Eye Sore, Or?

This wall makes my stomach turn-so many eye sores, so little ideas!

A BEFORE OF SORTS

Here's the fireplace we acquired. I have never had more mixed feelings about any other piece of architecture in my life.  Years of misuse & layer upon layer of soot make it one of the most unsightly things I have seen in a home I've inhabited. 

 I go back and forth. Paint it or Leave it.  There's something pretty typical*not that there is anything wrong with typical-or white painted fireplaces) about a white painted fireplace and I am not quite sure that it's what it needs or wants to be.(I have this strange belief that old things have opinions. Including inanimate objects such as: our fireplace.)

I think it has an English cottage side to it that kind of makes me respect it for what it is: sixty years old and mistreated. I haven't tried anything caustic to clean it--coconut oil and vinegar are as far as I have gone. If I could just get it clean and give it a running chance, perhaps even here that Mr. Clean "DING" that commercials for chemical cleaners impress upon us--then maybe...maybe it'd be ok. *Just a note-we are a chemical/conventional household cleaner free household.*

I'm a big fan of making due with what you've got. There's a ton of stuff being produced out there most of that stuff mass produced at less value. Meaning it wont last long and it will end up in the garbage--and that garbage will end up in our air, water and ultimately children...so RE-USE! Don't get me wrong I am a HUGE shopper, I just think if you can re-work it, there's little reason to scrap it all together and get something else.

 Exhibit B: The fireplace screen. Oh, I've got plans.

Exhibit C:Air VENTS.  Necessary--again Florida Mid-August 70 percent humidity and 101 temperatures.  Something about painting over them doesn't seem fit I've seen painted air vents and it doesn't make them seem any less--airvent'y.

This wall has my wheels turning. Each day I figure it out a little more until soon-implementation status. In the meantime if anyone comes across my secret blog and knows what can clean this little doosie up, please let me know!

P.S. No need to mention the candles and amethyst. Total mantel party foul.