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decoenthusiaste Get what you love and ask the source for a product to keep it clean.

Roots and Rafters The marble will definitely stain from the soot if you're not careful about keeping it clean -- but if you clean it regularly, it shouldn't be an issue. Vitreous tile might be a better idea, as it's easier to clean without scratching, but it doesn't have the same look as marble, of course.

One thing to consider is that a light fireplace surround will show up the dark, sooty brick on the back of the firebox more than the current dark surround does -- due to the visual contrast of light on dark.

If you have a good draft in your fireplace and get your chimney swept regularly the soot build-up might not be as much as you think -- but it would be a good idea to give the surround a wipe-down each time you light a fire, regardless of what material you choose.

COASTROAD Hearth & Patio I'm conflicted, here, as I imagine you are. I prefer dark fireplace surrounds, but if you are leaning toward something light, there are some nice light granites that are less likely to scratch or stain than Carrara marble. But white marble looks so classic, I'm hard-pressed to suggest anything else but white marble.

With that traditional mantel, I'd prefer to see something with veins, but there aren't any light granites that I can think of that have much of a vein. If you go for a darker color, I like how titanium granite looks, but it can be pretty busy.

In any case, I'd recommend spraying the brick inside the fireplace with fireplace paint to clean it up and made your new surround look sharp.

Agrestal Designs Hi, I make a "metal" concrete tile that is great for fireplace surrounds because its dark and bold and naturally rustic. Just a thought. No harm here if it's not your style. Otherwise, a black granite, like Absolute Black maybe even honed to knock the shine down a little would give you a dark, soft surround and weather the soot.

Bdesign I would go with your idea for the carrara marble it is a lovely material and will not stain. I personally have a marble mantle and surround at my house and I have had it for a good ten years and the soot has not stained it

mdiscipio just out of curiousity - did you go with a honed finish? that is what I was considering but wasnt sure if it would result in greater staining

Bdesign No I did not opt for a honed finish it is a smooth finish. Honing is a newer finish which I like very much but I don't know whether it would be tougher to clean because of the soot.