We had the same type of fireplace brick and wanted something more modern and contemporary. We covered with smooth stucco.

I see you like antiques! Painting the brick will move your fireplace out of that historical era. Instead, to keep the fireplace in concert with your furniture style, just clean the bricks and install a reclaimed surround around the fireplace, leaving plenty of brick exposed. This would give you back your mantle - sorry! It is also going to help you hide the cable wire and other electronic stuff. It is the surround that is the most important element and would be the logical thing to do, considering your antiques.

Looking at your pix the first time, I totally missed the crown molding at the top of the fireplace. That is a nice architectural detail that should be brought forward. Paint it a color that matches one of the darker colors that are in the brick so it looks like part of the fireplace or replace it with new oak wood that is stained to match your surround, secretary and commode.

Thank you Sandy, the furniture we have are inherited from my parents, and I am just kind of stuck with them. :) my biggest issue is that I really dislike brick.

What is it about brick that you dislike? If it is the color, paint it out. If it is a general distain, cover it with your bead board idea.

I guess it's the color. My hubby likes a wood mantle, he'd like to have one that matched the floor, you thoughts?

there will too much heat on the TV from the fireplace if you leave it as it is. You need to have some sort of mantel to block the heat--This is what I've been told--we are in the beginning stages of a remodel. Fireplace stores will tell you this.