Not sure what else is happening in the room, perhaps a soft gray color to provide some contrast.

Gray would go with the seats of your bar chairs and look good with the brick wall. Your instincts are correct. The white bar wall is a bit stark. There are so many shades of gray. Sherwin Williams has a large folder with gray samples. A good place to start.

Ha. It would probably help to have a look at the adjoining room. I'll get a another photo up of the living space. Thank you for your comment.

The adjoining room. A friend recommended a bright color, like red. Completely freaks me out. I would rather keep the bright colors to art work on wall. Well, the art work that's not up yet. Ha. Thanks again for comments. Ck'd out Sherwin Williams. Nice selection of grays.

You could also consider getting a panel that matches your cabinet color to finish off the back and then paint the post - then you aren't adding a color, just expanding what is already there...

Debbi- thank you. I like that idea too! Yay!

Gray would be better. Paneling the wall would add more dark wood and compete with the bricks. I think the gray would be beautiful yet subtle and give the bricks center stage.

R Pro - Like your idea too! Guessing horizontal board pattern... But what about Vertical?

You can go either way horizontally or vertically. However, vertical adds a totally different feel and often a more modern edge. As in the photos I've attached here of our prefinished white barn board. Run horizontally, on the bedroom wall photo and it is more traditional, run vertically and it looks more modern, edgy but still warm and awesome in this modern staircase.

Here it the vertical stairway photo from my previous post....

Even the prefinished white would be pretty, adding texture but not too much color. I'd wrap the post in it too. It would pull the modern kitchen into the warmth of the brick and be really awesome!

I love the Reclaimed wood idea;) Horizontal