Just to clarify, this tile work was done by previous owners. It is nice and well-done, but definitely not original and just not our taste.

I would start by removing everything from the mantle, bookshelves, windowsills, etc. You might even remove the shelves, they look sort of skimpy. The tile works well with your current furniture. I really think that the fireplace could look great....much better than painting it. Please do not try to incorporate gray into your room. Remove the things and then reevaluate after a few days.

You will also likely get some great advice from this post.

Good God!

That looks horrendous! Couldn't help myself on that pic....wow!

* Clean it well....powdered Dirtex.

* Lightly scuff-sand with 100-grit & remove dust.

* Realize that you'll still see the Tiles' "Relief Pattern".

* Use Insl-X STIX primer. VERY good stuff for these projects!

* 2 coats of a good quality paint.

Faron

In my opinion the tile is kind of nice, not terrible. What jumbles it up is all the clutter on the mantle and the shelving on each side of the fireplace. I would not waste time painting it and would just live with it until you have enough funds to rip out the tile and replace it and the shelves on each side.

Thanks for input already.

I realize this looks a bit of a mess right now — lots of clutter that I fully intend to clean up and will re-style the mantle and shelves eventually. But we are people who have a lot of stuff and know the shelves will always be full (though less chaotic) — I think with that knowledge, the fireplace is so busy that it exacerbates the clutter and that’s another reason for the change.

The shelves and mantle are quite substantial actually (mantle is 2” thick) and while also not particularly our taste, they will stay for now. Hard to understand scale from photos sometimes. This thing is massive — the mantle is about 5’ from the ground.

@faron79 — you think the scuff sand is really necessary? I’m sure it would be better, but I feel like that’s a huge additional step (and mess) I’d like to avoid if it isn’t absolutely essential.

That is busy tile that is a very specific taste.

But I’m not sure how painting it will look. I agree with leaving it until you’re able to replace the tile. Do you have any DIY experience?

Also, if you have lots of stuff that isn’t ‘display quality’, enclosed cabinets would be a nice addition on either side of the fireplace.

Paint it- worst case, you still hate it and rip it out. Honestly, retailing that wouldn’t be a huge job.

^retiling

what about Venetian plaster to cover it?

This article they used it a little differently but may give you some ideas for yours: https://www.runtoradiance.com/diy-fireplace-makeover-with-video/

I think just the plaster would look good on yours, tinted to a color in your color palette.

Another option is to tile over your tile, I did it several years ago, just need to prep the existing tile.

Yes, scuff sanding is important--it gives the primer something to grab on to. But it is really not that messy and will take very little time. I scuffed my tile with a 120 grit sandpaper, just roughing the surface of any slick portions of tile, then I vacuumed the dust with a brush attachment, and wiped it down with a damp cloth. Let dry completely before priming and painting. Once you paint over the tile with your primer, then you may find it easier to choose your final paint color :)

Wow! That's one of the most unique fireplace surrounds that I've ever encountered. It may not be vintage but it sure has the look of a vintage fireplace. Really hate to see it removed or covered up. Would suggest as one other poster did - remove most of what's on the mantel and on the shelving and reevaulate how that whole wall looks. Might also suggest that instead of the shelving you have on both side you have built-ins built. Might give the entire fireplace a more cohesive look. If none of that works then painting the tile is an option for sure. If you go that route remember to use a paint that not only works for tile but also has a high heat rating for use at a fireplace. Painting the surround will eliminate the color but should leave the pattern and texture which I, for one, think is a good thing. Good luck and it really is a cool fireplace!

IMO that whole needs to redone it is cluttered and the tile is honestly the best part of the wall.Remove the shelving take all the stuff off themnatel and then look at the tile I see what looks like a MCM type sofa on the left take the rocker away and play with the colors in the tile

Thanks to everyone!

We realize the whole wall is a problem at the moment, but haven’t styled it at all because we hate the tile so much we have had this area in a holding pattern. The rest of the room (aside from the clutter) actually “works” well with the tile as it is now, we just don’t like the style! To each his own, of course, but it’s not our taste.

Thanks for the input on prepping and painting! As someone said, I think this is a nothing to lose situation for us — if we hate the result, we’re no worse off and we’ll just go ahead with retiling in the future (which we’ll probably do anyway, we just want a change in the meantime).

Thanks as always for the great input!

look forward to seeing what you end up doing!

I actually love the tile. I do agree, way too much clutter. However, since you have to live with it, then, I guess, maybe paint it, even though, it seems a shame to do so. Yes sanding is important. If you dont sand, before you prime, everything will peel off in sheets, and you will dislike it a whole lot more when it does that, than you do right now. Cleaning, to get any oil or grease, etc is very important. Sanding is very important, and a complete clean up after sanding is very important, then,primer and decide on your paint.

Paint it the same quiet off white as the walls. If you use bright white paint like your trim paint on the 5' tall fireplace, it will be a 5' tall bright white elephant in the room.

If you do want to add more color in the form of tile over the current tile, paint some foamcore boards in a few test colors, then prop them nearby. Move the flammable boards out of the way before using the fireplace. Look at Heath Ceramics tile to see what could coordinate nicely with the brown and tan floor tile in front of the fireplace.