Painting a brick fireplace?

[SeanPencil]

We are the proud owners of the World's Ugliest Fireplace. It is red brick inside and out, with the same red brick forming the hearth. The bricks are black inside from soot, and the outside ones forming the surround are a bit faded, plus there is a crack in the cement on the hearth.

I'm thinking I'd like to paint the whole thing, is it difficult? I'm guessing it's messy. I was thinking of doing the inside black and the outside a v pale grey or neutral eg F&B Skimming Stone.

Could you update by installing a metal interior and a new surround (eg tile) over the existing brick? Lots of ideas/examples on Houzz and Pinterest (including some grey painted ones OP!)

Blimey Rumpy, that's a belter, I think you may be the winner.

My charmer is on a chimney breast, with an alcove to each side. We will be redecorating, and I was thinking a strong colour on that wall or even just on the chimney breast might help, I was thinking maybe F&B Hague Blue.

I love the industrial mid century thing, so it's not that I'm trying to turn it into something glossy. It's also not a period house, which makes it more challenging. I just think it's weird to have what looks like a dirty outdoor pizza oven in your kitchen!

Would it be improved if I painted out the inside with that black firebrick paint, or should we embrace the rustic?