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A dark green-brown fireplace can look almost black without swallowing a room. In a 1928 Milwaukee bungalow, homeowners Maudie and Ronnie Francek chose Sherwin-Williams Andiron for a fireplace that had already been painted, matching it to the deep color they uncovered in the original hearth tiles. Snowbound walls and restored warm wood details give the fireplace contrast and context.
Why did they paint the fireplace instead of stripping it?
The Franceks tackled the living room first while renovating their home room by room. “The living room was our first project,” Maudie Francek says. They had refinished the floors before turning to the room, which had “great bones” but had been covered in beige. Their aim was to make a comfortable place to relax while work continued elsewhere: “We knew it would be the space where we spent most of our time, so we wanted to create a comfortable landing spot to relax in as we tackled the rest of the house,” Maudie shares. (LJ Smelker, AOL republishing Apartment Therapy, October 3, 2026)
The fireplace brick already had paint on it, so the couple opted for a fresh coat rather than stripping it back to bare brick. “This time we decided to fully commit and paint the entire fireplace,” Maudie shares. “It had already been painted before, so we saw no harm in giving it a fresh color that fit our style.”
What paint color makes a fireplace look almost black?
The Franceks chose Sherwin-Williams Andiron, a deep green-brown that reads nearly black in the room. Their choice came from the hearth, not from a general rule about fireplace colors: they scrubbed the original tiles, noticed their rich green-brown tone more clearly, and color-matched the fireplace paint to it. Maudie recalls, “As soon as we painted [the bricks], the tiles popped.”
#1 Best Overall
- 16 flu oz. Can
- Flat black
- Contains no lead, fluorocarbons, or vinyl chloride
- No primer needed
- 1 year UV resistance after application. Weather- and heat-resistant
That sequence is a useful design idea if you are choosing a color for your own room: look at fixed features such as hearth tiles for undertones that might otherwise be easy to miss. But this is one couple’s color decision, not a universal formula, and the source does not give a technical paint specification or establish whether the fireplace is used for combustion.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What keeps a very dark fireplace from overwhelming the room?
The fireplace was part of a broader balance of light and warm finishes. The Franceks used Sherwin-Williams Snowbound on the walls to brighten the living room and its connected dining room. They also refinished the alcove shelves to the left of the fireplace, along with the baseboards, trim, and French doors, bringing back several warm wood tones.
The Tool Desk
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- HIGH TEMPERATURE STOVE PAINT - Designed specifically to withstand temperatures up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring long-lasting performance on your fireplace and other high heat surfaces
- HIGH TEMPERATURE PAINT, SATIN BLACK FINISH - Easy to apply and dries quickly, our high temperature grill paint enhances the look and longevity of your grill
- HIGH HEAT BLACK PAINT - Experience the strength of our high heat black paint, which retains its color even in extreme heat conditions, ideal for wood, pellet and gas stoves and many other surfaces that are subject to high temperatures
They kept the furnishings simple, with mid-century modern references and plants that reflect their love of the outdoors. Against those lighter walls and restored wood surfaces, the dark fireplace becomes a focal point while the rest of the room retains a relaxed feel.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 1200 Degree F, flat black brush-on paint will restore the beauty of your old stove or grill, or bring a great look to a new project
- Adheres to steel, cast iron, aluminum, brick, and most other metals
- Great for grills, stoves, smokers, stove pipes, or chimney caps
- No primer needed
- Flat black color
Rank #4
- Quick-Drying Formula: Facilitates efficient and hassle-free application, allowing you to complete your projects with ease
- Exceptional Heat Resistance: Withstands temperatures up to 220°C, ensuring superior protection for surfaces exposed to extreme heat
- Versatile Application: Ideal for use on grills, metal and wood and on both exterior and interior surfaces. NOT FOR USE ON WOOD BURNING STOVES, BARBEQUES, FURNACE CHIMNEYS ETC
- Professional-Grade Finish: Achieve a sleek, matte black appearance that not only protects but also enhances the aesthetic appeal of your heat-sensitive surfaces.
- heat-resistant paint, black protective coating, grill paint, stove protection, chimney heat shield, exhaust pipe finish, high-temperature resistance, durable matte finish, premium surface protection, Rustins brand, professional-grade paint, heat defense solution
Rank #3
- HIGH HEAT SPRAY PAINT: Protective enamel retains its color and finish on metal surfaces exposed to intermittent heat up to 1200°F.
- RUST & CORROSION PROTECTION: Durable coating helps protect high-heat metal surfaces against rust, corrosion, chipping, and outdoor weathering.
- IDEAL FOR HIGH-HEAT SURFACES: Refresh and protect the exterior of barbecue grills, wood-burning stoves, radiators, engines, fire pits, and fireplace screens.
- FAST-DRYING FORMULA: Dries to the touch in approximately 30 minutes and covers up to 7 to 8 square feet per can for efficient project completion.
- LONG-LASTING COLOR RETENTION: Maintains a durable, attractive finish after repeated heating for dependable indoor and outdoor metal protection.
What to take from this makeover before painting your own fireplace
- Start with the room’s existing colors. The Francekes noticed the hearth tiles’ green-brown color after scrubbing them, then chose a coordinating fireplace shade.
- Think about the surroundings. Here, Snowbound walls and restored warm wood details provide contrast for Andiron.
- Distinguish repainting from restoration. This was a repaint over a previously painted fireplace, not a return to bare brick.
- Check product suitability separately. The makeover account does not establish heat rating, application instructions, fire safety, or suitability for a working fireplace. For a fireplace that burns fuel, use paint only if its manufacturer documentation explicitly supports the surface and conditions involved.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
