In the future we will add wood paneling on the bottom face portion were the edge is along w shelving. This won't happen for a long while. Thanks for all suggestions and comments.

have you considered painting the brick? it does not seem to go well with the flooring. By white washing...the brick?

@conniedial the original posting stated they were going to whitewash the brick today

Congratulations... that is a major improvement.

If you care to share your design style and goals, we could offer practical ideas and solutions. One thing I would suggest is to update the sconces... your style preference would determine recommendations

Traditional yet updated, I guess? Here are some pictures of the rest of the house. We haven't moved in yet. We just bought the couch and 2 chairs. What do you suggest I place where the sconces are?

The couch

Whitewash looks good. I would suggest enlarging the framework of the fireplace . Also add a larger mantel and do away with the mounted light fixtures.

With the style that is going on in the kitchen and with your furniture choices... I could see something like the fixtures in the photos below.

take a look at the mantle as is with the new white wash to determine if you need to change it. right now it ties in with the ceiling beams. The wall and ceiling color needs to be addressed. I would move away from the gold colors towards the greys.

Super suggestion Terri. I totally agree.

Terri you are so right. Here is the color we have in another room and are painting the living room this color. Thank you.

Lights? I'm still lost and looking...

Try this place for some ideas - http://www.lightingdirect.com/wall-sconce-lighting/c1209?f363=indoor%20lighting&f381=transitional&f397=ambient%20lighting&p=2

You can sort by style (I just picked transitional based on what you said about your style above), type (wall lighting) theme (I chose ambient). It's a quick way to narrow down your choices.

Good luck, your fireplace looks awesome and I love your home!

I like the color you selected for your living room.

The light fixtures I selected above are from Restoration Hardware. I like them for your space with the brick because the combination reminds me of the old brick industrial loft warehouses.

Great whitewashing job. I don't particularly like where those sconces are placed. If you could brick in those places without making a mess, I would. I like the Restoration choices above though. The mantle could stay the same or go white.

i love your house; the fireplace looks great. I'm wondering about moving the mantel down to just above the long vent--so it relates more to the FP?

My thought also was to try to lower it. I don't see how this can be done. The circle between the long vent and the mantel is the open close for the chimney. We had no idea this FP has 2 motors in each side vent and blows out air from the center vent with enough force to blow my hair! What a surprise. Hmmm what does this button do? Then I was blown in the face with all the dust and cob webs! Haha.

Here is the room so far. I am getting new windows next week. Then I can get window treatments. Any ideas on how to complete the room. Thanks.

That room looks a lot better. A rug would really help finish it

A rug, plants, dimmer for the fireplace lights and pictures. In that order. ;^) The wall is nicely done!