Material: Ceramic Tile
To transform a fireplace into the focal point it’s meant to be, give it a fresh coat of color. But let the painter beware: High heat and flammable paint are a disastrous combination, so the firebox (interior) is strictly off-limits, as are fire screens. A tile surround, on the other hand, can be covered with latex paint for a whole new look. (In the “after” photo at left, the mantel, fireplace frame, and tile surround were all painted white to match the baseboards and window trim and tie the room together. To add definition, the thin tile border around the surround was painted with a half-and-half mix of white and the wall paint color.)
Step 1: Sand the tile to roughen the glazed surface; otherwise the paint will adhere in patches or not at all. Sand in small X patterns by going diagonally in one direction, then over the tile again along the opposite diagonal until you can feel that it is no longer slick.
Step 2: With a brush, apply a “blocking” primer, which will keep any old soot and smoke stains on the tiles from bleeding through your topcoat. Let dry for 24 hours.
Step 3: Apply two coats of semigloss latex paint to the tile, waiting at least two hours between coats. Semigloss will give the tile a nice shine and make it easy to clean (something you’ll be grateful for when a certain someone forgets yet again to open the flue before starting a fire).

Shopping List

One gallon Ace Stain Halt Latex Blocking Primer & Sealer, $18, www.acehardware.com for store locations.

One gallon Benjamin Moore Regal AquaGlo Semi-Gloss latex (shown in Decorator’s White), $37, www.benjaminmoore.com for store locations.

One quart Pratt & Lambert RedSeal Semi-Gloss latex (shown in Ventana), $11, www.prattandlambert.com for store locations.

Two packs 80-grit sandpaper, about $4 each at hardware stores.

China- or natural-bristle paintbrush, from $6 at hardware stores.