We just painted the cabinets from a really dark, dated brown.

I don't find them the right hue to be quite as charming as they can be, so I would consider researching online images of how people make them look good painted. You want to get it right if you repaint them.

If you'd like some color to show through, definitely go with whitewash. Personally,
I did a whitewash treatment in my own home and I'm thrilled with the results! There's a great tutorial on how-to, here!

We painted our fireplace and don't regret it! Adds a nice updated look

I would paint the fireplace charcoal. It's a large structure and I think it needs differentiation from the white built ins. Whitewashing can create a very attractive finish, but I don't think it would work well with the color tones in your brick.

If you paint it any dark color it's going to look like a huge, hulking, overbearing mass of painted brick, and that's not a good idea.

Also, you have nail-struck joints (that deeply recessed mortar). That's going to look nasty if you paint it. And it will be really difficult to whitewash evenly (getting the joints and the visible tops and bottoms of the bricks to match the brick face will be impossible).

For me, if I really hated the brick, I'd cover it with wood to match the cabinets. A frame-and-panel wood covering painted the same as the cabinets could be done so that nobody would know that the brick was there. I'd put a slate or flagstone top on the raised hearth to make a real statement.

Paint it creamy white!

@tatts, you nailed it. Box up the whole thing with dry wall, including hearth to match the beautiful built ins. Get rid of the current, dated screen to! Keep us posted.

Walking home from work today, I saw a perfect example of why you don't want to paint your fireplace. This is the front of a parking garage, and there are two kind of mortar joints. The bricks on the left and right have nail-struck joints like your fireplace; those in the center are regular flush joints.

See how ugly it is when you paint it a solid color and it highlights that grid?

IMHO, I think the center section doesn't look very good, either, but it's a LOT better than the flanking ones (and, unlike painted exterior brick, you will always be looking at your fireplace up close, seeing every brick and every seam in bold relief).

Paint paint paint! I'd match the color of your built ins. Go to a good paint store and get their advice for the proper brick primer/sealer. I've done painted brick many times, you'll love it! Make sure you get in the grout lines.

Enjoy,

Barbara Brown

Barbara Brown Interiors

How many coats of paint to put creamy white for instance and obliterate the shades of bricks? I sit sometimes and stare at my fp surround and try to picture it painted to go with monochromatic redecorated great room. All shades of white, crime, light grey, etc. All in my mind currently.....furniture, floors and all.

I like it as is.. if you do change it, I like Mia's idea of staining

Paint it!

charcoal stain works wonders and would integrate the flat screen into the wall and help reduce its overbearing presence. Add some larger, darker accessories on the shelves to balance the entire wall.

On a tight budget? Paint. If not, box it up with dry wall.

I would not paint it! I like the way it looks ( would prefer to change the floor) but if you hate it do as Tatts says.

Paint it and match it to the bookshelves and if you like a bit of rustic look you can add wood for the mantel. It will balance the white and look great. You can find many examples right here on house on how that would look.

Are you considering changing your floors. Go with a medium brown, not the ones with orange undertones

I agree with some others. Paint it to match the bookshelves. You could always go back and "age" if it proved too monotone for you.

if it looks too white - you can add reclaimed wood mantel to add a rustic touch and also the back of the built ins can be painted a light bright colors to provide a backdrop for the accessories. Are you thinking of changing your floors? do them 2-3 shades lighter than the darkest brown to ensure that you are in the brown shades and dealing with any orange or honey tones in the wood for the flooring. It will look balanced.

Change the floor to a warm brown wood, avoiding the orange tones. Do not paint the fireplace. Then use some of the colors from the brick in pillows and accessories.