Thanks to all the wonderful feedback I understand clearly the Southwest Exterior paint concepts... The Quandary: One of the posts suggested the architectural features are 'not so much Southwest Design, but Craftsman Design' ...resulting in a uniquely blended-Hybrid home with Southwest Architectural features (Adobe/Stucco) 'and' with Craftsman Architectural features.... hmmmm... I have been strictly focusing on the Exterior being painted on what I thought was a traditional Southwest home; thus all the wonderful suggestions from previous posts... My question now is: Since the home is 'Not' Southwest in architectural design, but more Craftsman as one of the posts brought to light... 1. Is it appropriate to use the Southwest Exterior Color Schemes on this Hybrid house that has been identified architecturally as a Craftsman home, but the building material is Stucco-Adobe typically used in the traditional Southwest architecture?? 2. How do I proceed with the Exterior Color Scheme of this Hybrid (Southwest-Craftsman) home? Do I have to commit to 'either' Southwest Exterior Colors or to Traditional Craftsman Exterior Colors for this home to look authentic? Or can the styles be blended in some way to honor 'both' the Adobe-Stucco Southwest 'and' the Craftsman architectural aspects of this unique hybrid home?? That is what I meant in the previous post: Southwest vs Craftsman... Thank you for your patience... The home has historical value to the local community so I wish to 'honor' the essence of the home as the many pioneering families over a 100+ years as this house evolved into this unique hybrid of Southwest & Craftsman features. Thanks again for everyone's patience and time... 1113fortstockton

For simplicity and cost of construction it's best to use either brick or stone but not both at the same time.

The correct answer is you will need hi-temp paint made for the inside of the the fireplace, anything else will create a smelly, dirty mess.

After a little research and speaking directly with my mortar manufacturer, I don't think there's a mortar on the market that will handle the extreme heat. Heat bricks use a refractory mortar but this product does not bond like tile mortar. I think your best bet would be to call a masonry and ask their advise if they know of a product that will resist the extreme heat and still bond to tile.