I cleaned my sooty brick with Quick n Brite. It made a big difference but it was a big job and did make a giant mess but once it was done it looked so much better. I have the before and after photos somewhere! Check their website they have instructions for it. I know i used a stiff scrub brush and lots of rinsing. Just cover everything nearby because the scrubbing causes lots of 'over spray'. Its also non-toxic which is great. ps. Once you try Quick n Brite you'll use it for EVERYTHING.

We're having a new fireplace surround (traditional mantle with fluted legs) and brick installed over our existing prefab fireplace. The brick will only be inside the legs and under the mantle (nothing up the wall on top of the mantle) and flat on the hearth. The surround is being bult to look like it was built on top of (laid over) the bricks, so it projects out from them somewhat. Additionally, there will be a hole in the brick face to put the gas key in. Should the brickwork be done first? Or should the mantle surround be installed first?

If you can tolerate the paint remaing in the pits of the surface you can remove it. Latex can usually be removed with a scrub brush and TSP, 409, or even Spic and Span. Oil based paint is harder to remove and will usually require paint stripper (and this may alter the brick color). Pressure washing and sand blasting are pretty much non-starters in the finished areas of a house. Do not use any brushes with plain steel bristles. It can embed in the brick surface and cause rust stains to appear later. A couple layers of 6 mil plastic and canvas drop cloths on top of the plastic will help protect the floor. It is hard messy work. You can always give it a try and if you find it to difficult or do not like the results just apply another coat of paint.

My opinion would be to stick with the character of the rest of your house. If you have Coastal and Craftsman features, don't go too Contemporary or Formal. Both examples that you have posted. ;) Besides the siding on the outside of your home, do you have any hard surfaces, like brick or stone? If so, match those instead of bringing in a third element. We recently built an outdoor area for our home. I had my heart set on a stone fireplace, but the house is brick and stucco with a wooden screened porch. The more that I thought about it, the more I decided that bringing in another element was too much. Matching brick would be the way to go. I am so happy with my choice. We also have columns that mirror the columns on the inside of the house and painted to match the screened porch trim and stucco accents. A cedar wood pergola is stained to match the darker taupe of the majority of the stucco. All colors blend in with the brick. If your house is all siding, then I would go with the stone. for inside and out. I believe that the plaster both outside and in, as shown in photos 2 and 3, would be too contemporary and formal for your home. I like the interior stone and wood trim photo that you posted with the hearth, but sadly, you do not have room for that set up. Another opinion...I'd take down the knee walls. You don't need them for a division. The one between the window is taking up valuable wall space. You can create a natural division between the dining and living space with your furniture. I know from experience. We put a built-in in our living room, and I wanted it to have some character, so the middle section sticks out about 10 inches beyond to side sections. That middle section has become a thorn in my side and prevented a couple of different seating configurations that I would have much preferred in that room. The bump-out gets in the way. I think that your knee walls will narrow your walking space, getting around furniture, such as a sofa. Again, just my opinion.