the white pilasters look added onto a plain brick fireplace. they should be easily removable to increase your options to update it.

paint it all white. if it is still too bulky, remove the pilasters.

For a quick and inexpensive fix I would suggest painting the brick a solid white. Because of the placement of the pilasters, as mentioned above, it would help to blend the brick showing on the outside areas and help it to flow into the room's base trim. Down the road, when your budget permits, you may want to remove the pillars, add flagstone over the brick and have the jetting section of brick removed for a more centered look.

Heavy whitewash, or paint the same color as the mantel:

Thanks all for your advice. So the pilasters are like an off white or light beige color. You all are suggestion to paint the brick true white and there would be some contrast or try to match the pilasters?

I would suggest an exact match since the pillars are off centered from the brick. I think in this situation it would be better to blend it all together rather than to show a contrast. We typically use a masonry primer with a latex top coat. This will help to avoid peeling.