Keep the brick as is, unless you really dislike it. Pick a tone out of the brick to paint the walls. You could also lighten the wood on the fireplace to a washed, driftwood shade. Choose your fireplace accessories carefully- less is more. FIRST, if you plan to purchase an area rug, get it, then work the paint color and leather sofa around it.

I would paint the brick walls on either side of the fireplace the same shade you choose for new wall color. Or maybe even a few shades deeper. Those walls need to recede back from the fireplace which is a large focal point. I would also paint the inside of the fireplace black using special high temperature paint. Once you determine the colors you are going to feature in the room, choose a larger dynamic piece of art to hang over the mantel. The current art is too small and the colors too similar to the washed brick. Use less accessories on the mantel. Two or three bolder items would have more visual impact. The same goes for the raised hearth. You may want to consider builtin cabinets and shelving on the brick walls beside the fireplace. You have a large area to fill in and beautiful custom builtins would give you storage and display space. Let us see how everything comes together!

Thank you. I whitewashed the brick last month. It was an old brick red. The items on the mantle are temporary. We just moved here November. Hadnt thought about painting i side the fireplace. Good idea. I agree about the fireplace needing to stand out. The walls are primed paneling.

Looking at a pale tan, with yellowish tones maybe?