Which Tile for fireplace surround?? Pics!

14 years ago

Since we have installed hardwood flooring, we are also re-doing our fireplace surround/hearth. The hearth will be 18X18 tile (light brown/creamy) which is like the tile in our downstairs bath and kitchen.

Our fireplace mantle is standard white, current surround around gas insert is brick as is hearth (which now is not level with floor). We knew we were going to re-do this area, but now I've found two tiles I love for the surround.

The surround area is small, so I needed small tiles 1X1. By small i'm talking around 6 square feet total of tile needed.

I first feel in love with the look of split face travertine stone. But then I also found a "fan" marble, honey color that I also like.

Here's the split face (I originally liked one with more gold/reddish flecks but I think it would blend in with our hardwood flooring.

Here's our flooring (ignore Scruffy, this is the only pic i have loaded into photobucket and i'm lazy tonight!)

Here's the tile for our hearth (just like my kitchen floor)

Here's the honey marble, fan shaped, glossy finish, 2nd choice:

So do you like the mosaic split face, or the fan shaped tile better? Which is more classic and would withstand any decorating style in the future?

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Comments (5)

marthaelena
14 years ago
Both of them are nice.
If it were my fireplace I'd use the split face. I'd say it is timeless and the texture adds warmth to the FP.
Are you going to have some wood work/mantle surrounding the tile? How "busy" is it?
dana1079
Original Author
14 years ago
Marthaelena,

Yes our mantle which surrounds the tile, is pretty simple, and white. It has fluting down the sides of each side, and crown trim around the long upper actual mantle, but that's all as far as detail. So it's not ornate, just a standard white fireplace mantle.

I so wish I lived in bungalow or old home with tons of character...

I too was draw to the split face because I liked the 3-d texture, but I also liked the fan mosiac because it was so different but I'm not sure if it's quite right for a fireplace surround?

If it helps the den on the otherside of the this fireplace which is the LR, is a full wall of HUGE sandstone. It is quite rustic and beautiful, but this room is our "man" room now so it houses the pool table, bar area, etc.

I'm trying to make our DR and LR classic, comfy, yet use accessories to bring in pattern and color.

Our LR is painted a shade lighter than ralph lauren canvas, so it reads a very light green/gray. One wall (staircase wall going upstairs) is Glidden olivewood.
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I think it looks like you did a very nice job with your tile work, and the colors and patterns look good with the other things you've chosen. If what is bothering you is the amount of tile, or the lightness of the tile in comparison to the darkness of the fireplace unit... then I think that a good answer might be a piece of art hung over the fireplace that has a rich, heavy wood frame. The piece would break up the tile, while allowing your accent rows to show, and would bring some of the warm wood tones you have elsewhere in the basement to the fireplace wall. I would aim for a more horizontal piece than normal, with a width about the same as the FP, but a height that wouldn't block the tile accents. That said, you really don't need to do anything. You did a very fine job with your project.
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Although the window CAN be operated, my landlord, for the whole time I lived there (about 5 years) requested that it NOT be openned. As for the trim and molding, yes it's wood, and it wasn't holding up well. When I pulled it all apart, the window trim and sill completely splintered, in spite of my being as careful as I possibly could. So right now, the trim is holding up nicely, because it's all brand new stain and urethane. But I give it a couple of years, and it'll start to deteriorate, as well. The ONLY safe way to have wood in a shower is to completely seal it up with a marine paint. Anything less, and you're asking for trouble. But I don't know what I'm talking about. Just ask my ex-landlord. He'll tell you. He didn't even want me putting in a backsplash in the kitchen because he was afraid I might not know what I was doing. He only allowed me to do this bathroom because we were having problems with the existing walls deteriorating, and as a result, leaking into the downstairs apartment, and he figured he had nothing to lose, being I was doing it with leftover materials, so it didn't cost him anything, save for a new shower valve.
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I am not sure how you're applying the floor tile, but I thought I'd share my tub surround with you and hope it might inspire some new thoughts. I used a 12x12 tile on my tub and in my shower and then used the same travertine on the floor, but I applied it on a diagnal. My deck is done in a ceramic tile with my accent color (brown) but perhaps if your floor tile is reasonable for an idea like this, you could find a great complimentary color for the Silver Sage for your deck tile and keep the walls and floor all the same. It's a nice look, and it actually does cut costs since you can buy a less expensive tile for the walls and then splurge on the deck. These are constructin photo's The walls have since been marbelized and the cabinets somewhat finished (the GC is VERY VERY Slow!!!) But anyhoo...just an idea to throw out :)
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One of the things that gets me all twisted around in these types of choices is the historical context. The most appropriate choice from a decorative standpoint may not be the most appropriate choice from a historical standpoint. The most appropriate one may not be the one that looks better. But if you are changing it out of necessity, maybe letting the historical trump the decorative is kind of revisionist anyway because it's not really historical, it's a replacement. See how I can twist it around? But part of the issue is that in the US there is such little historical fabric. I was talking to a patient from England who said that the house she grew up in was 500 years old But as far as the interiors went, they did not necessarily pick a bathroom tile or fixture based on needing to look "appropriate" in a 500 year old house, because what IS such a thing? Here, we try to preserve each element because of its rarity, but when it comes to having to Replace, what then? Maybe if you are replacing it with something that was not there to begin with (I doubt there was a marble facing on the firebox on the second floor of a house like this) --maybe you can replace it with whatever you like. (?)
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nigelsgarden
14 years ago
How wide is the area you're tiling? Don't limit yourself to small tiles just because the area is small. Tile can be cut and if you go to a major tile store you should be able to find matching trim and molding that would fit the area.

I like both of your selections but am not sure how each would look with your hearth. Place each sample next to your tile, then take more photos. Personally, I'd probably use a travertine hearth if I went with the first selection.

Keep in mind (don't know if this is a DIY job) that the small tiles should fit the space since it's a pain to cut small tile. Also, grouting the uneven surface of the travertine is going to be a 'fun' job! : ) Each little pit is going to fill with the grout so the end result will look different that what you're starting with.
dtinbna
14 years ago
That dog couldnt be any cuter!
jejvtr
14 years ago
dana
A pic of the existing space would be helpful

I agree w/above poster - not to limit yourself to small tile, that is not necessary and may not give you the look you are trying to achieve.

Which Tile for fireplace surround?? Pics!

Comments (5)

marthaelena

dana1079
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Which Tile for fireplace surround?? Pics!

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marthaelena

dana1079Original Author

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