@akamainegrower - Thank you for you comments. I love the brick style, and very much want to avoid paint if there are other approaches to bring this back to a reasonable state - which is why I am looking for any and all advice here on this forum. While it shows its age in its current state, I do want it to look at least a tad bit better.

The keystone bricks at the top of the arch and some bricks to the left and right of the opening partially shown in the photo seem to be newer replacements or repairs. Deliberately dirtying these so they blend in with the whole is the opposite of what you've been trying to do, but would very likely improve the overall look of the fireplace. Bricks and mortar (grout is a different thing entirely) are porous. Over time stains from smoke and soot penetrate deeply into both. Trying to remove such stains with anything short of sand blasting is really not practical. Believe me, I am definitely not advocating anything as radical as sand blasting. Any sort of abrasive cleaning removes the hard surface that has developed over the years and protects the brick.

Hard to say for sure without seeing the entire room, but I think a whitewash or lightening of some sort could be really nice.

I like the old used look, that is a beautiful fireplace - the small bit I can see. Are you trying to clean the inside? The only thing I can think of is to sandblast. Chemicals are not a good idea if you plan to use the fireplace.

I wrestled with that same question for almost 10 years. We recently had the fireplace re done with cultured stone. I've attached a before and after picture.

There are other stones that would work nicely in an older home. If you want to keep the brick, i might suggest calling in a brick mason, they may have some better ideas.

I think the exterior brick looks old, and it's fine. I like it. The interior brick could maybe be painted with fireplace paint to make it less dirty looking?

Something is wrong in this picture, please post another pic showing the total unit.

Nothing cleans masonry like high pressure steam, but I haven't tried using it inside before. Also, have you looked at cast iron fireplace covers? They could fill up that hole nicely, hide the interior soot, and look very good. You could even look at an entire english style insert if you don't want to burn logs on an open hearth.

@linda117117 - The cultured stone that you used for your fireplace - did it go on top of the brick or the brick removed and replaced with the cultured stone? I am trying to figure out if this can be a DIY project or needs the professional

All - for some reason I was not receiving email alerts on the new comments posted since Feb, so pleasantly surprised by all the advice. Thanks again

Deepu it went right over the brick and is designed to be used by a homeowner, however we had a mason do it. There are some tricks of the trade that just look better when a professional does it and the corners would have been a challenge.

I'd do nothing at all. As someone said above you have a charming and interesting fireplace in an old house. At least in my circle of old house lovers, we would strongly advocate you keeping it as it is. That assumes it is original to the house and fits its style. Especially do NOT paint it or you will destroy it. Clean the brick as best you can and get an attractive firescreen. For more advice you might want to post this on the Old House Forum, full of old house lovers!

It is beautiful, as is! I wouldn't want it to look 'new'. I understand that is not what you are aiming for but it has aged as it should.

Please DO NOT cover over that gorgeous old brick with cultured stone. Old home have character and you need to respect that character and replacing it with fake stone is not the way. I can see doing what linda did to a non descript house from the 70's -90's but not one from the turn of the last century.

Painting it or covering it over with fake stone is like seeing a 90 year old woman who's had too many face lifts. You know that something is very wrong.

Hello from the other side of the Bay. The smoky brick is part of the house's history; I'd leave it and enjoy it.