Have it cleaned before painting it. If you paint it, you're going to have to regularly repaint it just like a room. I would put a nice dark wood mantle about 8" above the gold piece on the screen.

Just leave it the way it is. Get a new front lid for the fire place, something modern, then decorate everything else taking into account the rustic, bold and natural feel of the fire place stones. If I were you I'd make the fire place hole bigger. Paint the light baige walls white or add some wall covering effect, may i suggest Venetian Plaster ( own reference, sorry ) (laugh) ... And do NOT whatever you do, put carpet in that place, mid light hard wood floors...

Nooo, dont paint it- people spend tons of money getting what you already have! Make it shine and stand out by adding some modern elements for the sake of a nice contrast! Anyhow- good luck, and I hope you figure out a eyecandy-solution:)

I wouldn't paint it. I would however, paint the ceiling the same light color as the wall and the trim around the stone a slightly darker shade of the same paint color rather than the dark color you now have.

I think adding a mantle to the fireplace is a great idea, and put a great piece of artwork above it. Also, can you change the color of the trim around the fireplace to a lighter color? I think the dark color makes it look too framed. Good luck.

Karielen the ceiling are pop corn ceilings, airbrush painters would charge you more then any painter, plus it's a small space, it's a do it yourself simple task, white gives amplitude to any space, not to mention contrast to the fire place, right?...

It would take an amateur painter no longer then 3 days to prime and paint this place.

Can't speak to the painting issues although I do think that applying Venetian plaster would create the same situation as popcorn ceilings re: paint if that's what they have. Do think at the least if they do keep the fireplace as is, painting the trim a lighter color might be something to consider.

I would just clean up the stone and add a distressed beam shelf

Regarding popcorn stucco ceilings: Many have asbestos in them. Professionals usually recommend testing a sample before proceeding with removal, whether you do it yourself or have it done professionally.

A much easier option is to cover up and seal in the stucco with stretch ceiling. Stretch ceiling is a tough, thin, flexible membrane that is supported around all the edges by profiles, or tracks. It's fully recyclable, and removal, should you ever wish to do it, would only mean filling in some screw holes, which is a lot easier than removing stucco!

The loss of ceiling height with stretch ceiling is less than one inch, so we could cover up the beams if you choose, or we could install sections of stretch ceiling between the beams so that they still show.

We carry over 280 colours and 5 textures, including a translucent version that can be installed with LED lighting in behind. The membrane can also be digitally printed with any high resolution image to create a ceiling mural.

My opinion on the fireplace stones is that they are rustic and natural, two things that are very desirable right now, but they aren't harmonizing with the rest of the room because there's too much contrast between the fireplace and walls. I recommend both walls and ceiling in more earthy colours, perhaps something greyish to tie in the carpet, and definitely lighten up or remove the trim around the stones, as well as the beams.

Here are some examples of our stretch ceiling installations. Please feel free to add from our projects to your ideabooks!

Karielen, they aren't talking about the ceiling, and how would Venetian plaster create the same situation?. Sorry I just don't follow. However, I do agree with you on the trim touch up portion of your comment.

They asked if they can get help on possibly painting and, or, remodeling the fireplace. That's all

This is a great link to show how to paint a fireplace! Good luck, post pictures!! http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/how-to-paint-a-brick-fireplace

I would not paint. Not sure if there is a brown trim around the fireplace, but that has to go or at least be painted out to match the walls. I would put a new fireplace insert - if that's not in the budget, you can use a heat resistant spray paint to cover the gold finish to make all black. Adding a black iron fire place screen/ gate is a budget friendly way to update (but for sure spray out gold too). Wood mantel would be nice (again dependent on budget) Another way to tone down all that stone, is to cover the top landing part -
where you can sit) with solid stone. Edit: click to enlarge photo so you can see the landing part with the solid stone.