oil-based cannot go over water-based paint.

If previously painted it was probably painted with water-based, so you want to stick with that unless you know exactly what was used previously.

Fine Paints Of Europe Hollywood black in Hollandlac brilliant

Why black? That seems awfully unimaginative and it doesn't go with anything in that room. You're goin to end up with a huge black mass in a sea of earth tones. It will look like a mistake (or something the previous owner did that you haven't fixed yet).

The danger with black is that if it's not done right (perfect finish and coordinated with the room), it looks like something a goth teenager or college frat slapped up.

And what are those blue lines?

I agree it will just make that wall an even bigger black hole .There is no reason to use stinky oil based paint for duability there are many choices out there. Where I live oil based paints have been taken off the market for quite some time already.

Instead of a true black, I would consider a very darkcharcoal grey that will read black. Something like BM 1603 Graphite or BM 1631 Midnight Oil. I think a pure black will read too harsh.

What about going a shade or two darker than the wall color?

Black Ink is a soft black, but it is definitely black. Maybe the dealer is thinking of Black Jack which is gray. Pure black will look pretty much like your tv.

does anyone think the I should paint mantel black? I think it will look good and now Im having second thoughts.

I think painting that fireplace black would look horrible.

My confusion is in which part you want to paint. You said just the mantle?

If this is what you are thinking of, I would say no. It just doesn't do anything for your room.

don't use oil based paint. Advance, Pro Classic or even General Finishes Milk paint in 'Lampblack" will be fine.

phuninthesuns pic of the opposite looks great! Yes! Paint the brick black

my question is, 'what are you going to do w/the spiderweb of cords you have'?

cords going behind tv. I want to paint everything that is white black. there is already oil based paint on mantel. I bought oil based and just tried to paint the top to see how it comes out. Can always change my mind since its on the top. I didn't want to touch the brick. Thoughts?

thank you so much for the visualizer. so you think I should paint the brick black and leave the rest white?

You wanna do it, so go for it. Keep the artwork to the left of the fp. Perhaps replace the pieces to the right with something less whimsical and framed in black.

I would paint the brick instead. But if you really have your mind set on it, then go ahead. You can always change it later if you decide you don't like it. I would use a matte or low sheen on the wood. Keep us updated!

i bought satin. Now I hate the brick! Ugh......

paint the brick! or paint the mantle. if you don't like it, paint over it! not a big deal.

i like the contrast.

but please find a way to contain the ugly cords.

Try a small section in the satin. If you like it when it dries, keep going.

but i painted the mantel, not the brick....

i was doing other work down there. That stuff just got put there. Not the usual place for it. Thanks!

could you put a green on the mantel with visualizer and see how that looks? I don't know how to do that. thanks

you mean you want the white mantel in a green color? like forest green? and you want that next to your red brick? or you want to see how it looks next to a painted brick? I wouldn't do a green mantel next to red brick,,,,unless you live at the North Pole and have a white beard.

i can't even find a pic of one.. this is the closest

Just upload your pic with the link below.
Color Snap Visualizer

OP, your brick is fine. The warm tones tie in nicely with your existing decor. I kinda know what you're after, but I'm thinking stained almost-black wood, not jet black paint. In leiu of that a dark almost black charcoal/brown that connects both with the dark brown in the brick and your other elements. If you google paint colors that go with red brick, youll get lots of hits... just because so many people like you have been pondering that same question.

These people are all over the place - if a black mantel is a "black hole," then so is a black brick surround.... if not more so.

ok, heres the challenge. If this was your house what would you do? Tired of this outdated brick. No demo. Open to anything. Thanks

Thank you both for the advice and beth, your right I don't live in the North Pole. Thanks for reminding me of that...

I started a new post open to any and all solutions. Check it out if you have time.

OP posted to [Houzz/Design Dilemma[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/i-hate-this-outdated-fireplace-surround-what-can-i-do-to-update-it-dsvw-vd~4908755), in case anyone's looking for the follow-up in GW.

Well, OK, but if we're going to throw the "d" word around, I don't think its the red brick that's "dated."

BTW I wish we could know which professions the so-called "pro's" are claiming to be professional at. Could be pro wrestling for all we know. Ive used designer on occasion and one thing I would expect from them is to know and love color, in all their wonderful and infinite variety. I mean truly love it. For someone to not know which permutations of green DOESNT evoke Christmas... well I gotta wonder about that.

what is dated besides the red brick. Im stuck on that. thanks

Sorry theo I didnt quite say what I meant to say.... and that is that this certain subset of people here with very limited repertoire and whose design educaion seems to come from hgtv are going to criticize other things in your room and call it outdated just because its not the latest thing on TV. A real designer with even rudimentary talent would be able to take what you've got - even red brick - and find new ways to make your room look fresh and new - its like refreshing your wardrobe, you dont have to ditch everything.... unless thats what you really want to do. Ordinarily though you just keep what is loved and still serviceable and work in new stuff.

What did you end up doing? We are closing on a home the 15th of this month. The fireplace has a white surround with mantel (gas insert, no brick, no tile). I'm having the whole thing painted black. Black Ink is my choice. If it looks like a black hole, it'll be OUR black hole and no one else's. I really couldn't care less! LOL

Didn't go black on the mantel. It did look like a black hole. I think it depends on what else is going on in the room. I had 3 mantels. Had all 3 faux painted. They came out amazing! I love them all!..

This one we added handprinted scroll work to

Looks awesome! I do though, have to admit I don't understand the black hole. It doesn't appear like it would, however I'm not there and it's not my choice either ^_^ My walls will be Lancaster Whitewash by Benjamin Moore, and I'm doing Black Ink on the mantel and surround, because I love the soft black with the blue undertones. It's a nice contrast against the black of the gas insert. Ours is an open concept, foyer, living room and kitchen all one big room. Foyer being more elongated, then you walk into the rest. My absolute dream, is to find an old surround, maybe with a double mantel and mirror in it, and remove this new surround with mantel. I dig antiques...lol

Our fireplace was hand-built by the 1940s owner -- in fact he made and fired the bricks himself in his basement workshop. Unfortunately, the bricks were pink-ish with seashell and petrified wood inclusions. I'm sure he and his family thought it was beautiful, however to our eyes it looked like fruitcake made from Spam.

So we painted the whole thing gloss black, except for the air recirculation grille which got painted brushed nickel. IIRC we used an oil-based paint over a special masonry primer.

It's held up for six years and many many fires in the fireplace.

Love your description, Bryan! Ha It also sounds beautiful...much better than fruitcake made with spam...

I believe you really need a white fireplace surround and mantel for brightness and contrast.

My walls are a shade of white....BM Chantilly Lace. I painted the fireplace mantel and surround, BM Black Ink. I hung a huge beveled antique mirror above the fireplace. I have golds, reds, navy, a huge area rug that is almost entirely a whitish color (few navy blue lines through it)....this is an open concept, cathedral ceilings. There's so much more brightness in here, than there was when it was primer white with gold accent pieces. To each their own!

Geez! A simple question gets this many responses?

@ Aaron Holland Painting,LLC: "oil based cannot go over water based." There is a good reason for this axiom when referring to exterior paints. Oil is brittle, latex is elastic and they are bonded to each other - a bad combination when exposed to rapid exterior heat changes under direct sun. However, interior applications are much more constant and controlled environs. Oil paint will certainly bond well to acrylic/latex paints. There is no chemical reason per se why they are incompatible.

Yes! Pretty cool, huh? You can also always use oil based primers over latex.....

OP is already finished painted. no more advice is needed for her, or this months old thread.