Thank you. The fireplace wall is plaster. The cement board is only required for about a foot above the fireplace. The rest of the wall is the (blue board) regular plaster board. A finished L-metal trims out the fireplace. I do not recall if the painter used a high temp paint on this project, but we did not have any issues with paint. Be sure to follow the fireplace manufacturer clearances, as every fireplace has different requirements.

Mica McOmber