Hi! I actually like how it looks as is! I think that I would add a few items to your mantel to pull everything together. Here are a few ideas for you:

http://deciture.com/cki-relief-red-hopkins-short-bottle/

http://deciture.com/alvarez-large-lidded-vase/

http://deciture.com/alvarez-medium-lidded-vase/

Hope this helps you!

What does your kitchen look like? If it is open concept you will want to maintain a similar style throughout.

Funny, I love it the way it is! Can't wait to see your vision.

here are views to the kitchen and LR

kitchen view

With the neutral color scheme stone veneers can be a great idea! Here are some examples of ErthCOVERINGS work! Another option could be to darken the grout lines... this can change the overall look of the brick. www.erthcoverings.com

thank you! what is the type/color of the stone panels in the pics?

If you do re-vamp your fireplace - get a mantle that extends at least to the outer edges of the fireplace, Those mantles that are stuck on the front of a fireplace, and are too short make me crazy!! (I know you are very concerned about my mental health in respect to your home design!) No mantle with a more contemporary look (large format tile) is great, too!

I have to agree that this area looks great right now......fun to have in your kitchen area. My only suggestion would be to take the art down as it makes it busy with the bricks.....I know the art gives you the accent colors and hope it can still fit on a solid wall in this space instead. Try the candle sticks and solid things like that to make a statement with the brick.

I think good curtains would pull it together. looks good!

You might enjoy this blog. The before room has brick and the home is a similar style... I love the stone they used to replace the brick. Your living room chairs are also very similar. You could create a fireplace like this, minus the cabinetry and in a smaller scale.

View the story at:
http://www.durasupreme.com/blog/kitchen-stories-family-room-transformation

You can also see the finished images of this room on Houzz at:

glp1 : the stone in the ErthCOVERINGS images above are the ErthCOVERINGS Sydney Yellow 3D Panel (3 images) as well as the ErthCOVERINGS Sydney Yellow Rough Break Panel (fireplace with the owl), you can see more installations and more info on our website www.erthcoverings.com

Try and match the stone veneer (if you decide to go that route) as closely as possible to your kitchen backsplash so that it pulls the two spaces together.