Well, first of all, you can have the stone cleaned. You could also modernize the fireplace quite a bit by simply replacing the mantle top slab with wood.

You could also have the mortar recolored to look fresh if you want.

You could also reface the entire fireplace for not that much. Replace the hearth slab with granite, screw cement board over all the stone, and face it with tile + that wood mantle top. Bam. Super modern.

You could also face it over with a wood facade.

Painting stone though? Do people do it? Yes. Have I ever thought it looked good? No. It looks like a band aid to me, every time. I never recommend it. There are other options.

Consider staining the stone a deep charcoal gray and painting the surrounding walls to match. See Romabio for custom colors of stain for stone or brick. Upgrade the mantel and hang a beautiful piece of art above it.

Thanks all for the help! That‘s the primer in the walls right now. So yes will try that. Going to try cleaning it this weekend as well. Looking into toppers too.

thank you!

Get all of your furnishings, rugs and artwork in first. Then re-evaluate.

You can put a new mantle over the existing one without removing it. Google slipcover mantle for instructions and examples.