Current home project...the fireplace

This beautiful fireplace has been painted white since we moved in almost three years ago. According to our neighbor who has painted this home for various owners, he put at least three layers of white on it to cover the BRIGHT red which previously covered up lime green. Seriously people, what is wrong with natural brick? Justin and Garrett to the rescue! What started as a "let's see if we can get to the brick" became an all out paint stripping project. Of course that meant more power tools...YES! Room sealed, dust flying, masks and earplugs donned....it's an official project. One little bump on the road. When we asked our painter neighbor for advice on getting the paint off he said, "You didn't start that with kids around did you? There could be lead paint!" And of course I'm googling lead poisoning which is never a good idea...lets leave at that. We bought an official lead paint test kit and were relieved to find out it was negative. So on with the project....It's coming along and will be done soon, finished pics to follow!