Modernising a fireplace surround - tips before I ruin it!

[MollieTD]

I’m desperate to open up the fireplace in this room but quotes suggest that’s not an option right now - so in the meantime, I want it to look a little less 1992!!
I’m considering painting either just the surround or the surround and the wall a forest green or navy. Does anyone know if it’s possible to removed the urn and flowers decoration on the surround and smooth it out? How would I do it? Any ideas welcome!

I assume it's glued on. Very firmly.
Use a Stanley knife to cut thru the paint around the edge, then try and chisel it off.
Be prepared for a lot of repairing

Thank you! Do you reckon I could just sand it down after that then? Can’t wait to give it a go…

Yes they should come off-I managed to slide a knife under mine and levered them off.

Fill the holes, sand, prime & paint.

I was about to throw mine away & mentioned in passing to a friend who told me what to do. Also managed to paint the 1999 marble to a more modern concrete grey stone effect .

@Lookingformymarbles Brilliant, thank you - glad to know it can be done! Just started mat leave, excited about all the small projects I can get cracking on with very slowly between constant feeds----