I have a couple of questions re tiling over my painted brick fireplace (1) We demolished the raised hearth and want to install tiles. We find brick below where the hearth was with a 3" trench running in between the brick across the width of the hearth. My concern with placing tile directly over this is that the tile may be unstable due to the trench. Do I put concrete in the trench to fill it or instead use something like wonderboard across the entire width of the hearth ? (2) I have seen a number of posts about tiling on a painted brick fireplace but unfortunately have not seen a detailed step by step for a DIY-er. I am ready to take on this job but would love to get some inputs from others who have done this before. If there is such a guide somewhere, pls help me find it. Thanks in advance

I was going to look for a couple of ideas to post for you, but I found so many interesting ideas on Houzz, I kind of couldn't stop myself. I really like the first one and the last one especially intrigues me, with the idea of just one bookcase on the side with the offset mantel. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-contemporary-living-room-new-york-phvw-vp~6567) [contemporary living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by new york architect Coburn Architecture and Interiors [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/audrey-matlock-architect-modern-living-room-new-york-phvw-vp~18255) [modern living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2105) by new york architect Audrey Matlock Architects [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/boston-architects-eck-macneely-architects-inc-contemporary-family-room-boston-phvw-vp~33471) [modern family room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2105) by boston architect Eck : MacNeely Architects inc. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/woodvalley-house-interiors-contemporary-living-room-baltimore-phvw-vp~170469) [contemporary living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by baltimore architect Ziger/Snead Architects [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/stamford-living-traditional-living-room-austin-phvw-vp~98164) [traditional living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2107) by austin architect Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/new-england-contemporary-living-room-and-dining-room-contemporary-living-room-boston-phvw-vp~34860) [contemporary living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by boston architect LDa Architecture & Interiors [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/home-nest-traditional-dining-room-new-york-phvw-vp~83353) [traditional dining room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2107) by new york interior designer Marie Burgos Design [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/portfolio-pictures-contemporary-los-angeles-phvw-vp~118723) [contemporary family room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2103) by los angeles interior designer Kashmere Interiors [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/living-room-contemporary-living-room-austin-phvw-vp~130510) [contemporary living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by austin interior designer Laura Burton Interiors

Thank you everyone for the responses! I have attempted to respond 2x so far and it isn't showing up...I'll write a shorter response and then reload the computer to see if that is the issue. To answer your questions (quickly): I apologize about the sample quality. I posted the photo to show the shape of room and give you an idea of what we are working with at the moment (obviously, still working on it). I didn't even think that maybe you guys would zoom in on the pictures! I will put a higher quality one. I"m sorry they were so horrible/terrible. Thank you for the suggestion to use Duraseal/Bona. I had wondered if that was a better option but hadn't started researching. I was playing around with the minwax that I had at the house. I will def look into the Duraseal provincial. I think it's more like the color I imagine in my head. My only concern is that it would be too dark but that's what samples are for! The floors will be pine. We aren't in the position to get other wood right now, so we are going to deal with the yellowy color but it's the best we can do. fortunately, pine was common in farmhouses around here, so we aren't too far off base (I don't think so, anyway...) I am going to re-read everything and get back with more answers. I'll find a better quality sample pic. Sorry again - I didn't realize that you were looking at them!

Thank you Beverly! We have considered white washing the fireplace. That's so neat how you gave me a visual. Thank you! The whole black-trim-on-one-wall-thing came about when we had someone come out for a consultation on widow treatments/blinds (which we haven't figured out yet either). We also needed blinds in the master bedroom and newly renovated master bath, which both have black trim, and the look is really great in those areas. She suggessted we carry that out into the living area by doing the fireplace wall trim black, plus the ceiling beam and staircase rails. It doesn't have to stay, but looks a bit better in person with the whole house in perspective. I'm so grateful for the suggesstions!!! I'm an accountant, not an interior decorator!!