Fireplace tile makeover
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Hello, I want to change the look on our gas fireplace. It has porous 6" tiles, and some smooth and porous, longer tiles along the border. See attached.Thanks for the input! - Stephanie
17 answers
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Although your fireplace surround is not painted this idea sounded interesting. www.remodelaholic.com/restoring-a-painted-stone-fireplace/
Janet Pizaro
on Jan 25, 2016
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What are you going to do with the wall around it?
Becky
on Jan 25, 2016
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Your tile work is gorgeous and was probably an expensive installation. What is it that you don't like...color? Texture?
MN Mom
on Jan 25, 2016
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You might want to look into products to change the grout color to brighten up the install.
Moxie
on Jan 25, 2016
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I agree, something is just not right. I would first try painting some or all tiles, trying to make use of the varied shapes and sizes. (it is the black I find most offensive and the black pitting. This might be solved with wiping in a neutral color and wiping it off the surface of the pitted ones. Paint /re-Grout then in a complimentary color to the walls. All this before gutting it out, it was not cheap and you risk losing house value if replaced cheaply.
Johnchip
on Jan 26, 2016
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Do you want to keep tiles or hide them? Have seen a few of DIY and remodel shows updating with subway or mosaic tiles. Take & print pics & sketch in different looks. Send us pic of your results.
Sheila D
on Jan 26, 2016
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Stephanie would you please post a picture of the whole front of the fireplace? I have a friend who designs tile and I would like to share it with her to help with ideas. She does work for HGTV and has a tile product line. Thanks!
MN Mom
on Jan 26, 2016
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Instead of removing the time, you could paint the time, which would give it a different color, but you would still have the same design look. If you are going for a brand new design look for your fireplace, you could remove the existing tile, and then build or buy a wood mantle. Here's a link to a company that makes all kind of fireplace mantles, just make sure to go with a design that is timeless. http://www.mantelsdirect.com/fireplacemantelslp-new.html?cpao=111&cpca=(ROI)+Fireplace+Mantels+General+Terms&cpag=Fireplace+Facade*SizedToFit&kw=fireplace%20facade*e&gclid=Cj0KEQiAz5y1BRDZ4Z_K_eGa84cBEiQAtQkeaMCBv6ECpkRiitbdthvwWGsMketho-MCAQ6bZZvLYwcaAuO48P8HAQ
LD
on Jan 26, 2016
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Without a bigger photo, it is hard to determine the age of your home. These look like they might be authentic Craftsman handmade tiles. If so, please research first before touching them! If authentic, you could probably sell for enough money to do whatever you want on your fireplace surround. And these vintage tiles will be saved.
Susan
on Jan 26, 2016
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Maybe stipple them. You can make fake 'cracked and aged looking' picture frames and other stuff so it may look good on your fire hearth too?
Ranger
on Jan 26, 2016
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If they are not authentic craftsman tiles you probably could paint them for a one color unified look.
Kathy Meador Wells
on Jan 26, 2016
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Showed my expert the tile and she said she does not believe it is Craftsman era due to the travertine and smaller rectangle tiles pictured. Most tiles then were hand made ceramic and were not as uniform as these. She cautions on painting this as the intricate installation is a quality investment. Painted tiles too often look like painted tiles.
MN Mom
on Jan 26, 2016
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I would suggest painting the tiles as well tather than taking down the original ones. They so look like craftsman tiles. Good luck. Hope you post your results.
Junebugtx
on Jan 31, 2016
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Actually, more like the Arts & Crafts style. I think it's really cool.
Junebugtx
on Jan 31, 2016
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Kerry N. Richmond, VA If you want to remove the tiles use a hammer and chisel. Use a good belt sander to clean up and make even the area the tiles were on. I'd pick Carrera thin marble tiles so you wouldn't have to worry about the weight of the marble falling off during the project. Use Muscle Bound Tile Adhesive Sheet to hold the tiles in place; make sure you have the spacers for the grout in. Once you have the tiles where you want use unsanded grout to finish. Then you're ready to put the marble framing on the same way.
Kerry
on Jan 31, 2016
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Have you thought of refacing with tile--a new tile? That's a very hot trend right now.
Susan Rawlings
on Feb 26, 2016
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I'm no help. I think it's fabulous. I'd attempt to repair myself, and have pro come and finish and seal it. Needs be, depending on the size of the wall, I would add a wider solid tile border around the whole thing, probably black. Like a picture frame. It is art of the era and the craftsman who designed it.
Jcraw
on Oct 22, 2016
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