We have an old fireplace that we'd like to put back into use. We've found a surround big enough, and currently looking for fire basket etc.

But what to do to the inside? Can it be left as plaster, or can I tile over the plaster? Do you need special tiles for fireplaces or can any tiles be used (ceramic).

I was told by the chap that plastered the room (not the fireplace that was already done) that the plaster might crack under the heat and fall off, and to put some fireproof plasterboard over whats there, then tile over that.

Concrete floor, again just tile over the top? I know you can get heatproof tile cement and caulk, just don't know about the other stuff.

Seems it has been used at some point as there is soot marks on the plaster at the back (which only goes up level with the front hole), but not for a few good years.

Opinions please?