Painting interior fireplace bricks

[tgarden]

What is the best procedure for painting the bricks on the front face of my interior fireplace. A beautifil oak mantel and surround encase the bricks but I want to lighten the whole look of the fireplace. Also there are bricks on the front flooring of the fireplace and I'd like to paint these also. Thanks.

[heartache]

Iv'e seen people use watered down emulsion to paint interior brickwork, if you want it to last varnish over the emulsion once dry.