I like both of them, so decide between which of your inspiration photos you like the best. Whichever one you pick, I would extend it to the hearth, as is done in your inspiration photos. Otherwise, if you go with the smaller, busier tiles for the hearth that is going to call attention to that part of the design, as opposed to the fireplace surround, which is not the look I would want unless I chose some fabulous showy tiles for the hearth.

l pinkmountain, I think you misunderstood - the smaller tile is not intended for the hearth, it is the third choice and I just placed it there as there since it's on mesh backing and couldn't be propped up on the wall. Whichever tile I choose the whole thing will be all the same.

Here are some mock-ups - please ignore the floor/hearth part as it's too hard to PS for me.

crude mockup with the 12x3 tile

same as above with wall painted

with the surround added

with surround and wall painted

Bump - any advice?

It ALL looks good to me. I would probably go with the medium sized brick tile. Middle of the road. But that's my taste. I think the marble looks too modern, less cozy for my taste, but if you wanted a cleaner, more modern look, then it would be good. I'd think quite a bit about how the style of the fireplace would relate to all the other things in the room and in my house. I like a contrast of surfaces and textures, but some do not. If I had a lot of flat, cold surfaces I'd go with textured, but if I had a lot of textured things, I might go with the flat, smooth marble. Or if I wanted a flat smooth look to my whole house, that would be a plus for the marble. I'm an overstuffed, distressed old carved wood kind of gal so that colors my thinking. I would have stuck with the original! Seems like you want to take the room and house in a whole other direction, so I would take that into account too, figure out how much else has to change to make the more dramatic marble tiles work.

l pinkmountain, the brick-look tile is my favorite, too and I showed DH and he immediately chose that one. He hates the white surround and prefers the red wall, so I think we will keep the existing mantel and wall color for now, we can always repaint the accent wall later if the color doesn't work.

Now I just have to figure out what to do about the hearth, because I don't think the brick-look tiles will look right if laid flush with the flooring but maybe I am wrong about that. I was thinking of getting a large-format tile or solid chunk of stone in a matching color for the hearth, I saw the one below in the tile store and took this photo of the 2 together - having trouble picturing the hearth though!

Do you think the hearth looks better raised (as it is) and covered with the brick-type tile, or removed and flush with the flooring a large slab of co-ordinating stone?

I'm responding only to bump this up, I wish some other folks who have redone their fireplace surrounds would chime in here, because I know practically nothing other than I love fireplaces! But anyway, I thought of you last night because I am staying at my folks place and they have a raised hearth covered in weathered brick. It looks good. However, it would probably look good the other way too, flush with the floor. Depends on how much you use the fireplace. I would think the raised hearth would be to help keep ash and wood debris away from the living room floor, especially if it was carpet. But if it is a gas fireplace, then the issue is probably moot.

Thanks again pinkmountain - I wish I could get some other opinions, too! We decided we will remove the raised part because a raised tile hearth will have to be baby-proofed in future, I'd rather just avoid creating a hazard :)

It is a woodburning fireplace however I am allergic to smoke so we use only clean burning gel fuel cans in the fireplace. We wanted to convert to gas but the cost of running the gas line 40' under a concrete slab was very high.

Well it's not quite finished for the reveal pics, but I can't wait - we ended up choosing a natural limestone tile in subway format that I didn't see on my first visit. It was in stock and has matching pencil trim for the sides and large format 24x24 tiles for the hearth. We've very happy with how it turned out! The touch up prime/paint still need to be done on either side but here it is now...

Almost-After

Before

It looks great. I really like the stained mantel and the wall color with the new tiles. Good call on removing the raised hearth.

I think you chose very well. I like the limestone brick; good call on removing the hearth. They can be a hazard. Your decision to keep your mantle was right for your room. BTW, you work fast. Wish I did.

That red looks wonderful with the remodeled fireplace. Are you going to keep it?

You did a great job and I really hope you keep the original wall color. Against white walls the fireplace is not nearly as impressive. Your choice of materials for the fireplace is spot on.

I had posted a comment about lowering the hearth and finishing your tile edges. Then I saw you were finished already so I deleted my post.

I looks great!

Thanks everyone - yes we are keeping the red it looks great with the new tile, and gives our living room some warmth and color! The contractors are coming back to do the kitchen backsplash next week (after counters go in tomorrow) so they need to touch up some of the wall patch, there are a couple spots that need attention before we do the touch up paint. Of course it will look much better with the paint repaired but I was too excited not to share.

The hearth will be easier to keep clean and it's much safer than the raised heath. In fact the doors fit perfectly this way because they would have overlapped the top more if they could not extend down below where the hearth was before.

Very well done!

Tmnca, just saw your name and just had to chime in. I don't usually look on any other forums but kitchens. I am so excited to hear your countertops are going in tomorrow. Please, please update us how it goes.

Btw, the fireplace looks great!

They are working on them now - DH is at home so I won't get to see until after work! We've also been troubleshooting the heated floor in bathroom which gave us shocks - posted about that on bathrooms :(

I posted an update in kitchens with the counters installed - they are perfect! I'll post some reveal threads when all finished.

You definitely made the right move with the fireplace. Spectacular!