Your house is beautiful. My husband and I are having our soon to be new home remodeled and an addition built. Our builders have suggested painting the brick (red/orange brick from '69) and find brick for our additon that has similar texture to the old brick and painting it also. I know you posted this back in April but I wasn't sure how long it had actually been completed. Have you had any trouble with the upkeep so far? I've tried doing some internet research, but most seems to knock the brick painting idea. Our only other option is to cover it with siding. Your post has actually been the most helpful page I've found yet! Thanks!

We primed it with Porter's 515 Acrylic Bonding Primer (tinted to match the paint color) and then applied 1-coat of Porter's AcriShield Satin Paint.  We haven't had any problems.  The picture doesn't show it very well, but the steps are also painted brick, and they get walked-on a lot.  We haven't seen any problems with the paint sticking.  It seems to be very durable.  I think it would take a sand blaster to remove it.  I've read that with new concrete or mortar you should wait 90 days before painting so that the masonry has a chance to cure.  Otherwise the paint might peel.  A lot of the homes here in Atlanta have been painting over the old brick, going back 10 years or more.  I haven't seen any that were peeling.  We're gonna just re-paint it along with the siding & trim every 5-6 years to keep it looking fresh.

I hope this helps.  Good luck with your remodelling!  It sounds like a great project.