The easy update is to remove all the small decorative objects and artwork from the room, just as if you were going to paint. Then put the artwork back and add a pair of candlesticks on the mantel. Put new LED lightbulbs in the track lighting if they are old CFLs. Add new lighting in dark corners.

Sometimes older art prints can be given a new look by changing the mat to cream or linen. Changing the frames to a different style is another option.

Since it is your lake house, I would keep it as natural as possible.

How about staining the bottom FP surround and the mantle and above a darker brown? You would have to remove the poly and then stain.

Then I would white wash the brick to give it a weathered look.

If you want to spend more money and with a bit more effort you could reface the FP. You could remove the brick and install river rocks/cobblestones. That would be an update and still be in keeping with a lake house.

Thoughts?

Do not really want to remove or replace the brick.
A darker stain is interesting...we are also considering a built in for the tv on the left of the fireplace.

I suggest painting the brick white to match your baseboards and window molding. White painted brick is every bit as charming as red brick and it instantly updates a room. Agree with apple_pie_order that your decor plays into this transformation as well. Simplifying everything adds to an updated feel.

Ok. I was thinking about it more and the FP hearth needs to be some sort of hard surface for safety's sake. Consider covering the entire lower level with brick face OR Slate.

I don't think a built in will work to the left of the FP for your TV. It will looked shoved into the corner and will look awkward.

Typically, a TV is mounted over the FP. But then what to do with your components......

How about mounting the TV on the left wall (to the right of the window). When you are using it, pull it out on an extension arm, then put it back flat against the wall when not in use. It will read like a painting.

It is hard to tell the distance between the wall and the fireplace but the distance is 47"..do you think that is too small of a space for a built in?

It is not too small a space for a built in. Right now that corner is dead zone so your idea for a built in cabinet is a good one.

But I definitely would not insert the TV into that corner built in. That would look very odd.

If you do a built in, consider flanking the other side of the FP with the same thing. The symmetry will be enhancing to the room.

You could do a rustic lake house style. Consider having the cabinet height stop 1 1/2 to 2 feet short of the ceiling. This will give you a nice display ledge. A good cabinet maker will know how to make it to the correct scale.

Where are you planning on putting the TV?

Also, please ask someone who is knowledgeable and knows your local building codes. I am pretty sure your wood fireplace hearth is not up to code as it is flammable. It really is unsafe.

Best.

The hearth actually only has wood on the front, the top is ceramic tile.
Thank you for your comments really appreciate .
I really do not know where else to put the tv . All the cable connection are in that corner.not sure I want to mount on the wall.

So we have stripped the fireplace. I sure hope painting above to match the wall is the right thing to do...

A wider, deeper mantel with vertical pieces to create a fireplace surround would be a drastically different look as would adding built in cabinets for your decorations on each side of the brick fireplace surround.

http://www.mantelsdirect.com/images/mantels/Lancaster-300.jpg

If you have a brick chimney behind that wall, at least consider tearing out the wall and exposing the brick chimney and add built in cabinets, perhaps with glass doors to display decorations you don't necessarily want to dust regularly, beside that brick chimney to achieve the same width as the brick fireplace surround.

If you could hide the track lighting behind a cornice (pen side toward fireplace), that would change the look for the better as well.

Edited to add:

Hanging the tv on the wall to the right of the window with a swing arm to adjust its positioning would open up that floor space and unclutter that corner and should not interfere with either creating or accessing built ins on each side of the fireplace. Your fireplace would be the focal center of the room when you're not watching tv.

No brick chimney behind the walls unfortunately.

Hi Donna,

Two of us are voting for mounting the TV on the left wall (to the right of the window) - I really think it may be your only option.......

Thank you for clarifying and another photo showing tile hearth.

I think painting the top of FP the same color as back wall will not work. It is the focal point and needs to be treated as such.

I recommend you pull a deeper gray color from the brick and stain not paint, the wood above the mantel. BTW, what is happening with the mantel?

I am starting to think about not painting above the same color as the wall .I too feel the fireplace will shrink.the word on the fireplace is really in rough shape with a join down the middle. It is some type of veneer,1/8" thick .not sure it is worth staining.
Could over with a new wood product.?

We had to do a tv in the corner too and it's on a swivel arm. We can see it from pretty much the entire room.

I found this pic....what do you think?
Previous one, like the concept but color too dark.

It's beautiful and the FP surround is similar to yours but are you going to keep your existing brick? Are you asking if surfacing the area above FP opening with wood on the diagonal would look good with your existing brick?

If you can swing it, I would copy the picture above if you like it so much. That means replacing your brick with stone.

If you have to leave your brick, then I don't think the color of the wood above the red brick is ideal. I would like to see more of a connection between the two.

Therefore I would stain the new slated wood with a color which you pull from your bricks. This same stain would be used on your new built in cabinetry. A creamy white which actually look great with the brick as well as the green back walls.

Do you understand what I am trying to explain?

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions on updating our fireplace... This is our finished look....we are happy with the end result!