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Sonya Hamilton Designs

How to Paint a Concrete Wall to Look Like Stone

By Sonya

Painting Concrete Blocks to Look Like Stone
This stone wall is actually a concrete block wall painted to look like stone for Trinity Worship Center in Burlington, North Carolina. This space is used as their fellowship hall and needed an update.
 
A few weeks ago, my brother-in-law Keith, who is on staff at TWC, contacted me asking for ideas for this space. The church was wanting a marketplace theme and already had the idea for an awning above the serving window.

While thinking on the marketplace theme, these images came to mind…cobblestones, bricks, awnings, wrought iron…vibrant colors in the form of flowers, vegetables, hanging plants…and plenty of people!

Due to the fact that The Grapevine is a multi-purpose space with tables and chairs being moved on a weekly basis to accommodate various activities, multiple accessories were not a viable option. So to begin creating an atmosphere of a marketplace we began with the best decorating tool out there…paint!  Using paint to turn plain concrete blocks into stone and square support columns into brick.



The color pallet.

l-r Sherwin Williams Keystone Gray 7504, Macadamia 6142,Artisan Tan 7540, Kaffee 6104, Wild Currant 7583 and Sommelier 7595. I don’t know the name of the existing wall color but it is close to SW Hopsack 6109.

The top four colors were chosen as the pallet for the stone. Staying within the shape and pattern of the concrete wall, I began to paint. There’s really not a formula for this look except to remember to keep it random. Continuing to vary the colors and keeping the whole wall in mind as you paint.  

My paint tray was a cardboard box that 24 cans of soda came in.
I covered it with a plastic trash bag and poured in my four colors.
The cardboard box keeps the paints level (unlike a regular paint tray) but it will eventually end up looking like the bag on the right. Kind of like a bowl of vanilla ice cream mixed with chocolate and caramel syrup.

Using a 3″ wide flat paint brush, each block is painted a different mix of the four colors. Brown & gray, tan & cream, gray & cream, tan & brown…etc.

As you paint, your paintbrush will become mottled with different variations of the colors you’re using. This just adds to the variety of the “stone” you’re creating. The “grout” is the existing paint color.

The stone wall measures 10′ high x 47′ wide and took 11 hours to paint.
A possible future addition to this wall would be adding clusters of brick to the stone to give the appearance the stone had been repaired and replaced over time with bricks.
A striped awning is in the works for the space above the serving window. 
So if you live in the Burlington, North Carolina area and are looking for a church home, go by and visit Trinity Worship Center. Wonderful people, wonderful worship.
Other ideas for this paint technique? Any place you find concrete blocks!
See more Details on painting brick columns.
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Comments

  1. Pamela says

    July 25, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    That is amazing Sonya! I love your SW paint samples! Made that project very affordable I am sure!

  2. Jilly says

    July 26, 2011 at 1:53 am

    Your paint samples are awesome and I sure result of your project work likes everyone. Interior is awesome and excellent work.
    Professional Resumes

  3. Teresa@oursoutherncountryhomeandfarm says

    July 26, 2011 at 2:16 am

    Sonya, you are just full of talent! It looks great!

    I am up at 2 am with my dog, and you have me wanting ice cream with chocolate and caramel syrup now! This is not good!!!!!!

  4. Darla says

    July 26, 2011 at 7:39 am

    Looks great. I actually painted the block walls in our church nursery pink and blue!

  5. Stacy says

    July 26, 2011 at 7:44 am

    It really looks beautiful and the people love it. Keith has heard so many wonderful compliments! I can’t wait until the window treatments and awning are in place. 🙂

  6. Bev says

    July 26, 2011 at 8:17 am

    That is an amazing transformation Sonya! I love it. I got your email but just got to Dallas.

  7. Beth McAlexander says

    July 26, 2011 at 9:30 am

    It looks great! Makes me tired looking at it…..especially the brick. They must have taken forever!

  8. Traci says

    July 26, 2011 at 9:41 am

    Sonya, you’re soooo talented! It looks great!!

  9. At The Picket Fence says

    July 26, 2011 at 10:37 am

    That looks incredible Sonya! What a great idea and it totally transforms those walls. Can’t wait to see the rest of what you do to the space! 🙂
    Vanessa

  10. Regina from The Queenly Abode says

    July 26, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    Hi Sonya, that looks beautiful! We are planning on finishing our basement….I think that maybe painting the blocks would would great!
    have a wonderful day,
    Regina

  11. Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas says

    July 26, 2011 at 1:34 pm

    Well, it looks awesome Sonya! I just love it! And the idea to add the bricks in is just genius!!

    Lou Cinda:)

  12. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    July 26, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    You are certainly a master at what you do! The wall and pillars look great, girl! You are turning this ho-hum space into something interesting and wonderful ;). Hugs, Kim

  13. Traci says

    July 26, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    Your faux stone looks fabulous. I can’t wait to see what else you add.
    Traci

  14. Lori says

    July 26, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    Truly an amazing project. You are so talented, lucky church. Can’t wait to see the awning, will be too perfect.

  15. Life with Kaishon says

    July 26, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    You did an absolutely amazing job. I love it. Very, very pretty!

  16. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜@ Debbiedoos blogging and blabbing says

    July 26, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    That is awesome Sonya…what a WOW factor.

  17. Etcetorize says

    July 27, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    Wow, that looks amazing! So great that your whole community will be able to enjoy it~

  18. The Accent Piece says

    July 28, 2011 at 8:30 am

    This is amazing! so clever 🙂
    I’m your newest follower – thanks for the inspiration!

  19. Crystal @ Ordinary Days says

    July 28, 2011 at 9:53 am

    That is gorgeous! They asked the right person to help! What did you use to do the support beams? Everything looks amazing.

  20. Jenna says

    July 29, 2011 at 11:01 am

    That looks amazing! So easy and creative.

    2027

  21. Kathy@ Gone North says

    July 29, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    WOW!! Just plain fabulous!!
    I am sure that the folks at that Church love it… I am considering painting a whole wall fireplace… You inspire..
    Thanks for sharing

  22. Tami says

    July 31, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Very nice. It really transformed the space and made it less industrial!
    Feel free to check out my site.
    Fondly, Tami
    http://www.thisandthatfromtami.blogspot.com

  23. Funky Junk Interiors says

    July 31, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    Nicely done! I did something similar to my son’s bedroom walls, but dipped the perfect sized sponge in the mottled paint and stamped it on. Lots of work but still a neat turn out. I know, I KNOW how much work this was! 🙂

    Donna

  24. Erin @ Lavender and Lemon Drops says

    August 1, 2011 at 12:32 am

    WOW that made such an amazing difference! Great job! That’s A LOT of hard work right there 🙂 Found your site on Shabby Nest link party. I’m a new follower 🙂

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