I painted a faux marble technique on my old black and discolored marble fireplace and it turned out beautifully. By painting this faux marble fireplace, I saved us a lot of money.
Update
The fireplace was painted over 5 years ago and has held up beautifully. I move the heavy iron fireplace screen and the paint has not chipped or scratched.
The walls and trim in my home are painted a very warm white. I decided to paint the marble veins a very soft gray. This is because I thought if I had too much gray. it would clash with the warm white. If I repaint my home, I might add a darker gray paint to the fireplace.
When this idea first popped into my head, I knew that it was either an incredibly genius and would save me lots of money or incredibly stupid and cost me lots of money!
I would say this faux marble fireplace is the project that I had been most scared to do. The supplies sat on the hearth for a month before I got up the nerve to go for it.
Before
Our house is 23 years old, and our fireplace was severely damaged. So damaged that I could not post pictures of it on my blog anymore, and I had to do something. The heat from the past 23 years had turned the shiny black marble into dull and burnt looking marble.
Several years ago, I placed a heavy stocking holder on the mantle, and it fell off and shattered one piece of the marble. We tried to find a piece to match, but it was so old that we could not find a matching piece, so I have tried to hide it in my photos.
I wanted white marble badly, and I knew that it would be an expensive project. I had seen where a few people have painted counter tops to look like marble and had great results. If countertops could hold up to painted faux marble, my fireplace should be able to. I could have the old black marble replaced with new white marble and spend hundreds of dollars, or I could try to paint it first and if it doesn’t work, go to plan B.
My husband is the voice of reason in my life. I told him my idea, and he didn’t shut me down. That means “go ahead, do it” to me.
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here for full disclosure policy.
Supplies
- Gripper primer (recommended by home improvement store)
- White Paint
- Grey Paint (small bottle)
- Pewter Paint (small bottle)
- Folk Art Light Gray (This is a tan color gray. Use this color if you want more of a tan color in your marble.)
- Feather
- Sea Sponge
- spray water bottle
- Polycrylic
- 3 Small Paint Rollers (I would definitely roll it so you don’t have brush strokes). One roller for paint, primer, and sealer.
Some bloggers use iridescent glitter for countertops. I did use it at first but I was not happy with the way it looked so I painted over it. You can find the glitter at an Arts and Craft store.
I purchased one square of black marble and replaced the broken tile. The best thing I did was re-grout the entire fireplace so it would look like one piece of marble. I mixed a small amount of grout that I already had and filled in the grout lines.
Painting the marble
Video below of where I used this faux marble paint technique on a laundry room backsplash that might be helpful.
Instructions
- Lightly sand the old marble with a 220 grit sanding block. Use a tack cloth or damp rag to clean up all the dust.
2. Paint three coats of Gripper to be safe.
3. Paint two coats of white paint on top of the Gripper primer. TIP: I had a piece of marble that I used as a guide.
Since I wanted my faux marble to blend with my warm white wood, I used a pure white paint, but I used warmer grays.
4. Dip the feather into the darkest gray and brushed marble looking lines going in an angle across the tiles. I made the lines cross over to the next tile so that it would look like one piece of marble.
5. Squirt water on the mark and soften the paint with the damp sea sponge.
The best thing is that you can wipe off the mark after it is wet if you do not like it. It is almost foolproof! Randomly dab the damp sponge on the paint to give it a more natural look.
Seal the paint
Use 3 coats of Polycrylic in satin to be safe.
I am so surprised how it feels like marble when you touch it, and I really think that the fireplace looks stunning now! I could not wait for my husband to get home from work, and he could not believe how great it looks. It really looks like the real deal. He drags everyone that comes over into the living area to see the faux marble fireplace, and he makes them touch it. I am so glad that this did not turn into a DIY fail!
You may also like to see how I painted a Faux Marble Backsplash in my laundry room.
Mary-the boondocks blog says
It looks gorgeous Sherry. Do you ever light the fireplace, I mean burn wood in it? I’m also in the process of redoing mine but it is made of bricks and marble on the side. I want to redo the top.
Sherry says
It is a gas fireplace and we have lit the fireplace a few times, and the faux marble looks fine.
Brenda Young says
Sherry, your faux marble fireplace looks fabulous! You did a wonderful paint job on this, wow what a difference it makes.
Sherry says
Thank you so much. I am thankful it looks better!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
Wow that looks amazing Sherry! You did a great job on it. I want to do something different to our fireplace, just not quite sure what. I don’t think the white marble would work for ours but it’s beautiful on yours.
Kathryn says
I am blown away at how fantastic it looks. Especially the way it matches your wood above. Your beautiful mirror graces the whole thing. Bravo! I would make everyone come see it, too!
Teresa says
It looks amazing! You did a great job!
Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned!
Candace says
this looks A-M-AZING! love it so much. I have been thinking about redoing my fireplace for a while and I think your post has motivated me to look back into this.
Lynn Spencer says
Sherry! What a FANTASTIC transformation! I have a piece of wood that I’ve started to paint as a trial for a piece of marble and you’ve prompted me to dig it back out and finish it.
The white marble really updates and freshens up your entire fireplace. I know you are just thrilled with yourself and your accomplishments. Truly remarkable and encouraging to the rest of use.
Well done friend!
Hugs, Lynn
Amberjane says
Wow it looks fantastic Sherry – thank you for sharing with Pin Worthy Wednesday
Hil says
I love how clean and crisp the white looks now in comparison to the black. Thanks for linking up at the #bloggerspotlight
Evija says
Absolutely love your fireplace and the faux marble looks so real!! LOVE it, definitely will try it myself. Thank you for sharing with OMHGWW, happy Easter!
Jessica says
That looks stunning! And I am still in love with that sunburst mirror that you made!
Jenny Kavanagh says
It looks so great in white! You did a fabulous job. What an improvement!
Have a wonderful Easter- Jenny
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
I am so impressed. But then, I am by all your projects! It turned out so gorgeous! I wouldn’t know if wasn’t marble! And you made it sound so easy, I’m sure that it’s not as hard as I’m making it out to be in my head! And I love the step by step pictures! Just amazing and it looks so much better with your style! Love it!
Sadhna Grover says
It is really looking nice, You made a big and fantastic change in the fireplace. Great job dear.
Katrin says
Sherry, it looks fantastic and just like marble! What an awesome idea to do this, I would have never thought of that! This is a beautiful transformation, so bright! Love it!
Sarah - Craft Invaders says
This is a fab transformation – it looks stunning!
Sherry Nappa says
Wow! What a stunning transformation. It”s beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday.
Celeste says
This is genius! I can’t believe how amazing this turned out! It looks like real marble and everything. Nicely done!
Sherry says
Thank you Celeste! I am so pleased it turned out looking exactly like marble. I think my husband was relieved!
Christine says
Wow, loving this DIY project! You did a wonderful job.
Marie says
This turned out gorgeous! I love it! Using a feather to apply the paint is genius! I would have never thought of that. Thanks so much for sharing at Merry Monday!
Denise/DIY Crush says
That’s a beautiful fireplace!! Thanks for sharing at our party! Hope to see you again this Thursday at 7pm EST.!
Laurie says
Sherry, I’m so glad you shared this post! I want to do this on my countertops – I also have been looking at the supplies for a long time. I love, love, love your fireplace! It looks stunning! Thanks for sharing with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday! Look for your feature at the next party! Pinned!
Tuula says
Your fireplace hearth turned out amazing Sherry! Thanks so much for sharing it at Vintage Charm.
Jamie @ Medium Sized Family says
This is incredible! I love the finished product. You did a great job.
Thanks for sharing at the Friday Funday Blog Hop #FFBH!
Lela says
You’ve done a great job! It is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing at Inspiration Thursday. Hope you had a great Easter weekend!
Hena Tayeb says
that looks amazing.. the faux marble is just wow!
Lori says
Sooo amazing!! I’ve painted a counter top, more like a granite finish, but this is sooo cool! Love it! You did a fantastic job! Thanks for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It!
Dawn says
Thank you for linking up your post to Friday Favorites!! Your faux marble fireplace will be featured this Friday, we’d love for you to link up again, doors open Thursday night. You totally WOWED me on this one!
Michelle Marttila - Happy Heart Made says
Beautiful job…always love the look of marble!
At Rivercrest Cottage says
fantastic makeover of your fireplace. amazing.
Cindy says
Wow! Your new “marble” fireplace looks great!!!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Erlene A says
Wow, that’s so amazing! What a huge difference. The fireplace looks so fresh and bright. Great job! Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday!
Carol says
How lovely it looks! So much like actual marble and a terrific alternative to a complete redo. Very clever, I may even try some faux marbling myself!
Emily says
This is an incredible transformation! Your fireplace looks beautiful! Thanks for linking up with Creative Spark; I chose your faux marble fireplace as one of my Features this week. Have a wonderful rest of your week!
Rachel Langer says
This looks amazing! I would be nervous to try this also but you did a FANTASTIC job!
Lynn Spencer says
I still can’t get over that you made this!!!!
Sam-Raggedy Bits says
WOW!!! What a transformation!!! Such a clever idea and cost effective! You must be so pleased with how your fireplace turned out!!
heidi says
Sherry, you did a great job. That looks beautiful!
Sherry says
Thank you Heidi! I am pleased with how it turned out.
michele says
daring, clever, and absolutely beautiful–a winning trio f you ask me! Found you via the link party, and would love to have you visit my post (http://www.hellolovelystudio.com/2017/06/5-tips-to-add-instant-curb-appeal.html) if you have a moment. Peace to you right where you are.
Carol Mitchell says
Sherry,
Fantastic job on the fireplace! Exactly what I want to do to mine. I just had a quick question…where and how did you use the light gray paint? I’m sorry it I didn’t see it in the tutorial.
Thank you.
Carol