Is the brick white or do you mean its painted white. I assume you want a real brick fireplace.

If its white brick you could try sponging each brick with several colors of brick colored concrete paint or stain and leaving the grout.

If its painted white then you need to paint the whole thing a grey "grout" color. Then use sand texture paint in brick colors applied each brick.

Since your doing it brick by brick you can stop and start.

Thanks, Stanlie, for your reply! As I look at the photo I took (I don't move in to the house until the end of the month) I see that it's not brick, it's more like white (not painted) concrete blocks. Trust me. The entire wall and fireplace is really ugly. Maybe I should remove the paneling and have someone build a mantle that hides the fireplace??? Michael Payne I am not! Please keep sending your ideas!

I had a similar situation a few houses ago...I had the blocks covered with dry-wall and then a mantle built across the top. This was a 50s house that lended itself to the clean lines that the new fireplace now has. erik

Thanks, Erik. That's a great idea and one I'll probably take you up on. This is my first house, so I'm excited to turn this ugly duckling into something beautiful..or at least more pleasing than it is now. Thanks for your help! Suzane

Im with him. It doesnt sound like it would be worth all that work. Drywall is cheap. Rip the panelling off. Go for the clean walls.

Not sure of your layout but you may be able to forgo drywall and just skim coat with topping compound. Youd be surprized what it will cover. I just used 4 buckets to skim coat a small hall. In some spots its 1/2 inch thick. Sounds like a lot but its only $7 a bucket.

I was thinking I would paint over the paneling, but that's probably just as tacky as the paneling itself. I think you're right...the paneling needs to go too (along with the original 1968 green shag carpet!). No wood floors underneath, unfortunately. I'm going to try my hand at laminate click-in flooring. Thanks, again Stanlie, for your suggestions. Being a total novice at home improvement projects I appreciate all the suggestions and help I can get!

Hi again Suzane,

I like all the above ideas; painting, sponging, drywalling, the mantle, etc. Just an additional thought as well--possibly some decorative ceramic tile around the fireplace (obviously if it works with the whole layout).

It's a small enough quantity of tile that it needn't be very expensive. It would add a definite touch of class. And would give you some tiling experience--not a bad skill for any homeowner!

Ha! Yes, I've lots to do inside AND outside (with all those juniper bushes!). Thanks for all the suggestions...and some tile would definately add a classy touch. Is there any way to post before and after photos? I'd love to see other folks' projects, too.

Before and After photos: a great idea! I don't know of a way to add images to the boards--but if you have a website you can definitely provide the link. I wish more people would do this. A while back, there was one person who had a whole web page dedicated to his plumbing problem! One problem with this board is that you tend to see more 'before' than 'after'--as people that's when folks tend to need the help.

I may be doing this (before-and-after) myself in the near future, as I am tackling a kitchen remodel. The hardwood floor needs lots of work, also am having some 'propping up' done in the crawlspace....arrrgh. I'd might put the pics up on a website--but only after I know things are going 'my way'; wish me luck!

By the way, when's your move-in date?