We are moving into a new home that has a great fireplace but so much oak in the surround. The floors are new so changing those out isn't an option. The current owners have a very outdated style so getting all of their "decorations" out will help. I thought adding airstone would be an option to the part below the main mantle but I'm not sure that would work with all the ridges. My initial thoughts are paint white. I'd need to add splashes of color because the walls are pretty light. I could paint the walls, but other then those two small walls showing next to the surround the wall to the (photo) right runs continuously through the rest of the main floor = a lot of painting. There is the small wall on the (photo) left that could be painted but I feel like the room would look lopsided. The gold on the fireplace will definitely be painted black. Help!!