on two light coats, letting the texture of the brick and mortar peek through for a subtle, weathered finish.

  • Craft supplies organized on two floating shelves and a cabinet countertop. There is white washed brick between the shelves
    6

    Peel, Style, Done

    Finally, pull away the FrogTape® to reveal sharp, clean lines around the shelves and trim. Kelsey filled the shelves with art supplies for an easy grab-and-go craft station.

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