what's your budget? If it's low you can just paint/ stain the brick and clean it up, remove the dated brass screen and sand/ paint/ stain or replace the wood mantle. If you are willing to invest more money, you can install a new 8" stone or tile surround and then build out a transitional panelled surround and mantle directly over the brick, And add a new tile/ stone over the top and sides of the hearth,

You can replace the doors You could use a screen or put in something more rustic or modern depending on the look you want. You could reface the brick to match your kitchen design. There are special cleaners to get the smoke off the brick. You might want to tackle that before you replace the carpet etc,

I'd make sure before lighting the fire place that its clean and functional unless it was inspected at your home inspection and deemed safe to use. I'd tile it and add a more substantial wooden mantel. you could put some built ins on either side for storage and display purposes. sconces to the wall for extra light in the room will give a great ambiance :) Good luck and Congrats on your HOME!! http://www.diynetwork.com/home-improvement/fireplace-makeovers-before-and-afters-from-house-crashers/pictures/page-2.html

And after you've had the chimney cleaned, you are better off using real wood to burn, rather than the logs seen on the hearth now. They tend to leave a chemical buildup in the chimney and can be a fire hazard.
I love the look of the white washed bricks I've seen on here. Painting the brass out with high heat black matte paint is easy and a fast modernizing trick. I've done it in many homes with great results. I used it with a brush though,not spray.

white wash the bricks. I have seen it done and it looks really nice. Also painting the doors is an option.

have the chimney cleaned. consider stain rather than paint for the bricks.

I would whitewash the brick and add a new insert. I had really red uniform brick and a brass insert similar to yours when I bought my house two years ago. I don't have a before picture but here is the after picture.

I can't believe all the talk about white washing brick. What a sin. If it's too new or perfect or not your style -- I can see covering or taking off and refacing with rock, tile, marble whatever is to your liking. I wish I could get the paint off the fireplace in a recently purchased home.

They make cleaners for brick fireplaces get some and some brushes and scrub off the soot. Live with it for a month and see if you like it any better, if not you can try painting it with chalk paint (or a paint made for brick) ....Take the brass cover outside, sand it lightly, wide it down, then spray paint it with a paint made for high temperatures (like grill paint).

I would reface the brick with new stone...there is no need to take the old brick off just cover it with a slab of your preferred stone. This will allow you to use your wood mantle.

Congratulations on the new house! Everyone here has come up with great suggestions, and repainting is a very valuable option. I would love to see a new stone or tile treatment in something sleek with clean lines to set off that gorgeous wood mantle.

Brick Anew is a product that is painted on in stages so there is some depth to the look. Goggle Brick Anew for the product. Using high heat spray paint on the brass is very easy and completely changes and updates the look with very little cost.

Remove the doors...keep open or if need them...spray with black heat resistant spray paint...paint the brick a creamy white with masonry stain. Stain the mantel with poly paint a dark mahogany stain....and done.

Since you just bought the house and I'm sure there are so many things you want to do I would wait to do anything permanent or expensive until you know exactly how you want to decorate the space. I have a log cabin and the fireplace and stone facade is very plain and ugly. I have taken steps to make it pretty until I am ready to do an overhaul. The fireplace had a brass door and I sprayed it with black heat resistant spray paint recommended by the fireplace store near me. They also recommended a great glass cleaner, the name escapes me but they said the key to removing the soot is using newspaper until the worst is gone then final step I use mrs Meyers glass cleaner.
Then I bought this tool set and drilled into the mortar: http://m.cb2.com/3-piece-bend-wall-mounted-fireplace-tool-set/s686298
Final step is I put an old basket with pine cones.
These steps allowed me to hold off 5 years without doing the drastic modern overhaul I wanted to do.
Good luck!

Thanks for the comments everyone! @Tiffany Bourret-Meisner Great tip with the spray paint. I think I will take that as my first step as well. The picture of yours really helps. Send me another picture if you decide to whitewash!
@bufuqua What does a stained brick fireplace look like? I haven't come across that suggestion before?
@bh0952 I like your brick fireplace! Did you replace the insert yourself? Was it easy to do? You suggested whitewashing. Did you do that to yours after you took the posted photo?
@Lynne Morse Yeah, I'm on the fence about the whitewashing. I like what I've seen in pictures, but know that it can't be undone. And honestly, I do like a nice brick... I love the brick I've seen in photos like this: Just don't know if it's possible to get that type of effect with my fireplace.
@dmil345 Brick Anew...thanks, I'll look into that.
@luckylady0310 Yes...this project is on the DIY list not on the major reno list. Since it was such a big factor in the purchase I wanted to make sure it was considered in the design process. As I decide what I'd like to do with the kitchen I'd like to think about what will happen with the fireplace now and in the future. You've given great tips. I'd love to see a photo of what you've done.

I will be able to take pictures this weekend and will post it for you to see.

Are you going you burn wood in the fireplace on a regular basis or do you want to convert it to gas? You can clean the smoke stains with special cleaners and maybe even try a wire wheel very gently. Yes you can use high temp flat black spray on paint to cover up the outdated brass. Just make sure you remove all grease/oil after you give it a good sanding. If you are burning wood on a regular basis you will always have to clean the interior of the glass- no getting around that. We just use a wide Razor blade (mounted on a handle) and the hubby has some other special glass cleaner but I don't know the name. Not so sure about how to get a better non-uniform color of the brick?

Hi Erin, I actually bought the new black doors and had them installed. The whitewash is very subtle. I diluted white paint with water and put on with a rag. I tried it on a few loose bricks before I committed.

Thanks everyone going to the store today to see if I can get something that will clean the smoke off of the brick and will check out the paint for the brass insert or see if they sell new inserts that will work!