Should I paint over my brick fireplace?

i found the post to be very helpful! Thank you!!!!

Can you post a photo? Here are some painting ideas other Hometalkers have done to their fireplaces. Once the paint is on it would be a chore to get it all off. Brick is porous and will absorbs some of the paint....http://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=painting%20fireplace

I love natural fireplace brick, but it depends on your room's overall decor. Whitewash also always feels nice and cozy. If you want to remove the paint, its possible, but hard work- http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/q-how-do-i-get-the-paint-off-of-a-fireplace--19886735

www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/transform-a-brick-fireplace-with-a-white-wash-before-after-2192819

White washing is one of the most easy and affordable ways to update a fireplace. And, it allows a part of the original brick color to show through in a subtle way. It's an easy afternoon DIY project. I posted a tutorial on my blog:

https://bachelorettepadflip.com/2013/09/15/white-washing-tutorial/

I doubt you'd ever get painted brick back to its natural color after painting. But if you are finding the brick just too dark and depressing, try white wash first. If that's not enough of a color change, you can still do a solid paint later.

If you paint the bricks they will be pretty much permanently painted. Sandblasting and chemical paint remover would be time consuming and very Messy. How about considering covering it with plywood and retileing. with the glass or plastic tiles (they are light-weight ) or with the re-used skids lumber . Stapled on--for easy painting or removal and the 'in' thing. OR wait--your color bricks will be back in fashion soon

You could white wash it with watered down paint. You would still have the brick showing through, but it would be muted. Once you paint it would be hard to bring the brick back without stripping and possible sandblasting.

thank you so much :)