I'm loving the Foggy Morning & the Ultra Cream. Both would add so much texture. I'm IN LOVE with fireclay & everything crackle.

Mark, you make me feel like someone is listening.

You know, this is a real opportunity to play with that contrast and add some color if you wish - really rich, deep, satisfying color. My choices would be Prussian Blue, Navy Blue, or Basalt.

Mark Rachel...I will definitely get samples of the first and last. Have you seen the middle two in person? Are they very green? I adore the first and last. Love the crackle.

Eam...I am so afraid of color. I am almost color phobic when it comes to anything permanent. If I wasn't so color phobic I would choose this vintage look which I adore.

the basalt will definitely go on my list. I love it! Have you seen it in person. Is it crackle and is it very black or more of a charcoal?

ILR I love eams first blue. it will actually read as a neutral

crackle crackle crackle!

I have seen the Basalt in person and it is pretty black. It has a little bit of crazing, a matte sheen, low variability in glaze color, and I love it, but you can do so much in this one little spot. Have you looked at Loch Ness? It is prettier in situ than on the website (see it installed below). There is a gorgeous emerald green, really saturated, called Venetian Green. It and the Navy Blue are so saturated, they bring black to mind and will go with everything.

I think your inspiration image is lovely, and you could do that too. Think about it! You can paint the area that is to be tiled before you tile it - practice with a little bit of color.

So don’t be afraid of color. If on the other hand, you just prefer neutral glazes, Fireclay neutrals are beautiful.

Cp...ok I will get a sample of the Prussian Blue as well. I think the first five are free, then 2bucks each. But I will get as many as I need to.

Thanks eam..I will definitely get the Basalt. I may get the others too. The blue is really pretty. I really screwed up the first house I built in the late 80s with some really bad choices in permanent things and have always chosen neutrals since then. Maybe I need to let some of that go :-)

At only 2 bucks I will get samples of the others you mention. Thanks. Especially like the Basalt.

CEFreeman....yes, I adore the crackle. Every time it is shown by someone here I loved it more and more.

If your house can support the vintage look that you love, you should be looking at Pewabic. With color.

I like Fireclay tile and have spent a stupid amount of money with them
(and about to spend more), but why limit yourself when you only need
4x4s? Weird sizes, shapes, and trim pieces are what set Fireclay apart.
Yeah they have nice colors and crackles but they aren't that unique.

Also look at Rookwood Tile which is what I put on my fireplace.

Since you are not venturing out with a color, would you consider a different shape? That would really add some character to the space without being a "color risk".

Yes--make use of the cool shapes! Some are traditional shapes while uncommon (and special) as tile.

(Psst: I like Kiwi.)

I like the idea of darker tile. What will the built-ins be - white?

This is fireclay's 2x8:

Poorly photoshopped:

Or small 2" or 4" hex. This is 2" in gypsum:

Or how about this gorgeous Loch Ness (crackle):

Fori...I admit I had to google pewabic. So beautiful. Love vintage but I dont know...

CP... Oh I know all about your tile and I spent a stupid amount of time on the Rookwood website but everything I liked looked just like yours and although your fireplace is one of my inspiration pics, I do not want to be a copycat. But I have not ruled out Rookwood yet. How would you feel if my surround ends up like yours ;-) As much as I love neutral..I could certainly change my tune to a little bit of that lovely red.

i did show my Amish gentleman your fireplace when I was explaining to him that I wanted a vintage 4x4 look and no open shelving anywhere. Since my house is not arts & crafts/ craftsmen I carried the builtins into taller furniture like pieces. My mantle looks like yours. And the recessed panels mimic a little. He does not use a computer so it's hard to tell exactly what it will look like. But, this is his third drawing and I'm hoping it will be what I'm expecting. Fingers crossed.

Mark..Rachel...I sometimes have a hard time making up my mind but I'm pretty sold on the 4x4 . Once I saw it on CPs fireplace I never looked back. But there are some other beautiful shapes. I'm afraid that anything else I try will end up looking more contemporary than what I am after

Fori...which brand has the kiwi? I want to see it.

Oldbat2be...thank you for photoshopping for me!!!

the builtins are BM White Dove. There is a very wide bead board above the fireplace and in the back of the cabinets with a wire mesh on the doors. I know that glass would probably have been more appropriate but I really wanted to try to keep them a little more informal.

Not crazy about the 2x8. I think I might like it better in a horizontal installation but I'm afraid it might lean a little more contemporary?? What do you think.

i LOVE the hex and that color, almost a putty is really appealing. Enough contrast between it and the White Dove.

I agree about the dark. My favorite of all you posted is the Loch Ness. I love this tile and the color. It looks like the installation gives a variegated look?? I don't see the crackle but I love the colors. and I think the colors give it a vintage look if I can get it in the right shape.

where is the Loch Ness from. Thank you!

Oldbat2be

do I have the right site for the Loch Ness tile. Or is the tile in your pic another brand? Thanks!

https://www.fireclaytile.com/tile/colors/detail/loch-ness/

But I have not ruled out Rookwood yet. How would you feel if my surround ends up like yours ;-)

I would feel very flattered. If you decide you want to go in that direction, message me and maybe I can help.

Since my house is not arts & crafts/ craftsmen I carried the builtins into taller furniture like pieces. My mantle looks like yours. And the recessed panels mimic a little.

It's definitely similar but not mine at all. It's unique to yours and will be gorgeous. I like how the columns mimic the sides of the drawers.

He does not use a computer so it's hard to tell exactly what it will look like. But, this is his third drawing and I'm hoping it will be what I'm expecting. Fingers crossed.

Neither did my guy. My guy is Mennonite.

Now think about that rose on a color like the Loch Ness color.

Also if you haven't looked yet, be sure to check out Motowi tile. They were actually my first choice, but they are definitely not cheap.

Oh my! The Motawi tiles! How vintage and amazing.I didn't know this site existed. Looking there tomorrow. Heading to Chicago to see pg dd this weekend so won't be on here much til Monday.

if you really don't mind a copycat I may do something like yours. I love, love, love the touch of red. And your field tile, although barely green is very neutral. I'm also going to order the Fireclay samples and spend some time looking at them. Even if I don't use this on my fireplace I'd love to use it as a kitchen backsplash when the time comes.

and the Loch Ness looks different on every picture. So I have to see the sample. Or if Rookwood has a color similar it might be the winner with the red. I also thought about the tree of life but then thought...nah.too much maybe?

im glad you like my fp. Second guessing is so easy to do. This company is doing dh's office, gathering room ceiling, kitchen, 3 builtins, bathrooms, basement bar. Floor guy must be Mennonite because he drives and has a cell phone! Another Amish gentleman has rebuilt my screwed up staircases. Remember that debacle?

i may be in touch next week if I decide to do Rookwood. TY.

Have a wonderful weekend.

I do believe I remember seeing a color similar to the Loch Ness. Yes I was not so sure of my fireplace color at first, but now I love it.

Fori, I just have to ask, are you pleased now?

She's not *not* pleased.

ILR - yes, it's from Fireclay. After posting, I saw that I had repeated one of EAM's photos :) Yes, the Loch Ness does look different in each picture, which is neat. Note how different it looks with the cream / wider (?) grout.

I don't know that I could go with the stacked tile either - but did consider it strongly on my recent pantry redo!

Another dark tile I fell for is the Winchester:

EAM suggested Basalt and Fori suggested a shape - this shows how little variation this color has. I like how clean this looks:

OB2B, I like the lantern shape but I love the dark grey grout with that tile.

This is a great thread. Such helpful folks and beautiful tiles. My fireplace surround has needed updating since I moved into my house 19 years ago. :)

Cpartist, could you link to your fireplace surround?

CP will you post a pic of yours? How am I missing this beauty?

Oldbat2be...I LOVE THIS!!! Is it really the Loch Ness? I love how it looks against the off white? it looks perfect. Maybe even in that size.

I can't find the Winchester color. Even in a google image search. Link please anyone? Everyone thank you so much. I am so grateful.

Does anyone know if Fireclay makes a liner size tile like CP has around the perimeter of her firebox?

I'm headed to the house soon so will take some updated photos

CP will you post a pic of yours? How am I missing this beauty?

Cpartist, could you link to your fireplace surround?

With my light fixtures in. What's hidden is the hearth which is also the Rookwood tile. Wood on the fireplace surround is quarter sawn oak.

Close up shot. Excuse the dust everywhere.

A word of advice, the Ultra Cream and Foggy Morning with Black Patine are a V4 tile, so request multiple samples so you are aware of the variation.

After seeing CP’s tile I don’t think you should go with that color. That is lovely, but also has a lot of color surrounding the space. You describe your space as white cabs & light neutral paint. You need a contrast. Something darker that will offset all the bland colors (not a bad thing). You need to pick something to be the focal point. The fireplace is a perfect opportunity for that!!

So if you do go neutral, something with a V4 rating will add some interest to the bland pallet.

Mark_rachel, that's why I suggested if she wanted to use the floral tile, she do it on a dark background like the Loch Ness color. I agree with you that she needs something with more umph for her tile.

Totally agree CP! This can be an amazing centerpiece!

I was SO close to using Winchester Tile for my BS. Their glazes are amazing. They have quite a few different collections, some with crackle, some relief, some patterned - gorgeous. They're out of the UK but have dealers all over and dealers who will ship if you can't find one nearby. Their website has a dealer locator.

Anyway, Here's the link to the Winchester Tile website