Since you don't like the look of the brick and are looking for an easy option, I would suggest painting the brick white and getting a mantle that looks like the ceiling beams.

That's an interesting area with lots going on--maybe a bit too much. My first thought would be to paint the fireplace and ceiling beams a couple shades darker than the wall color and then add an area rug pulling the taupe/gray and whites together in front of the fireplace. I wouldn't go too dark since the furniture and flooring is on the dark side. You're lucky to have so much beautiful storage space! If you don't want to paint the fireplace, I'd consider using a warmer paint on the walls and painting the ceiling beams white to match the rest of the woodwork. Nice work painting the shelves. That had to take forever! They look super in white.

I like the brick. I'd move the TV to the right bookshelf. Is it possible to remove the mantle?

I don't usually see red brick fireplaces I like - this one I do like. I would try what the smart commenter said first - make a shelf for TV and take off the ledge first! If you like to make fires in FP remember the soot -sp makes the white black over time if not scrubbed ..gl

Saw this and thought it would look great with what you've got going on

Just basically box out your wood mantle using molding and a few panels around the existing bricks, extend it to the built in shelves, paint it all white. Should be relatively easy, inexpensive, and without any need to rip anything out.

One option would be to paint the brick white and brush over with a charcoal glaze.

I would suggest painting the beams and see if you like that any better before tackling the fireplace. The beams are very distracting as they are.

I know it's been awhile, but here is what I ended up doing. Grey washed the brick, painted the beams and restyled the shelves. What do y'all think?

Oh, and I also replaced the buck stove with modern fireplace doors. By the way, here is what it originally looked like before I even painted the shelves.

So you removed the old woodburning stove and installed new glass doors? Did that work well? We have an old buck stove that we don't use very often and it's an eye-sore.

Wow - fantastic job. How did you grey wash the bricks? Is it an acid wash or glaze?