Re-clad the fireplace in with something natural like quartzite or an updated slate. Pull some colors from that like greenish or rust. Add an accent chair with a print or pattern that has some color. Change the rug out for something with color. Just some thoughts.

You might want to plaster over the brick and paint it an accent color. Also adding a slabe of granite or stone ( you should be able to get a remnent) to the hearth would define the space.

Great suggestions so far, I agree with the slate or natural stone to update it. The accent wall illustrated by Dytecture makes the piano pop. If you plan to keep the neutral colour scheme I would warm up the white furniture with warmer tones with through blankets/cushions. Your red cushions could be the inspiration for adding more colour to the room especially if you are willing to have an accent colour on the walls. The white rug seems too modern for this space, I would suggest changing that up. The trim (baseboards and door frame) appear to be a warm wood tone, stick with warmer colours and minimize the stark white pieces. Regardless of the material to cover the brick.
I also have an ugly brick fireplace wall. I added a new gas fireplace and built a drywall wall around it to the ceiling. The brick that is still exposed will be painted black. The room has a lot of light and no wood trim (all the trim is painted a off white colour). just another suggestion.

I like the look of painted brink...also, after painting it, i would add a nice wood mantel to it -- maybe in natural cedar that isn't too rustic.

Hello Kellyshug. You are lucky to already have good bones to work with: beautiful floors, nice millwork, good strong architectural lines. Adding an alternate material to the brick will only make it appear larger and more prominent. It is already the most prominent feature in your room so if you don't like it, and the brick is in good condition, you might think about minimizing it by painting the brick the same color as all the adjoining walls, leaving the ceiling color a soft neutral or off white and changing all the walls to Ben Moore Sombrero. A larger area rug will pull your eye, again, away from the projecting fire place and will add needed color and texture to the room. While challenging, turning the piano around so that you see the keys will also add visual interest and pulling the white chair out of the corner will add to grouping the seating arrangement around the center of the room. Find an antique mantle, either in wood or marble and add a few throw pillows in colors and textures of your liking and you have a very inexpensive new room. Let me know if I can assist you in any way! I wish you the best of luck, Elizabeth

All good ideas above. I would add more texture -- a huge basket filled with wood on the fireplace, a few plants for life, etc.

If you wrap a new mantel all the way around the sides of the fireplace, you can have one material below, maybe something expensive since it isn't a large area. Then something more cost effective above -- plaster or dry wall as mentioned.

I love the idea of painting the one wall. I could also see shelving here with lighting.

I would clad the brick with wainscot, painted and leave a small amount of brick on show. It could look truly amazing..

Hello Kelly,
I have recently encountered the same challenge on a project I did that was similar to yours.
I have enclosed some before and photos for you to view as a comparison.

We re-framed over the existing brick, added backerboard, then installed honed and filled travertine marble. We completed the installation with an Oak mantle to compliment the newly installed brown oak floors.

Hope this helps.

Torry Manzo
Renaissance Kitchen and Home

If you want to keep cost low and impact high, consider painting the brick ( a cool gauzy white) and installing a steel or bronze flange around the inside opening of the firebox, it would modernize and "cleanup" all the brick..you can order these at most firplace shops.
Then change the firebox to glass or fireballs inside and poof...sexy

The brick goes with the age & style of the house. It's a neutral color and a nice feature. If it is a wood burning firebox, I would suggest a decorative black wrought iron screen. Looking into an empty grate isn't very appealing. A black faced gas insert would also look good, if appropriate for your location.

What is the name of the wood floor in your living room? Color and manufacturer would be great, as we are looking to install a floor similar to that color.

Hi Toussan
I recently had the floors redone. They are 25 years old so really needed some love. All I can tell you is that they are oak & our contractor was able to find something close to match under my new range.
The color is custom...
I wanted a mid tone that would minimize the orange/yellow.

b

First of all, I love this room! It's beautiful. I'm seeing a deeper slate gray/blue on the walls. With your light furniture, I think that would make it look cozy. Also, maybe a large piece of artwork to really pop everything and incorporate the reds in the pillows. You have several options for the fireplace, but I would definitely change something, even just painting it and adding a dark, chunky mantle. Good luck and I'd love to see how it turns out!