Ha ha...YES...See Kathleen and Maurizio's Italian Home tour below.

i would assume some of that issue is mitigated by using a glossier paint. easier to scrub! also, scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner cleans the brick nicely.

The soot in Kathleen and Maurizo's home gives the fireplace and room character.

The answer is yes but agree with the previous post that it can look very nice. Check out that home tour, the fireplace is gorgeous.

daylight is right. Fahgeddaboudit.

I would think making it a point to clean the fireplace regularly would keep it clean. It just depends on how much cleaning you're willing to do.

I painted our fireplace white ten years ago and it doesn't have a bit of soot on it. The fire pit is enclosed, though, and the glass doors seal pretty well.

You will have soot if you leave the pit area open. You'll also get soot in other areas of the room.

But, yeah, that fireplace in the pic needs painting.

Burning firewood in a fireplace will soon be not permitted due to environmental issues. Sf will be passing this new law soon already in place in some cities and states. I use Java Log have the same fireplace they burn clean and very little soot easy to wipe down with some soap.

Only if you have a flue problem or other chimney problem. If smoke regularly escapes the fireplace and doesn't vent up the chimney properly it will eventually leave a mark. I had a white fireplace for 8 years and never had soot marks.

It looks like you have a soot problem now, so I can only assume that it would be a problem after unless you make other changes. It's all very well for people to say they like the soot in Kathleen and Maurizo's pics, but it only goes to show how striking and memorable it is to see it. If you husband doesn't dig the sooty look, then it's going to stick out to him like a sore thumb. Show him the pic in the article and see what he says...can he live with it?

Personally, I'm not overly impressed with the look of painted brick, soot or no soot. I'd find another solution such as tile.

Paint it. I've had a fireplace painted white for over 10 years. I've repainted it a few times due to other issues, like my toddler putting his artistic touch on it but have had no issues with soot. My fireplace is open (no glass door—just a screen) I think as long as your fireplace is venting properly there shouldn't be any soot.

A little soot, especially during burning season, gives the fireplace a nice look. I have a painted one and just use Windex to clean it off once in a while. Obviously don't use a flat paint. My bricks are fairly smooth and I imagine more textured ones would be more difficult to clean.

If smoke is coming out of the fireplace instead of going up the chimney, you should have your chimney looked at. My parents had a white-painted brick fireplace growing up that we used regularly in the winter, and we never had soot problems (unless you count the cats occasionally getting into the fireplace and tracking ash around the house).

Follow the advice about having your fireplace checked if soot is coming out into the room instead of going up the chimney. I suspect it has been a while since you had the chimney cleaner. The fact that you seldom use it doesn't mean it isn't clogged. In fact, it is more likely to get clogged with dirt and moisture if you don't use it often. Sort of like leaving a car sitting in the yard. Worse yet, a dirty flue can be dangerous to use.

Paint it! White fireplaces are beautiful! I'd had the same argument with my husband, but we moved before he came around so I never got to paint it.

My mother painted her fireplace white and it does get all kinds of sooty. Of course, they've been burning wood in a gas fireplace (don't ask me why, I don't really know), so it's not really designed to keep soot from making a mess.

We've had a white painted fireplace for 8 years now and no soot (and with only a screen). While I would not paint a whole brick wall, the brick fireplace surround, similar to yours, with drywall on both sides, looks so much better when painted white.

i had white glossy painted brick at my former home - the screen was crappy and since we rented we couldn't upgrade it but it wasn't that sooty. you can just wipe it off if you use it. no problem. it was easier than brick to dust, because dust does settle in the mortar part of the bricks even on the vertical face of the walls but it's easy to clean. probably easier than brick.

Even with a clean chimney you might still get some downdraft occasionally, depending on the weather. I wouldn't worry about it on the white brick, but I wouldn't put a priceless painting over the mantelpiece.

If you dont use it often, it wont be a problem.

We painted ours white and never seen any soot, but then again we also have an enclosed one.

I really dont think it will be a problem if you just make sure it is in good condition. The soot is not supposed to go into the room, so if it does it might be a problem with your chimney.

Go for it. Paint it. If it doesnt work, you can just paint it black or another color.

Yes, like lots of others have suggested, use glossy, washable, good quality paint. We have had our for 10 years and I've only had to wipe it down about once a year. And I would not let mine get that dirty!

We had a white fireplace in the house I grew up in, covered only with a wire mesh curtain. In all the 30 years my parents were in that house, I never recall soot being an issue. It always looked pristine. I think regular wipe downs and ensuring that your flue stays clear should keep yours pristine as well.

seems like the painted brick would clean up more easily than the unpainted--and if it starts to get real dingy you can just slap on another coat of paint

I just painted our brick fireplace with lime wash from Portola Paints. My husband was against it, but now that it's done he's sold. The white lime wash is not glossy, but it allows the brick to breathe, unlike paint. It also has a beautiful, natural effect from the lime crystallization. I can't explain it, but it's turned a previously ugly fireplace into something reminiscent of European cottages. The lime wash is also more environmentally friendly than paint, and easy to paint over if it gets sooty.

I'm all for painted fireplaces, but I think what I like less about that fireplace than the brick is the tiny shelf masquerading as a mantel. If your house is at all modern, try removing it to see how you like it - like the top photo. If it's not modern or you don't like that look, consider installing a surround that works.

Not that you asked. :-)

I've almost convinced my husband (after 9 years of living in this house) to let me paint the fireplace white.

"Let" you? Are you a spouse or a servant?

Screw permission. Just tell him, "Hey, honey, guess what? This weekend I'm painting the fireplace!" He's had it his way for nine years - now it's your turn.

Personally I'd be tempted to clad the bricks and then paint that. It'll create a cleaner look and it'll be reversible if it turns out to be a terrible idea.

@jme718, please warn your parents that burning wood in a gas fireplace is EXTREMELY dangerous. Those units are constructed totally differently than wood burning units and asphyxiation or a burned down house are possible outcomes! (They should check with the fire department.)

Soot happens when the damper is not open, when the chimney needs cleaning, or when the wood (or whetever) you are burning is too close to the front opening of the fireplace, maybe even sticking out. All these things are not good for your health or for the safety of your home, either, so soot is a sign something needs fixing. If nothing needs fixing, soot shouldn't be an issue.

Yes, it's definitely a problem. Use high quality paint in a glossier finish, which is easier to clean. When I had a white fireplace, I actually used floor paint so it would be really durable. And I invested in one of those steam cleaner wands to get the crevices.