What is the German Smear? 

A distinctive finish on exposed bricks that uses white mortar to create a distressed effect, German smear is all the rage in wall finishes among today’s designers. Very popular in high-end new constructions and interiors, German smear is considered ‘shabby chic’ and goes well with industrial styled décor. German smear looks equally good on your building façade, or as an accent wall in the interior of your living room, kitchen or bedroom.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective upgrade to an existing exposed brick wall, without having to redo or compromise the structural integrity of the construction, then you should definitely take a look at this stylish finish.

How to get the German Smear Look?

So, how is this finish achieved? This popular distressed look can be achieved with a mixture of mortar and Portland cement smeared on an exposed brick wall in an irregular manner, leaving some of it exposed. As it is a very rough textured finish, expect some parts of the mortar to be thicker than others. This actually adds to the charm of the effect. No painting or whitewashing is required to finish this effect.

German Smear Tips and Tricks

While your painter or contractor should know how to get this unique finish, there are many homeowners who even opt to take on an accent wall as a DIY project. Here is what you need to know, to achieve this gorgeous look:

1. Mortar will not adhere to a surface that has already been painted, so you should try to do this only on a raw brick wall.
2. You can purchase a premixed mortar in either a greyish or white finish to achieve the look you want. Mix the mortar with water till it is the consistency of cake batter or peanut butter.
3. Wet the surface of the brick with water. Use a finishing trowel to apply the mortar on a section of the wall, and remove part of it with a wet sponge and a brush before it has dried.
4. Remember, once it has dried, there is nothing you can do, so you need to work while the mortar is still wet. So you should do this only a little at a time and work as quickly as you can.

You can choose to cover most of the brick or leave most of it exposed to get the look you want. There really are no rules, and it completely depends on the final effect that you desire.

German Smear Trending Designs

• An accent wall in this contemporary studio bedsit uses German smear on the brick, a finish that stands out against the smooth white and smoky grey walls alongside. The décor theme is modern rustic; and the colour palette uses stark white, black and brown shades.

• This empty room has the potential to be transformed into a cosy studio loft, and the poured concrete floor and distressed walls speak strongly of a bygone industrial era. The barrel-vaulted high ceiling piles on the old-world charm.

• Who wouldn’t love this lovely high-ceilinged bedroom with its black metal and exposed brick finishes? The mortar finish on the walls is neatly pointed in style reminiscent of old British railway stations. Note the bed that is made up of recycled wooden boxes.

• This modern loft room takes on a sense of history and old-world charm because of the distressed finish on the brick walls on either side. The tall metal-framed windows let in plenty of natural light while adding to the rustic look.

• Completely done up in an industrial style, this one-room tenement even has authentic exposed industrial pipes running below the ceiling. The walls are finished in minimal German smear finish, with one wall partly plastered to lend the high contrast.

• The owner of this kitchen has gone for a distressed finish, with the cabinetry also taking on an old-world appearance. The refrigerator is vintage, and the walls are neatly finished with German smear.

• Now, this is creativity, unleashed! Here’s a modern living room that features an accent wall that is one part exposed brick wall and one part plaster. The brick part is done up in a German smear finish. The smooth plaster takes on a creative wave-like finish and is left whitewashed to add rustic charm.

Keeping your German Smear Looking as Good as New!

Mortar adheres pretty strongly, so once finished your wall will be permanent and will not require much maintenance. If it’s an external façade wall, you can hose it down with water once in a while to remove accumulated dust. Interior walls can be wiped with any diluted cleaning product or a 50:50 mix of vinegar and water.

The German smear finish is becoming increasingly popular with designers who wish to opt for a rustic and oh-so-popular industrial look. There are no set rules, so you can experiment with small samples till you achieve the textural effect that you like. The finish on your brick wall will add a lot of character, and give your room a very unique vibe. This style is difficult to remove once applied, so make sure that it’s what you really want in your home! For more tips, do get in touch with the HomeLane design team.