Does it not function? Or you don't use it? I don't think painting it black is a very good Idea. You could of course retile it, the elements on the mantle are fine. Did you just move in?

I'd rather see art above it instead of the mirror. If it is art you really like, it may take your mind off the fireplace! I like the fireplace, by the way, but not the black screen. I notice your rug, so you do like black and modern/abstract.

Re-tile use Calcutta or Carrara Marble or quartz slab tiles or tiles. Is the paint on your walls white. What is it about the tile you don’t like.

I have this same fireplace. Actually, I have two. One has black tile and the other has green tile. I added molding to cover a good portion of the tile and now I no longer despise it. Maybe this would work for you?

Instead of a mirror above I would go with a beautiful black and white modern painting or wall decor, much like the one below. It would complement a black fireplace very well.

You could also opt for a black and white patterned tile to update the space.

The fireplace is non functioning wood burning. We have a gas fireplace in another room. This is right where you enter the house. My color scheme is wood, black, and white. The fireplace tile looks very 2003 to me. Travertine I believe it is called. I like the look of a classic painted brick. But maybe that is let classic? I’ll try figuring out better art. Thank you. Then I think I either need to add molding to cover the tile or retile it. I like the idea of marble but I’m wondering if that will look dated soon? I have the marble look alike quartz counters in my kitchen.

Black tile could be neat, too! Is brick timeless? Is marble timeless? Like carrerra subway or slabs?

Where does one buy moldings? And can you install tile over existing tile?

Yes you can retile over existing tile and for mouldings you can go to Lowe’s or Home Depot

Perhaps paint beige tile surround and hearth Matt black and white fire surround, zebra one is cool, might be a bit too daring

I don't think paint will adhere well to the tile.

Have you thought about painting the wall and the mantle black? Put a fantastic piece of art over the mantle.

Another painting.

One problem is that the mantle is too high. I think painting the tile would be a mistake. Covering much of the tile with molding would help. If you could drop the mantle down and put simple pilasters to the floor that might do the trick, or a whole new wood mantle on top of the stone. Definitely drop the top of the mantle below the window trim.

I think you need to examine what it is that you hate about it before making a decision. It seems to me to be an insignificant focal point as is. Beefing up the sides with some trim to tie in with the mantle would define the edges and give it more presence. Painting the wall a bold color or adding some black accents to the wall/mantle after will tie in with the other black accents in your room. Just enough to anchor the room and tie in. I wouldn't recommend overdoing the black. Less is more with black and especially paired with orange to avoid the Halloween feel. A third color may be advisable here. Consider hiring a color consultant to mold your vision. Good luck!

One more thing... A bold wall color will make those windows a focal point. Ask yourself if you are okay with that. Maybe money better spent to find your true focal point and work on that instead by beefing up the fireplace and adding custom cabinets. There are lots of ideas on Houzz.

Sure you can paint the tiles black but unless you add something else like stencil it will look like painted tile. I dont think you would be satisfied with that look. But you can always paint it and before putting a protective coat on top decide if you want to keep it. If you dont like it then its easy to peel off at that point.

Hire a carpenter to frame the tile. It looks unfinished with the mantle alone. BTW, if the fireplace does not work, why have the screen, which looks out of place.

Do a custom hand stenciled plaster over it

MS Colours Inc - Is that a stenciled plaster in your photo? It looks like a stencil and paint to me. None the less I think a stenciled plaster is a great idea!

I don’t mind the fireplace tile. I think the problem is that the mantle & the tile do NOT work at all together. I think if you got a clean-lined non decorative mantle you would love the fireplace more. If not & you retile you will need to work your tile around your Arts & Crafts style mantle. Otherwise, I believe you will not like the final outcome. A carpenter can easily “box “ in around the tile & add molding design to key in the mantle & make it look like one designed piece. Make sure to post the final outcome...

Thanks everyone. I think I’m the short term I will add a statement piece of abstract art. In the long term, I will retile the fireplace, add white wooden molding around it, and simplify and lower the mantle. These suggestions are amazing and so helpful. I’ll come back once I have made progress or have found inspiration. Thank you everyone!!

You can certainly paint the tile, but you’ll need a suitable primer. However, like others have said, you’ll end up with the look of painted tile.

I like MS Colours’ idea of plaster. Be sure to bridge the tile joints with fiberglass mesh. You could stencil or just use an attractive decorative plaster with a bit of texture (visual texture and/or physical texture).

All of this in addition to well designed pilasters will give you a great new look.

The issue with replacing only the current tile area with black is it will look like a dark hole, square. IMO if black is what you want take it to the ceiling and leave off any surround or shelves.

I also thought about painting the tile white and once dry stain it lightly with a black stain but do not let it dry wipe off to give a almost sponge effect. I forgot what’s that called.

It is a very thin stenciled plaster