What color should I paint our fireplace surround?

After installing our new hardwood floors, I've been thinking more and more about changing the color of our fireplace surround. What color do you think I should go with? Here are a few options I'm considering: http://livingrichonless.com/fireplace/
Here's what our mantel looks like now.
I love this creamy off-white color.
I also like the look of this distressed wood.
This driftwood color is pretty, too.
  14 answers
  • Barbara R Barbara R on Feb 14, 2014
    I love the color of your light blue afghan on your chair. If you have other accent pieces in your room with that color, I'd go with the same color on your fireplace. If you notice in the other photos you have shared here, the mantel colors go with either the woodwork in the room or match the walls. I still like the light blue or another light color to match other accessories or furniture in your room. Let us know!
  • Kara Spurlock Kara Spurlock on Feb 14, 2014
    I think black would be a great contrast!
  • Shelley C Shelley C on Feb 15, 2014
    I am loving the new "driftwood"look lately. But I'm not sure it,or the distressed look would go very well with your beautiful new floors. Is your trim a creamy white? If so I think that would be nice...or a pale blue as Barbara stated above.
    • See 2 previous
    • @The Garden Frog with C Renee Great idea!
  • Jennifer G Jennifer G on Feb 15, 2014
    I'd go with the creamy white like your trim and then gild the details (the same color as that pretty frame next to the chair in your photo) to make them pop! The gilding will add a little bling and ensure it won't be boring!
  • Jan Loehr Jan Loehr on Feb 16, 2014
    Since you have a lot of neutrals going on in this room, walls, chair, floor, etc. I would not add another deep color to the mantel...I would complete the dark wood in creamy white to flow with the marble area of your fireplace. But, if I could make another suggestion, I would remove the items above your fireplace and replace the basket cover ? with an architectural item which hangs onto the wall instead laying it on the mantel. Maybe something with that soft blue on your lovely throw...a little silver accents thrown in would really pop in that area as well....hope I did not overstep boundaries here but just wanted to give you some other ideas! Good Luck!
  • Pam Bolton Pam Bolton on Feb 16, 2014
    I think that the creamy white to match your other moldings would be nice. I love the tobacco drying basket. Wish I could get one for a reasonable price on this side of the country.
  • Brenda Brenda on Feb 16, 2014
    I think the antique white would be perfect with the gild (gold) trim tole painted, it would give it a lot of class.
  • Carol Carol on Feb 16, 2014
    Why do you want to paint it? I love the rich wood color that it is now, and I think paint would only spoil it. Just some polishing with a good quality wood polish will make it look beautiful!
  • KathrynElizabeth Etier KathrynElizabeth Etier on Feb 16, 2014
    Have you consider silver leafing it? It would add a glamorous, dramatic element.
  • Corby Corby on Sep 16, 2014
    The original wood is gorgeous!!!! I would live it and change the tile around it.
  • Rose Rose on Sep 16, 2014
    I like the way it looks now but polish it to get any grime that builds up.
  • I see your home is decorated with lighter wood tones which is making for the want of change to the mantle, I am totally a dark wood person.... but in your case if you have white floor trim ... I would paint it white BUT.. you would need to change the marble surround in side as it would need contrast.
  • Sue Ryan Sue Ryan on Oct 17, 2016
    Because of the size of it, I would paint it a white that works with the existing tile. It would make it look bigger. You can always distress it a little to add character.
  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 27, 2023

    I'd go for the white. If you stain block it first it will be easier.