Decorating and Design - Fireplace Help

We have a red brick fireplace in the corner of our livingroom. It is old and dull, covered with paint splatters and no longer has a mantel only bricks that jet out where the mantel used to be. On top of this, it has 4 black vents (2 on top and 2 at floor level) which make it look even worse. We would love to keep the brick if only there's a way to clean and refurbish it. Other than that, the only idea we have is to paint over it. We are going to build a new mantel regardless of what we do with the brick. Here's what we'd like to know...
1) Is there an important reason for the vents? And can we cover them without fear of the house burning down?
2) Is there a way to clean and add luster to the bricks?


If anyone has any other ideas for what to do please let us know. We have done so much to that room but it never looks complete because of that ugly, old fireplace.

Thanks for the help!

Hi,

This is a very common problem when it comes to older buildings with fireplaces which are starting to look a little dated.

1. The vents are there for ventilation and shouldn't be covered. You haven't said what type of fire you have (coal/gas). Check with a heating engineer to see if you have any options.

2. The best way to clean up paint splattered bricks is to use white sprit and a wire brush. It will give the bricks a general clean too.

If you just hate the brick colour now, you could paint them cream with an external masonry paint or consider panelling over them.

Let me know how it goes. (see http://www.housedoctorintheuk.co.uk for more tips)

Kind Regards