Yes!! I just painted my fireplace & installed white built ins. My dining room is right off my kitchen & walls are a light grey too. I think painting would brighten it up. You have more brick then I had so its possible you can leave brick & just paint cabinets. I just read an article on houzz about how to work with red brick & how to spruce it up in design.

White wash your brick (not paint - too solid) and then you can paint the wood white or black for contrast. Will look great either way!

In a word Yes. But whitewash brick. Paint bookcases a white with a accent color on back. Then declutter. You have way to much going on. Bookcase no more than 3 items per shelve. Only items on end of Mantel. Then add art, big above it.

Google how to whitewash. Use gray paint from walls mix with water. It's very easy to apply.

I would use a thinned down latex off-white (not grey) paint and do a little at a time on the brick. You can use a terry cloth rag to dab it in spots until you get the look you like. Go ahead & paint your bookcases a solid off-white gloss finish & do that before doing the brick. You may want to stop after doing the bookcases. If your TV is larger than the firebox, please do not place it over the fireplace. Find another spot for it, maybe mounted on a wall.

How come no one has commented on the "A Christmas Story" lamp by the doors? Is that for fun?

Sorry didn't see TV above FP

Christmas story? I see a leg with a shade...

I spotted that one right off. Every room needs some humor I think.

Your necks will be rather uncomfortable looking up all the time. Center of TV screen should be level with viewers eyes. I like where you have the TV already. Paint bookshelves and place mirrored glass on back wall to brighten up the room. Adds some sparkle. Lovely room by the way.

It's easier to paint cabinets and know how they will turn out! Plus for resale, people can change out cabinet color in their heads, brick is daunting. I like the brick too. Not always but definitely this time.

I agree with others who suggest starting with the cabinets. You will be amazed at how much brighter, cleaner and fresher a new coat of white paint will look in your room. I also agree that you should leave the TV where it is, rather than above the fireplace; that would not be a comfortable viewing height. And yes - I immediately noticed the "Christmas Story" lamp. LOL!

I agree with KShoa - That would be my recommendation. You could also paint the shelves a less contrasting color to blend in (like the attached image).

I love the way Candice Olson generally does her book shelves. Frames are donand sided inside and out are done in white, shelves are done in natural wood and backs are either painted a color from fabrics in room or backed in glass.

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/seura-entertainment-tv-mirror-contemporary-living-room-phvw-vp~89687[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/seura-entertainment-tv-mirror-contemporary-living-room-phvw-vp~89687)

She styles the shelves nicely too for drama and function and just plain pretty. Of course she has four assistants that shop only for accessories. Gotta love the art form!

In the pic of this tiny row house the TV is behind the tiger pic on the wall.

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dont-mount-a-tv-above-a-fireplace/

No to TV over FP , and here's an article on that subject. Hang art that is no wider than the firebox opening. Agree with painting the cabs and waiting on the FP until you live with the cabs for a while. You'll want to paint the crown piece that spans between the cabs, so that may be the trigger that decides you on whitewashing the FP. Style the shelves with 1/3 books, 1/3 large decor items and 1/3 open space. Can't see how big your TV is but it is impeding good arrangement of the furniture. Consider getting a set that will install in the cabinets - either right or left making whatever shelf adjustment you need to accommodate the TV. You can mount it on an articulated arm to be able to adjust for best viewing. Then use the TV wall for one of your sofas, placing the two of them in an "L" and opening the window are area bit with only the chair and a new side table and lamp angled there. Your round table is a bit tall for any of your seating. Should land within 1" of the arm. It would make a lovely foyer piece if you have one, and the lamp would be a great conversation starter when guests enter your home.

Start with the built in. This is how mine turned out. It is very similar to yours.

Leave the fireplace alone. Paint the built ins white and put your TV over the fireplace. Despite what most people think it's not uncomfortable to watch and it clears up space for additional seating

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. We are painting the built ins first and then will see how it looks. My husband is very leary about painting the brick, but white washing is a great suggestion if we feel we need to do something with the brick. I so appreciate the feedback from you all.

And in response to the leg lamp: It is up year round. My husband got if for Christmas several years ago because he loves that movie and we just leave it up all the time. It's always leads to a great conversation when people notice it. We even sold our old house with the leg lamp on display!

Hi, Can you please share the final picture how it turned out

Go all white. I painted my brick white and love it. My woodwork was already white.

I like all white for the entire wall.

I would paint the shelving white for sure :).....but before you paint the brink see what it looks like - maybe even for a week or something. I really like natural brick (if its not fake looking)...I think the contrast will look awesome :)