This is a beautiful example of an old brick fireplace that was given a German Schmear treatment.It softens the harsh lines of the brick and updates it as well. When thinking of outdated fireplaces, the first thing that comes to mind are those unsightly metal gates that sit right in front of the fire. They often demand all the attention when looking at the fireplace as a whole, and not a plus design & remodeling in a positive way. The best way to update those metal gates/doors is just to get rid of them. You can purchase a new set that is metal, but with less attitude. The more simple, the better. You may even consider getting glass gates/doors. It doesn’t obstruct the view of the fire and gives the fireplace a modern feel. We recently painted a dark brick fireplace. If you'd like to see the transformation and learn how then check out our post How To Paint Fireplace Bricks.