Hey Deborah, were you wanting to do a complete overhaul or just replace the tile. If you could please send more info, I can make some recommendations. Do you prefer traditional or modern. Thanks

if you want to go more modern

if you want to go with another color, this is a dark charcoal

if you want to get rid of the raised area and go with a dark tile. You would have to remove the raised area, cover the lower area with cement board and tile over it.

if you like brick, this will be more traditional

this look can be done with a tile and a large one piece stone for sitting in front of the fp

You can get a similar look with a dark or black tile for the surround and remove the raised area

You could do a marble tile instead of a large slab to get a similar look. If you want to keep the raised area, you could put marble on it also

Wow. Thank you. You are definitely a pro. My husband is not a handy but we have done multiple diy projects successfully. I was considering using airstone vs. Even painting the tiles as an easiest solution.... the last picture looks more feasible if we keep the mantle. New York Transformation one kind looks great too. I liked the modern style with traditional twist to it.