Abstract: A coated article suitable for use at elevated temperature is formed of a substrate made from metal or a ceramic, a diffuse reflective barrier coating overlying the substrate, and a low-emissivity top coat covering the diffuse reflective barrier coating. The diffuse reflective barrier coating includes a transmissive medium having a transmissive-medium index of refraction, and a plurality of radiation-scattering centers distributed in the transmissive medium, the radiation-scattering centers having a scattering-center index of refraction different from the transmissive-medium index of refraction. The radiation scattering centers may be voids or second ceramic particles. The diffuse reflective barrier coating has a surface roughness of less than about 150 microinches RMS.