At the very least, it needs a major cleaning.

Yes, you will never regret it.

Yes it absolutely needs cleaning but it needs more than that.

We did! Very glad we did, too. :)

If you do a search, you can probably find my thread/post with before after pics.

To me, that is a seriously cool fireplace. I'm so curious about the rest of the room/house! Yes, it needs cleaning, and maybe a soapstone or slate hearth, and sconces changed out for something with more presence to balance. But dull? Nuh-uh! You can COOK in it! It's got a shelf for wood! I love it so much. If you want to paint it, well, lots of people do that, and it looks good. But, honestly, it's not that much brick, and I think the color and variation in the brick is pretty nice. Other changes would make more of an impact and keep the charm and interest of what is there.

Yes, a Larger manual surround sounds like a good idea. What would you do with the brick?

Do you plan to continue using the fireplace?

Why would you want to remuddle that fireplace?

That's a historic fireplace and if you paint it, you'll be lowering the value to someone who appreciates historic properties. Clean the brick and do nothing else! Unless you want to take less for the house when it's time to sell.

We do use the fireplace occasionally. We have three in the house. We have had it cleaned

in the last few years.. Will a chimney person clean brick in the firebox and hearth?

Such a cute space. I think that fireplace would look fabulous painted. It would give it new life in my opinion.

Since you use the fireplace, I’d paint the interior black because it’s never going to look clean.

I think I will try to find someone to professionally clean it and yes I agree that it will never going to look clean and that’s what bothers me.

Like I said, paint the interior black.

I'm not sure, but isn't it a no-no to paint the interior of a fireplace as has been suggested? Fire vs. paint seems dangerous to me. I love painted brick, but in the case of your fireplace and its charm, I think cleaning it is the best option. Cleaning the interior as well will help, but you can minimize its appearance by adding a fire screen to the front.

Those photos of white painted fireplaces make me sad.

Aside from cleaning, it's hard to say what else it needs without seeing more of the room.

I would first clean the entire fireplace then paint the interior black. See if you like it as is. Also get something on that mantel it needs to be larger than those candlesticks. Maybe stack wood all the way to the top to give it a symmetrical look.

To me, it's cool and not dull in the least. all that it needs is cleaning-and bigger art you love. i see oil painting or something like that, but that will depend on your preferences of course

there is special paint graded for fireplaces-I still wouldn't paint it in this case because of how open it is. I'd accept that with use, soot etc come, and you clean it once in while.

Maybe to find some cool screen, movable one, that will partially cover the opening? If it'll help you not to think about how dirty it is, etc., all the time. Has to be a good one though.

i've serious fireplace envy, actually, looking at yours. I would love to see your place-if that fireplace belongs, and it looks like it does-it must be one cool house.

If the soot is what mainly bothers you, apparently there are professional services that remove soot and fire damage with dry ice? You might look into that, if you have already tried other cleaning solutions (tsp, etc.) and they haven't worked for you.

That fireplace doesn't need paint, it needs a cauldron.

Get it cleaned, and if the totally good and acceptable "operational fireplace" soot buildup look bothers you, you might try "painting" the firebox with a soot wash (like limewash but with soot) to preemptively and evenly blacken the whole inside without permanently damaging it with paint.

I think the real issue is the pallid painted paneling around the fireplace.

Your home is beautiful! I would love to have that yard.

We have a cauldron it’s in the oven.

A beautiful oil painting would be awesome. I do have a few smaller ones on the other side of the room.

Wait you actually have a cauldron and you're NOT hanging it in your fireplace??

Yesssss! Is it Griswold? I have one just like it except I don't have a fireplace big enough for a cauldron hook.

A seriously awesome fireplace. It just needs a fire screen - the problem is your eye goes right to the back of the firebox. I would get a custom made fire screen sized to the opening of the firebox and in a style appropriate to the architecture of your home. Please don’t paint the facade and really, really please don’t paint the interior. I second (or third?) the idea of an oil painting above. I’m going to stagger away now, filled with fireplace envy.

What your fireplace needs, actually, is a fireback. A piece of cast iron that rests against the fire wall and will reflect heat forward. Preferably one with your family’s coat of arms!

A screen will go a long way to hiding the messy ashes, and keep the hearth clean. If you put slate or stone on the hearth, it can still have some ashes pop out on it and it will look fine, not like the brick looks now.

OMG. Everything about your house is fabulous. What is the age of your house?

Those photos of white painted fireplaces make me sad.

Me too.

so, whats up with the stuff above that gorgeous fireplace. I love your fireplace. please, please, don't paint.
show us some other photos of the home,? we'd love to help.