I love the old house character of it. I would keep the wood as is, but add a mirror between the sconces and tile over the brick with something light to brighten up the space.

How funny, I would keep the brick and lighten the cabinets!

I think the wood and brick are consistent with the period of the home, but the carpet and plain ceiling do not relate to the fireplace, and result is the mismatch. Adding wood at the ceiling level and adding a wood, wood look or wood tone at the floor instead of the carpet would make the room look cohesive and consistent.

I love the wood that is on your fireplace! I understand completely about not liking the red brick on the fireplace because I have it on my fireplace in the living room. I'm going to lighten my brick by painting it and you may want to paint the brick a lighter color. I would suggest an off white or creamy color because it will look great against that beautiful wood! What color are your walls? I would also paint them a light, warm color like cream or off white. If they are just plain white, it could be a reason why the room seems off.

Add doors to the right side shelves to clean up and simplify the wall. Then paint out the wood. You are probably bothered by it because you don't like the dated look. With that wood look white, then wood beams and wood floor would look great.

TY Bev, we've painted the walls BM Sailcloth, and the same for most of the other rooms. The carpet was here, and we will pull it up and replace with hardwood at some point. I've tried a mirror between sconces, and didn't like it, maybe wrong mirror? The sconces & Chandelier are new additions. I think your idea to paint the brick is a good one.

The table and the wood are complimentary. A german schmear would give the bricks more of an aged look. It is a sort of whitewash.
I really like the light above your table but I would spray it flat black to go more with the chairs and replace the sconces on the fireplace with a lantern style.
Maybe a nice picture instead of mirror.
I will look for sample pictures.

Do not paint the wood or fireplace! Those are beautiful elements that cannot be replicated today.

i would change the chandelier and sconces to period lighting. Do a search for the TIn Bin in Neffsville, PA. Change the area rug to a braided rug. Change the window treatments to something from that period.

The room is charming.

I think what is missing is a ceiling treatment and wood flooring.

I agree, hang some art over the mantle. Definitely not a metallic mirror, there's enough metal already.

What a lovely house. I'm having a hard time with the modern light fixtures. I would change them to more period ones. I think the FP, wood & walls are perfect with the rug, table & chairs in the room. Add a good size plein air painting above the mantle & all will be quite perfect.

I agree with Diggin........the light fixture really looks out of place. I would replace it and the sconces with black fixtures. A braided rug would be perfect. Remove the items from the shelf. Add a large piece of art.

Another example of what the German Shmear would/could look like. I love the look of your wooden wall. I wouldn't paint it.

Clock, crocks, greenery, photo collage

Forgot picture

Another inspiration for mantle.

I think white and light green/light blue accessories in the bookshelf would brighten the room. I love the room. You are so lucky!

Once you paint the brick, it is over. Clean it up and enhance it with your mantel décor.

Well done, Susan, you've outdone yourself this time.

OMG, "dining" misspelled twice by the OP and no one points it out. You are all way too polite.

People do it alot on Houzz, we are used to it. Polite and on task, that's Houzzers!

What a fabulous room. The wood is what makes it that. You could improve on it by removing all the small and not well placed items on the mantle as well as the shelves. You need a large oil painting on the mantle that makes a statement and maybe some pottery . The shelves seem to have two of the same items next to each other and that looks odd. A classic large Dutch chandelier would be perfect and of course wood floors. Great room that can still be improved with just a little change.

HI -- @Home Reborn -- It is not a matter of us being " too polite " ... it is a matter of this site being about design questions and comments and not about spelling or grammar . This is an international website used by many different people so we generally don't fuss about spelling mistakes etc. The misspelling of "dining" is very common by well educated and not.

Type very fast, thinking of multiple strategies for an answer, do this repeatedly and you will have typos. More typing, more typos.

Thanks, Tribble. Your approval is so nice.

Guess which Pro I won't be using!

I had fun looking for Civil War era fireplaces online! Here's a few pictures for you.

You could paint all the paneling white or a fun, old-fashioned, rich color and get black hinges and latches. A beautiful piece of art over the fireplace would be wonderful and that one sconce could be replaced with two wrought iron ones to flank the art. I also think some beams across the ceiling would be wonderful ;)

With so many people using small devices to post on here, it's very easy to make spelling mistakes. It's offensive that someone feels the need to point it out.

It is quite a challenge using an ipad. The SHOP feature on Houzz is a great resource but is really annoying at times. I find myself making multiple posts either because I am inept or it's not possible. Spelling does get overlooked and who cares?

Diane, I missed your comment that the chandelier is recent. It really is not a good pick for the room. Is it too late for an exchange? Or perhaps someone you know needs a new one? I am sure that if you add some art over FP and get a chandelier that is better suited for the room, you will be very happy.