I would not paint it. Can that white arch/keystone be removed? The room could have a softer look if your remove the blinds, use lamps rather than overhead lighting, and hang some nice artwork over the niches ( to hide them). I actually like the brick wall.

Thank you brian1785. I had no idea this product existed. I was afraid of painting because I was feared it would look amateurish but with products like brick a new, it is something to consider. Looks like there are 3 color palettes only though?

What is the material surrounding the fireplace. Is is stone? Agree with grapefruit1, two significant pieces of art covering the niches. I painted my fireplace but the brick that was used at the time was a shiny flat red brick. Just plain horrid. It looks terrific but your brick, I would not paint!

Yes it only comes in 3 choices but it really is a big change in what you'll have after you are done.

Twobluejays, yes the other elements of the fireplace are stone, so I don't know about covering them because they are original, but would like to blend in the wall/brick with the fireplace. A part of me says, keep the rustic feel, while another part of me would totally cover it up with decorative white panels, or for a cheaper option, change the brick color as brian1785 suggested.

I think the brick looks fine, but the stonework looks like cement, so my suggestion is to research staining that to a slightly richer shade. Then paint the walls a warmer color, flank the windows with drapery panels and the room will be stunning.

That is some fireplace. Lots of good suggestions here. As another option you might consider adding some metal panels under the inset "windows" as a wainscot. The metal mixed with brick can give it a modern feel. I think the rusted look of something like a Truten A606 corrugated panel would work well with the brick and would give it the updated modern/rustic look. Here is an example of the rusted wainscot though I don't have one with brick. We have more options at www.bridgersteel.com.

Randa...what do you think of bookcases on either side of the fireplace? Fill both spaces? That might be enough to break up the look of endless brick. Or even floor to ceiling bookcases and leave the niches visible. Then you can do what I did when I took out a recessed medicine cabinet over the bathroom sink and made it into a shrine [of sorts] :^}

To BeverlyFLAdeziner, thanks for showing me what the room could look like with less brick!! I do agree, too much brick is overwhelming. My home was built by a home builder who intended to live in the house so he exaggerated a lot of good things EXCEPT the brick wall. He also made the floor a black concrete floor which is pretty dark and I am thinking up inexpensive ways to deal with that now. Thanks so much!

Twobluejays, book cases could work but we're not the type to show case books, although we do like to show case art, so I am thinking perhaps a large art piece of some sort in each niche? Would that look bad since there is lighting there anyway?

Sure, you could demolish the brick. Or you could cover it up with something a bit less busy.

Option 1: Wood

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Option 2: Tile (My personal preference but I'm biased ;) )

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Good luck!

No. Sounds great to me. Please do anything you can do before painting brick. Once painted no going back.

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Paintings hung hiding the niches work as well, too for a change.

Tile Plus Inc, I LOVE YOUR IDEAS!!! I was trying to get to this vision but couldn't put it all together in my head. I too especially love option 2 and would show the niches with art work since there is lighting there already. Thanks!!! :)