what don't you like about your fireplace?

Also, you should post pictures of the rest of the room, so people have an idea of what the surrounding decor looks like (unless you want to change the entire room).

I would get rid of the brass either with a new insert or if not in your budget painting it black with paint made for fireplaces. Change the tiles either to bigger tiles in a more pronounced colour or add some cultured stones from floor to underside of the trim under your railing. I would remove that trim or paint it the same colour as the walls. You have too many things on top of your fireplace, you need one large piece of artwork. Remove the table on the right of the fireplace it is taking away from the fireplace.

Got any input on how to paint a brass fireplace insert? I'd love to change mine to black, not sure what kind of paint to use...

Use heat resistant spray paint

Gram210: In this photo, the designer in this photo, used copper metallic paint.

You'll need to tape off the area and apply primer and paint made to adhere to metal. I've read good things about a paint company called Modern Masters, but for plain black on metal...you could ask at a local paint store.