Do not paint the wood EVER. Try getting a more modern set of doors see where that takes you first. Heck I see you have candles. Take the door off--one firm yank will do it...clean the fire box, install a mirror in the back of the fire box. I did that for years...didn't want the mess of a fire in the living room. Your brick does need something but I would hesitate to paint..there's no going back from there.

Yes, definitely want to rip the gold and glass cover but I’m afraid of leaving it open.

You can paint the gold doors :)

paint the brick and paint the gold fireplace surround. leave the wood. not a huge deal

Plenty of DIY's online on how to paint the grill (use the high heat spray paint) and how to paint the brick. carefully tape off all of the wood trim, apply a primer for brick, then paint. use a matte or satin paint finish)

use a good brick product like Romabio. they have masonry paint, or this lime wash. for more coverage, use the masonry paint. they can tint it to any color. for a wash effect, use this one:

you could also upgrade it to real craftsman tiles (in some of the craftsman homes they just used brick to save money)

This peacock blue is stunning w/all the wood.

I saw this one brick fireplace brick that was painted an indigo color. it would be beautiful w/your wood trim. (and if you don't like it, you can always go over it with white)

you could even try painting the brick a sage/gray color. just to see.

Awesome. Thank you so much!!

I’m with the first Houzz poster. Do not paint anything! It is craftsman and goes with the rest of the house. First start with cleaning the wood. Then clean the brick. Google how to do it. Brass is a big trend right now. Go with that. Houzz has thousands of images to inspire you. I’m sorry this is not what you want to hear. If you make a mess of it you will have to rip it out and spend a lot of money fixing your mistake. It could reduce the value of the house. If you don’t love your Craftsman house, sell it and move to something newer. Then this beautiful Craftman will belong to a person who will love it for what it is. I do not like being so negative. Live with it and love her for what she is: a beautiful old Craftsman fireplace

There is a home improvement show called Rehab Addict. She restores the old elements and then adds modern and contemporary furnishings to old homes. It is a nice way to have the best of old and new. Look it up online

Thank you Beth!!!! 😊😊😊

Why are you afraid of leaving the doors open. If you are not using it, close the flue. You can also put plants in it.

@Linda Thomas not sure if it would let too much cold air in during the really cold months even if the flue is closed. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Do not pain brick or wood work. These true craftsman details. Once c painted it is very very difficult to bring back to this original state. The brass fire “screen” is the distraction. Either paint it black or remove it. Give the brick, woodwork & fire box a very good cleaning & enjoy. These should be treasured details.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/craftsman-living-room-with-a-brick-fireplace-ideas-phbr2-bp~t_718~s_2116~a_49-376

nancy, take a look at these pics. some are painted brick.

BTW, reading a page in Stuckeys book about building craftsman brick fireplaces, the total cost (for brick, labor and the flue) came to $65. lol

Tiles didn't come about until 1915 or so. is your home older than that? I really have never seen that style brick (with the grooves) in a craftsman. they were popular in the mcm era.

(in either case, I think they would look 10X better painted. hell, seal the bricks if you like and the next person who comes along can strip off the paint if they want to!) But it's not nice looking brick.

This one is

if you have the money, get it redone like this, with replica Arts/crafts tiles.

Like the ceramics tiles if you want color...but i would suggest more pics to show the surrounding areas...it is easier to suggest options when the whole picture is available

Beth!! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond with pictures. I really appreciate your input. I wish I knew what was here originally. The house was built in 1923. At this point, I’m trying to spruce up the house as I want to sell it. Don’t really want to spend too much or make too many changes.

oh, well if you want to sell it, then I'd leave it as is. let the new owners deal with it.

make it look as clean and decluttered as possible, bring in nice lighting (when you have open house) and be done with it.

Maybe just a clear finish so they dont look so dull..

A lot of posts here I did not read. I think it best to see it. I suggest painting it in a charcoal type flat finish. Change the door to something more Craftsman style. Here are two examples:

Bricks in a Charcoal finish. Shown with a Craftsman Style Fireplace Door

Bricks painted white

Oh wow!!! Thank you so much!! It’s great to actually SEE it! 👌

Which do you like best, white or charcoal?

How about the doors?

nice job. I like the black and the new doors.

I like the charcoal with the black doors. Looks great!

If you like the doors, that's what I do for a living.

Tiling the brick would be consistent with Craftsman style.

If you’re going to sell the house, I would leave the fireplace as is. Don’t mess it up for someone else.

Yesterday Houzz posted an article with Craftsman kitchens. They are amazing. On a second look the brick is kind of ugly. But the woodwork and built in with pretty glass are keepers. I think you should tile over the brick. Get a tile guy to give you an evaluation. Depending on your tile choice you can make a decision about screen. Yesterday’s article have some beautiful tiles. Getting a professional to do the job will be the best money you have ever spent

Would not paint the brick or wood.

A thorough cleaning of the brick to remove any soot might lighten it.

You might consider swapping out the brass for a much wider silver colored -- (aluminum or stainless steel --piece.

http://www.moderustic.com/Fireplace-Surrounds.html