I think you may have to cover the brick with something-otherwise from everything you describe - it will remain the one very dated image in the room. Are you going to move the TV over the fireplace?

So many people are afraid to paint their natural brick but it really brings a fresh new look. Take your wall cover and take it 1 or 2 shades deeper for the brick. Keep your mantle a crisp white to match window trim.

The tv will go on a cabinet along the wall to the right of the fireplace. No sure if I will put it on the cabinet or hang abve it. The style of the mantle is more a problem to me than the brick. painting the brick is an option, but I think the mantle has to go.

Tear out mantle and paint brick same color as new wall color. If you don't like it then replace it. Will save you a few thousand $.

However, if you have a few thousand---- take away the mantle ,cover all the brick and the wall in granite of your choice, now thats an update !

I vote stacked stone.

I would change your mantle out for a more classic one- get rid of any brass on the fireplace and if you wanted you could white wash or paint the bricks.- Though I would try painting mantle and bricks first to see if that helps in the over all design before ripping out anything. Another option-You could paint the mantle a dark brown and the bricks a more earthy color to tie into your terra cotta color.

Hi Pat. If you don't like the surround, follow your gut instinct and lose it. What about facing the brick in limestone or granite tiles, (unpolished) Consider tiling the ENTIRE wall, from hearth to ceiling and corner to corner. (as Rosemary suggested) The projection of the current brick element will provide the mantel and you can simply tile that ledge, which would be more subtle and all about the dimensionality of the structure itself or, depending on your spending plan, something more luxe and current like poured concrete, even a slab of the same stone as the tile. This approach would be more refined or
"finished". I hope this is helpful. Best of luck!

I like the clean lines of both of the fireplaces shown below. You could create such a look with large tile, layed horizontally or vertically. A mantel is optional, as is a raised hearth.
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID

Thank you all for the interesting ideas. I think I have to lose the brick and go with stone if the cost is not overwhelming. I will post pics when completed.