If you want it to be less noticeable, I would paint the brick the same color as the walls. Love that slate!

I'd add a Moroccan screen at an angle. I;d also paint but you said didn't want to.

Wow, that's a tough one. When you say your DH wants to put in a gas stove eventually.... what does "eventually" mean?

LOL "eventually" could be in a couple of years or in the Fall. You know, I've been a little gutsy lately taking things into my own hands, painting this room, repainting and decorating the bathroom, and now I'm in the middle of tiling my backsplash to freshen up the kitchen. Maybe I'll tackle this next...the brick scares me because the paint on it is so thick already. And do I need to make the grout look like a different color than the brick? Or all one color like the previous owners did? I already removed wood molding the previous owners had on the ends of all the brick. They put wood moldings everywhere! In wall corners and around outer corners, and around all the fireplace brick!

I've posted this before and I think the best advice I got was to sponge with several colors, using the wall color and the slate as my guide. I am still liking that idea as it seems like the quickest and easiest solution. I also like the screen idea but it would take up more space and I want to keep the room as open as possible It's a smallish living room.

Thank you all! I love this forum and it's been a while since I've been on. I missed you all!

I'd paint the brick to match the walls. What a lovely colour!
The thick paint is actually a blessing in disguise.
If you were to paint unpainted brick, it would soak up paint like nobody's business!

I would not do the grout in a different colour and I would not paint the floor tiles.

Even when the stove is in, you'll want something different than the stark white, and it will be easier to paint now (or change) before the stove is installed. I painted a huge brick wall, and was a bit scared before I started. But it wasn't so bad. Use a very thick nap roller. I primed the painted brick before I applied my new color. I don't think it should matter if you already have coats of paint existing. I would paint it butternut, or maybe lighten the butternut a bit.

I would either paint it all over the same color as the wall, no painting the grout separately, or else tile over it, not the slate though! Maybe some beautiful beige/gold tiles with slate accents.

Thank you all! Now to decide...

I've always liked that area you have without the stove. I'd make a "jungle" out of it with houseplants. My SIL did that with a hard to decorate corner of her LR and it really stands out. She added some plant lights since the corner doesn't get sun.

You could use pots and planters that matches your walls, then the area would be colorful.

I wouldn't paint the area the same color as your walls, only because you may get sick of the color eventually and you don't want to go through the ordeal of painting the brick again.

What about a more neutral color for the brick, like a deep beige? It would go well with the color on your walls and would probably go well with any future color you pick out.

I actually like the way you have it now.

Did you ever consider stripping off the paint? It seems like the colors of the brick work perfectly with your decor, and would be much warmer and fit better in the space.

If that isn't possible, then I would tile over it, probably with slate similar to what is there.

Then I would invest in a faux fireplace that sits in the corner, so the area looks intentional. One example:

corner fireplace

A vote to paint the area in the same color as the walls or very deep rich chocolate brown.

Check out your local Craigs List listings and thrift stores -- look for a corner cabinet or shelving.

Look for a corner unit that is dark brown OR could be painted dark chocolate brown.

Or look at Ikea shelving options and "create" a corner unit that would fit the space.

Just an example of a corner cabinet -- or perhaps add a corner cabinet AND your TV and make the whole space useful!

Here is a link that might be useful: Example of corner cabinet

Here's what you do.

Find a big, ugly -- I mean REALLY ugly -- statue... something your husband HATES...

And tell him that you want to put it in that corner.

Either that, or he could put that stove in.

Heh heh heh heh...

Something maybe like this:

I love mclarke's idea! LOL. That space really needs a stove to make sense of it. I think I'd hire a stone mason and add a real stone veneer probably in the ledge variety to cover the brick. I'd also bring it up all the way up to the ceiling where you have that shorter section. Soft recessed lighting looks pretty shining down on a stone wall at night.
http://porcelainveneerss.com/2011/07/11/stone-wall-veneer/
Your room is really very charming, and I'd just love to come and sit by the fire in that leather chair.

Wow! Great ideas! Thank you! I really REALLY like the idea of a light shining down. It's a dark corner. At one point I did have lots of plants but all that's left is the one in the giant terrarium because it's a dark corner. Lucky for me I like dark and I also love fern and other plants that don't require much light. Okay let me marinate in these ideas and see what hits me. Mclarke - yes! LOL I could tell him I need to fill the space and get a big gnome for my plants. Might work!

I think it looks really nice just like you have it now, sameboat. That terrarium is very cool! Maybe just put that chest in the corner, put the topiary on the floor next to it and put the big terriarium on the top of the chest to the right and a little soft mini lamp next to it, and your picture.

I will try that in the morning, sasafras. I'll post a pic!

Great suggestions so far but I wanted to tell you that I love what you've done with the rest of the room! I esp like your rug~

ooops. The terrarium is SO big that nothing else will fit on the chest, even with it slid a little to the right!

Since it's a dark corner you could put a 3-way lamp there. Of course you'd probably need an extnsion cord and it will be hid by the other things you have there.

I do like the brick painted white though.

I think a stove would look just charming in there! It would work nicely with the rest of your things and make it look like the space has a real purpose.

It was worth a try sameboat, I should have seen that. I still like the space the way it is, I would totally corner the chest though :)

OK I will kiddie corner it and see if that makes more sense. Maybe Santa will bring us a gas stove...

Paint over the white brick with the butternut shade used on the walls. Order perforated metal screening or embossed tin ceiling panels at the lumber yard or on-line in the pattern of your choice, maybe in a bronze finish to complement your colour scheme. A local metal worker should be able to bend and shape it fairly easily so that it conforms over the existing corner (both on the walls and the floor). Amend the one shorter wall so that both sides reach the ceiling. Ensure that the metal conceals the currently exposed edges of the brick for a clean look.

The advantage of this metal screening is that not only would there be a rich, complementary texture added to your cozy decor, it is also fireproof and practical...which should appeal to your husband once he installs his gas fireplace.

Here is a link that might be useful: Suggestions for fireplace corner

I agree with painting the brick the wall color. Let it blend in rather than standing out. Unless you could do what Les suggested - I'd love to see the original brick. I agree the area is crying out for a stove or fireplace of some sort.

tina

Sorry about that - let's try posting the examples of metal screening once again...

Here is a link that might be useful: Suggestions for fireplace corner