Why isn't repainting it an option? Do you mean you just want to replace it?

Repainting would be a very fast and easy fix, but OK. It can be skim-coated, tiled, given a wood face, a mantel, OR replaced with a corner fireplace, since you already have venting. There are also gas insert options, not only wood-look but glass and crystal. It really depends upon your budget and style.

The mid century modern look of this tells me more about your place than you think . . assuming the blue green walls and white trim are yours, the fastest fix is a simple gray paint job - at least do this for your sanity while you devise the long term plan . bm puritan gray is the shade that would do a quick beautification http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/rooms-by-color/serene-gray-hideaway

Consider large format real stone tile . . a pale off white limestone or even seagrass limestone in a 1 x 2 or 2 x 4 format set horizontally would be amazing. The black hearth and surround are pretty standard - if that is a stone hearth, work with it - or pull it out and replace with a solid slab matching your stone cladding choice.

Since you probably can't personally do anyting other than painting, which it sounds like you don't want to do, I woud search for pictures of fireplaces you love and then get quotes on these options from a few difference sources. If it's not already a gas fireplace, that may be something you could get a quote on as well. My sister brougnt in a few companies and it's amazing how they varied and also the ideas that they offered.

There are so many things you could do to resurface this fireplace that the decision can only be based on what you want the room as a whole to be. Have you thought that through?

Look, in particular, at the first two pix in your fireplace ideabook. Both finishes would work beautifully if the rest of the room is playing along with the style.

repainting isnt ideal. because its already painting, we'd have to have the current paint "scraped" off; it may still not remove it completely. we were also told thats very labor-intensive and will create a ton of dust, & we currently live in the home.
we were tolds its wood-burning, but have never used it. I need to get the fireplace done, then refinish the floors & decorate the room. but I cant get any contractors to even look at it!

this is a small family room.

i think its sort of fun..... i wish you could love and embrace it, it would be quite the room.

I would use modular tile that looks like it's button tufted leave the hearth black.

paint the whole thing. get an expert opinion before ruling it off.

Painting may create a little dust during the prep phase. You don't have to scrape off the old paint, just rough it up.

But any of the other options -- refacing, removing, etc. -- create a bigger mess for a longer time and are more expensive.

leave it!

Marisol, this can be painted very easily, just make sure to use a Masonry Bonding Primer. Lightly and quickly, scrape off any large lifted areas. Then use the masonry bonding primer. Top coat any color you wish.

we were told by 2 painting contractors that only natural brick can be painted well. they said once you paint the bricks, you must scrape every brick & within each crevice, which is extremely difficult.

Hello Marisol. I recently encountered this issue with a client of mine in Northern NJ. My team and I installed beautiful, Italian porcelain tile on their fireplace "surround", very much like the tile in one of the pics in your Ideabook (rectangular, neutral gray tile). With all due respect to the trades found in my profession, consulting an experienced designer will provide you with more unbiased answers.

The best of luck to you!
~LMD

What will happen if you paint over the paint? Did they say it would flake off? I'd just keep a bit of the original paint and touch it up if that did happen.

Honestly I think some contractors are afraid to tell you that something will work, in case some little thing goes wrong in the future.

The worst that could happen here is that you'd need to look into some re-tiling and re-surfacing solution in the future.

You might consider stainless steel cladding on the fireplace, for an updated look.
If you go in that direction, remove the crown moulding, which is inconsistent with the style.
S*

I think you could make the yellow brick work for you, depending on the furnishings you use in there. Do you have existing furniture or are you planning on starting from scratch? Yellow accessories can go a long way. Something to consider.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>Now that is YELLOW!

Repaint!!!! it's already painted, and painting is the cleanest, easiest, cheapest thing you can do. Then your eyes AND brain will stop hurting and you will be able to take the time to research the multitude of choices available to you for this project!

Wrong. We had the exterior of our brick home painted different colors at least 4 times over 30 year period and the painters never had to rough up the surface. They just painted it the color we choose and it never peeled off. We also painted the fireplace surround inside our home. No problems there either.

You can definitely paint over painted brick. Been there, done that. I recommend that you prime it first. This is really not all that big a dyi project.

that yellow is such an eyesore. people always comment about it when they come over!
Based on some of these comments, I think we'll try the primer and repaint one brick to see how it turns out.

You can paint over painted brick. I live in a 90 year old brick home that has been painted many times and it looks great.

I did not see one person that mentioned texturing the surface and there are many to choose from. The cheapest and quickest would be painting. Do not believe those that tell you it will not work. Also if you paint it a color you do not like paint it again. It could not take you too long after it has been painted and all the little holes pick up paint. Also there are faux finishers that can do awesome things to that. Your budget should dictate, as you may not live there forever.

You will make a striking corner fireplace after you paint. Just get sample paint cans to paint on poster board first to save you time & redoing it. Please post after photos when done. We would all love to see it. Have fun.

I had no problem using cabot's solid stain on my brick. Might take two coats, but they have some beautiful modern colors.

If you aren't going to repaint, which would be a really easy fix, retile it or drywall it.

i love it. i would embrace the color and decorate accordingly

yellow gray and black decor is "IN" , i sure hope you grow to love it.

Prime then paint it white. Please update pic with what ever you do. I would love to see how it turns out.

The most disturbing thing is the contrast between the bricks and the mortar. Paint it all.

I would build a facade possibly made of teak or another type of tile (glass tile)... And have glass doors made for the opening. Possibly a frosted green glass... When closed while a fire is going it will create a super cool glow of color.. And when open the contrast from the cool glass to the hot sharp fire is going to create a look that will wow you and your guests. This fire place was designed with mostly form in mind... So continue with it(form). You'll give everything purpose by designing and doing it on purpose.. Form and function are just ways of describing your purpose.

Wow, Grover---I love your first pic! Okay, so I vote for painting the back the same color as the walls.

Oops! Brick, not back.

@groversxel amazing solution!

I think you are just misinformed here. Why can't it be painted? Simply scrape off anything that is loose and prime and paint. You don't need masonry primer because it already has paint on it and you aren't covering bare masonry.

Call a painter or get a gallon and go at it. Kind of silly as if it doesn't come out good well you can just go ahead with replacing. I couldn't imagine not thinking that would be more dusty?