In Part 1 of the fireplace makeover I painted the black and brass insert totally black.
The black paint was messy — I just threw the paintbrush away after finishing.
After removing the tape and cleaning up I was happy with the outcome. Phew! It’s difficult to reverse the process once it’s painted black.
I used painters’ tape to mask the freshly painted black fireplace insert.
Painting the black part of the fireplace black was not so daring as what I was going to do next.
Truly the point of no return.
Using Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 primer as suggested by this website I started painting the terracotta tiles with a paint brush using a crosshatch technique.
The difference between the first (right) and second (left) coats was encouraging but indicative that much more painting would be needed.
After the first coat I liked it but realized that it would take multiple coats to finish this project.
Five coats of paint is my initial limit — 3 primer, 2 topcoats of semi-gloss
And so I plodded on allowing a few days for the primer to cure before adding more primer and finally a 2 topcoats of my trim paint — White Mosaic by Clark and Kensington — which I brushed on and smoothed with a roller.
Before and after: Top before painting wood stove, fireplace surround, and wall. Bottom — after.
I also started painting the 2-story wall behind the fireplace with Alabaster by Sherwin Williams to be ready for the third and final step of this fireplace makeover.
Jo
Let's Fake the Music 