Wow, this could have been my fireplace and room (even with the unfinished drywall) a few months ago. I first painted the bricks white but realized that since it was a real wood fireplace that we used often, it got very dirty and was very hard to clean. We have since covered it with manufactured stone which looks very real and it turned out great, but it's a little pricey. I think another option on a small budget would be to even paint the brick black! Especiallyl if your wall is going to be somewhat light. you could even paint the ceiling a warmer color so there's not such a stark contrast between the black bricks and white ceiling. The wall to wall mantel is pretty neat, I would leave it in place. Another fix that would update it is remove the brass facade and spray paint it, depending on the look you're going for there are many different finishes (satin nickel, etc.) Then update the fan with either a new fan or different light fixture. Another option would be to cover it with a type of stucco that you can do yourself (google it or check out options in Lowes or Home Depot). Good luck.

PAINT.PAINT.PAINT. Try painting it then before it really cures scrub it with a wire brush. Paint is inexpensive and even if you make a mistake it's easy to fix. Be sure and read our blog pleasantlivinghome.blogspot.com

I would recommend painting the fireplace for sure! Instead of white, try a warm khaki color, it will soften the look and hide any smoke/dirt issues. The walls could then be a shade darker for some contrast, but not too much. To spruce up the mantel consider using it like a gallery wall and leaning a few simple art pieces. I would also paint the brass. Best of luck!

have you thought of a concrete wall? its really since you don't have crown moldings it will give you a clean contemporary feel.... i don't know if its expensive though.
anyways here are some images of a concrete fire places and walls
hope you like it

Here's a great houzz article about painting brick or leaving it.
https://www.houzz.com/magazine/interior-brick-paint-it-or-leave-it-stsetivw-vs~161722

Thank you! Thank you! I will take all the advice and apply it to the best of my ability :)

I agree with Durpetti and would do the contrast as she suggested and love the idea of leaning the large art! Great suggestions on her part.

I'd look really hard at the houzz article Michigammemom posted. Your room has the potential to be a great spin on the the red brick walled room shown there. A word of experience: painting unpainted brick takes a LOT of paint (it soaks it up) and a lot of time. Do have a good idea of how you want the room to look when it's finished before you start painting: there's no unpainting.

Paint the brick. Replace or paint over the brass trim on your fireplace screen. Update the light fixture. Good luck with your remodeling!

Several nice inspiration photos have been submitted. White paint with a new mantel would be a very easy and big change--ie the photo submitted by Pleasant Living. Photos by Gemini Living good too--just more modern and masculine.