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Fireplace in Resene Black, walls in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. Design by Olivia Ellis, image by Someday Photography.
Fireplace with surround painted in Resene Half Spanish White and walls in Regatta. Design by Carmel Interiors, build by KMI Builders.
This fireplace features texture on the surround in Resene MyArtisan Foundation Coat or a Rockcote Artisan finish. Design by Mitchell Addison Architecture & Design, image by Hamish Melville Photography, fireplace plaster by Mike May.
Design by Home Factor, image by Samford Cathie.
Design by Erin Meek Interiors.
Fireplace surround design ideas and tips
If you’re thinking of putting a fireplace in your new build, or perhaps just updating a forgotten gem in the corner of your lounge, there is plenty you can do to make your fireplace stand out.
Take a look at these ideas for some inspiration on colour and design, plus our top product tips for getting the best result, and you’ll have a beautiful fireplace by the time the winter chills hit!
Design by Olivia Ellis, image by Someday Photography.
In this cosy living room, the fireplace is painted in Resene Black, echoing the black exposed beams and contrasting against the dreamy walls in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. Painting over the older bricks with a sleek black also gave this room a contemporary touch.
Design by Carmel Interiors, build by KMI Builders.
This fireplace surround is painted in Resene Half Spanish White, gently framing it against the sophisticated dark walls in Resene Regatta. Choosing a contrasting shade for your fireplace will help to secure it as a focal point in the room and also show off any architectural features or finer details it may have.
Design by Mitchell Addison Architecture & Design, image by Hamish Melville Photography, fireplace plaster by Mike May.
Consider adding texture through products like Resene MyArtisan Foundation Coat or a Rockcote Artisan finish – this is trowel applied, usually by an approved applicator. Resene MyArtisan range has been developed for both DIY and professional applicators and is usually brush and roller applied. You can paint over this in your chosen colour too. This striking fireplace surround is a custom plaster finish with Resene Quarter Bison Hide, a gentle beige, painted over the top.
Design by Home Factor, image by Samford Cathie.
This timber surround stretches to the ceiling giving the room height. It also offers a certain cosy ‘cabin’ feel within the open-plan, neutral room painted in Resene Rice Cake. Depending on the look you’re going for, there are many Resene Colorwood interior stain shades to choose from, including Natural, Oregon, or darker hues like English Walnut and Pitch Black.
Design by Erin Meek Interiors.
If you’re wanting to keep the original brick or fireplace surround, you can still add a colour on the wall behind this to emphasize your fireplace as a focal point in the room. In this home, one fireplace is painted in (left) Resene Waiouru and (right) Blue Night.
Resene product tips:
- Before painting your fireplace, give it a good clean to remove smoke staining and then seal using Resene Sureseal. The surfaces surrounding the fireplace can get hot, but typically not enough (over 100 degrees C) to warrant using a high temperature coating so you can paint over this with two coats of your chosen colour using Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel, depending on the finish and sheen you want.
- For wood burners, potbelly stoves, heaters, BBQ exteriors, flues and other high-heat ferrous and non-ferrous metal surfaces, use Resene High Temp Black Enamel, a specialised coating designed for withstanding temperatures up to 538°C. Formulated with heat-resistant pigments, it offers excellent colour retention, durability and rust resistance once fully cured.
If you’re painting over tiles, check out this MasterStroke video for Updating your fireplace tiles with textured paint.
Published: 09 Apr 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
