Im no expert but i think white on white still looks good with a little color from an artwork maybe? something like in this link?

It feels awkward answering your question since i am also having the same paint color dilemma... Would you mind voting too? Thank you, Colleen! https://www.houzz.com/discussions/paint-dilemma-dsvw-vd~152858

Yes your fireplace will blend with the mantle, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It basically will become a textural expression vs. a color expression. Add a great color to the walls and you will have a great look. The yellow you have feels a little neon to me. May I suggest something a little softer...consider Gentle Cream by Benjamin Moore. Hope that helps. Charmean Neithart

Where is it written that if you paint your brick white, the mantle and the rest of the fireplace surround must also remain white?? I didn't read that chapter, and I like white painted brick. So I'd say go ahead and paint your brick white and then paint all that wood around your fireplace whatever color would look great with the rest of the room. I think I see a smidgeon of dark leafy green in that drapery valence. That could be a good color. But so could black, or a faux wood finish. It's hard to tell what color the doors on the fireplace opening are, but they, too, could be painted, and probably should be painted black, regardless of color you paint the wood around fireplace.
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID

Hi Colleen, I agree with Vernarie and Charmean with regard to white on white, and they've shown some wonderful examples how nicely it can work. Imho, when you have 8ft ceilings (as you appear to have) the proportions of the mantel and brick above don't look quite right, and this is magnified with the stark contrast of the red brick and white mantel you currently have. "Blending" them with the same color would make them feel more cohesive.

Hope this helps,
Steve

Lee, That's a totally cool presentation of whitewashing a brick fireplace, and I have no doubt that it will help a great number of people.

Absolutely whitewashing the brick - enameled mantle will pop...Artwork will accent and you can use that to coordinate the new wall color. Post when you are done....would love to see it.

The fireplace mantle is quite dressy, therefore, I would run drywall above and along the sides and paint the drywall with the other walls in the room.

vernarie, thanks for the pic and opinion. And yes, I'll be happy to vote.

Charmean, thank you. I had said something similar to my husband about textures. Your paint suggestion is greatly appreciated also. I'm a bit embarassed to say that the paint color and valances were here when we bought the house 3yrs ago. It's a big house with many rooms to redo and a limited budget. Thanks again!

Carolyn, thank you for taking care of the doors for me! They are a battered looking brass right now. I was thinking black would look much better, I don't really want to spend the money on new ones! Thanks again.

I like the brick on on the bottom of the fireplace. I'd paint the top first and see how you like it.

leechesney, wow...thank you! I have looked at quite a few of the brick staining kits with this in mind. They sound a bit daunting and are quite pricey. Who knew it could be so simple!? We already have the paint, it's water based, and I think we will try this first. I too think there are a lot of people that would love to know about this. It's a great way to start, if I don't care for it, I can just go ahead and paint it. Thanks again!

Steve, thank you. You explained exactly why this has made me so uncomfortable since moving in here. It isn't just the color of the brick!! Thanks again.

Thanks hansberry! I will post when I finish. This website is so great! I'm just thrilled to see how helpful so many people are. Thank you ALL so much!

I just put stucco over bricks on a job & it turned out fabuloso.

Thanks Matt. Sounds interesting, do you have any pics of the finished project? I'd love to see them! Thanks again

Not sure if it's mentioned yet, but I wouldn't touch the bricks which seems to be in good condition. You can consider attaching some MDF panels above the fireplace mantel so if future home owners want to reveal the bricks they have the option.

I wanted to share this fireplace I love it!
But in your case I vote for white painted brick, you will be shocked at how it will transform your room.

I agree with dytecture. I think MDF panels and painting the brick seem to make the most sense.

Dytecture, wow...that is gorgeous! My problem with that is that the mantle "surround" doesn't cover the brick on the sides. I also don't have that much brick showing on the inside of the mantle. The pic you sent is really stunning, so my style. I love the wainscotting too. I've read so many of your posts, you seem to hit the target all the time! Thanks so much!

Thanks betsy! Yes, that is stunning! So many beautiful alternatives. So many wonderful people taking their time to help me out. Thanks for your input. Thanks again.

Colleen, regarding Dytexture's great suggestion: A good carpenter can make that work, it would require new vertical moldings as shown in his photo, which would slightly overlap/rabbet the existing moldings at the sides. (I can email you specific details on how to do this if you'd like)

This would hide the thin edges of brick that are visible at the mantel sides. Also, re the visible brick on the insides of the mantel: if you remove the brass surround and keep it open or add black chain which fits on the inside of the brick opening, you should see a little more of the brick. (The surrounds often overlap the brick)

Steve