The wall is about 14 feet across. Fireplace is in the center.

I like how you're thinking -- building open bookcases onto the ledge, with appropriate distance from the fire of course. But I'd rather see the TV at eye level and art over the FP. And you have a plug in just the right spot. (Cursor over to see full picture.)

If you want the TV over the fireplace, then you ought want a nice sculpture or even some art on that ledge to break it up. Of course at a safe distance from the fire if you use it. Perhaps some books but too many might get busy?

I like Barnhart Gallery's idea for the shelving. That would look very sharp. I do think a mantle would complete the wall, whether you decide on art or a TV. I have attached a pic of a cool brick wall/mantle combination.

I actually have a six foot walnut mantle that we took down just to get a look at the bare fireplace, getting ideas.

Barnhart, should the bookcases be painted, stained? Could we put cabinets on the bottom, with open shelves over them? I'm still very unsettled.

We had a plain concrete mantle. We took down the concrete mantle and made a garden bench. We incorporated our wood mantle with our bookcases. Since our fireplace was standard size, common brick, we painted it white and it really pops. Our shelves are all open, with adjustable heights (to accommodate growing grandkids reach). I personally wouldn't paint your brick if it's in as good a shape as it looks in the photo.

Hi sms -- Pardon my quick scribble last night -- without seeing the rest of your space, I just used black so that it would show up and since you already have a black surround and a tv would be black. However a wood in a tone close to your brownest brick would probably be the best bet to transition up from the brick base. (I tried to illustrate in a brown but you could hardly see it -- which in real life might be the most harmonious choice.) If you wanted to disguise the fact that it's built up onto the hearth, you could do this in any color you like: