This question gets asked a lot. Here are some good sites for instructions and visual ideas. Feel free to add your favorites.
how to:
Surround: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20243084,00.html
Hearth: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20161684,00.html
(broken link removed to http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Apply-Tile-Around-a-Fireplace-249784212)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoJKieFgPmk
stone veneer over brick: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20323592,00.html
ideas:
http://www.craftsmanhome.com/home-design/fireplace.html
http://www.ehow.com/list_6540124_tile-fireplace-surround-ideas.html
(broken link removed to http://www.gascoals.net/Accessories/EnglishTiles/FireplaceTileIdeas/tabid/1102/Default.aspx)
(broken link removed)
(broken link removed to http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20162959,00.html)
unusual tile sources:
http://www.traditional-building.com/tbdb254.htm
http://www.tileshowcase.com/ceramic/motawi/
http://www.europamericantile.com/fireplacetile.html
Great tiling forum:
http://www.johnbridge.com
how to:
Surround: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20243084,00.html
Hearth: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20161684,00.html
(broken link removed to http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Apply-Tile-Around-a-Fireplace-249784212)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoJKieFgPmk
stone veneer over brick: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20323592,00.html
ideas:
http://www.craftsmanhome.com/home-design/fireplace.html
http://www.ehow.com/list_6540124_tile-fireplace-surround-ideas.html
(broken link removed to http://www.gascoals.net/Accessories/EnglishTiles/FireplaceTileIdeas/tabid/1102/Default.aspx)
(broken link removed)
(broken link removed to http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20162959,00.html)
unusual tile sources:
http://www.traditional-building.com/tbdb254.htm
http://www.tileshowcase.com/ceramic/motawi/
http://www.europamericantile.com/fireplacetile.html
Great tiling forum:
http://www.johnbridge.com