redo completely the fireplace saving the built ins and mantel, but painting them

paint it, paint the brass black maybe think about painting the builtins

I would drywall over the upper part, have a new mantle built something without a medallion). & reface or paint or leave the brick as is if you like it. Depending upon how you feel about the wood in the bookshelves either paint or leave as is. I'd get a new screen also.

Big budget? Hire a professional to guide you. Small budget? Remove the book cases and that remove that crazy mantel and paint the brick and the fireplace doors.

Remove the bottom part of the mantle and replace iwth plain piece of wood. Do as Bailey R says and paint the bottom or reface the bottom with neutral tile and sheet rock the upper part at the mantle line, tape, texture and paint.

This would be what it will look like....and copy the mirror and hanging pendant lamp and plant/flowers for a beau coup WOW look!

I'd have to see more of the room and your house to make sure that any changes would blend in with the style you have in your other rooms. Also, would like to see a photo of the whole fireplace and see how the upper part of it fills the room.

Ok _ will post another one. Just for everyone's info, I am absolutely anti-painted brick. I might be willing to dry wall over it, though. I just am not sure how it'd look.

It's hard to say without seeing the rest of the room (especially the high ceiling) or the house, or knowing your taste. But the brick itself is attractive, to my eyes. I like brick and I wouldn't take it away to make the room the standard average transitional style. I also like the color of the blue chairs with the brick.

The floor and walls in contrast to the furniture and brick, and I'd add some color there. Not dark, but more color than what you have. And I agree with others who have said that the proportion of the mantle seems off. The bookshelves are attractive. I would take the baskets off the top and leave it bare, to keep the eye lower in the room. The room could use better lighting and drapes.

A few small things. Paint the fireplace surround black. I really like the picture over the fireplace but takes the eye too high in that location. Paint the frame darker and hang it on the wall facing the window. Style the new mantle with something lower.

Move the sofa and chairs closer to each other, and the coffee table in the middle. Try 20 inches from the sofa or chair to the coffee table.

Paint the brick white all the way to the ceiling. Remove the mantel and especially the wagon wheel.

Enclose the shelves by adding doors to make closed cabinets also painted white..

The brick on it's own isn't terrible, in my opinion (although they totally choose the wrong stain to go with this brick)- it's not like it's a super outdated brick, and it goes well with my painting and my couch, but I'm not exactly attached to it. I will not paint it, however - I really don't like painted brick and it's too contemporary anyway. I'm thinking of making a new mantel - larger, that comes down the sides (no medallion!) Don't know whether to paint it or stain it though

hnhouser...Cool...You did ask what would "we" do with it.

For some reason, my photos didn't post before, it seems. Here's how tall the fireplace is, and a few photos from the rest of my house, which is traditional, but not flowery. More masculine - English club, like....equestrian, although I don't have lots of horse stuff.

Yeah - I've thought of that - I just am not sure how this particular brick will look with white mantel and built ins. There's not a hint of white in the brick or grout and i'm afraid the contrast will be too much. You're first photo is fairly close to the color of my brick and that does look nice. I think my brick might be a bit darker though.

I'd replace the two hutch-like things because the upper shelving, being shallower than the fireplace chimney, get lost in the shadows. A built-in armoire with deep shelving above (terminating at 10'-12') might look nice. I don't think anyone likes so much brickwork in such tall rooms. The best response, I've seen, is when a loft was built across it that was reached by a circular wrought iron stair to on side of the fireplace.

I like the brick with your light walls and floors. I would just change out the mantle to a simpler style, and then update the handles on your builtin cabinets. You might even be able to reuse your current mantle with the bottom portion cut off. I also like the wood on your cabinets, but you might consider painting the back only in the same color as your walls, which would brighten the shelves but retain the warm wood look.

The main problem is the gigantic mantel. The second is that the built ins look puny compared to the FP. I wish the shelves were as deep as the FP. Are you thinking of painting in this room at all? I think white for the built ins is a good step, and a new mantel could be white or wood. Then some bolder styling of the stuff on the built ins.

Pool Habit,

I agree the shelves are too small - They'd be SUPER deep though if I bring them forward to meet the edge of the brick. I've thought about painting all of the wood white, but not sure that this brick will look good with white. It has not a single speck of white in the brick.

I agree with pool habit - the scale is wrong. The brick isn't awful, but there is way too much and the overall bulk is unappealing.


Changing out the mantle to a sort of rustic single big beam would be a good inexpensive fix. But I think it would be worth getting estimates to re-do the whole thing (tearing out the brick and starting from scratch).

I think for the equestrain look you don't need heaps of horse stuff per se, maybe a couple of horse ornaments and a horsey artwork. What about a big horse picture, portrait orientation to cover some of the brick? I would pain the bookcases white and get a new mantle

To me your fireplace and bookshelves are beautiful. Could you remove some items from bookshelves and simplify a bit? Maybe remove painting, change knobs on doors? Just look at it a different way before you do anything.

The wood and brick are a good look for the English club vibe. I wouldn't paint anything white. Look to your own dining room for inspiration.

Thanks for posting more photos.

I know you have mentioned you don't want to paint the brick as it is too contemporary but just thought I'd share a visual of white washing it which isn't making it contemporary. I'm not saying to do it or not but just thought I'd give you another option of a way to paint it. Note the painted cabinets and mantel.

Paint the cabinets the same as your kitchen cabinets. You can spray your brass black and replace it with a purchased black screen later. Paint the mantel cabinet color as well to start. You may be able to add a panel or something over that medallion instead of replacing the entire thing. I always use oil based paint on woodwork. It looks and feels better that latex. For a gallon of primer, a gallon of paint, and some spray paint - you can see how you like it for little investment and without ripping anything out. Love your house!

Thank you, Kay!

The mantel and book cases look out dated. to make the monstrosity not so monsterous..try thinging about painting the wall it is on an accent color. something darker like in dining. I see backs of shelves r light. paint same as wall or could put nice wall paper. (grass cloth is nice) then I would stain wood of book cases darker or even do same color as walls but in a satin finish - not real shiny. the wall should be an eggshell. the contrast in finishes will give texture. this could tone down the stark contrast between the actually nice brick and the white wall. the mantel, definitely change it and the fireplace screen. Look forward to seeing what u decide.

I agree with calidesign and mdias591. Those basic changes will make a big difference. Simplfy/style the bookcase arrangement, center the coffee table on the fireplace box, pull the couch away from the wall 18-20 inches from the coffee table, pull the chairs up also 18-20 inches from coffee table. The room is really nice and will be even better with a few tweaks!

Since you mention equestrian / and your comments are good / I lived in the country once where such houses are fab. Some even had real horses... ;-)

I see nothing wrong with your mantel's design. I agree about de-cluttering in cases. Use authentic iron door handles.... make it real, and what you really like.

Not sure how visible the kitchen is -- in straight-on view?

Oh, and safe painting of the brass fire surround... want to mention that the wood of the mantel looks so rich - is it cherry? maybe repeating the couch's blue in an end table, painted/stained....

The mantel has to go.....replace with a beefy beam. Do not paint your brick. Remove everything from your shelves and restyle them. Paint the walls a slightly richer " tan"......nothing gray. Change the cabinet hardware on the built-ins.

I would replace the coffee table with something different. I love the painting above the fireplace.

Your painting now over mantel -- would you want it somewhere else for a change: over sofa or?? And buy 'cool' mirror[s] for brick.... transitional.

Mention of sides: here's a 'squat/short' mantel, but the ceiling is low... so idk.

Wood stain of mantel is nice. Try a salvaged item or 2 above yours?

Would a stick-straight mantel be much better? It would look different. This is roughed up though. You could alter yours do you think? This is $275.

Paint the wall above each bookcase a deep blue to complement your chairs. Replace the short baskets with something taller. Add an uplight on top of each bookcase. Perhaps "band" the brick every three feet or so with a 2.5" back metal band. Try salvaging just the upper part of the mantel. It may be too small for the height of the fireplace, but worth a try. If the brass is paintable (I'll have to look into that myself - I would be concerned that it wouldn't stand up to the heat) give it a go.

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-7778830-Enamel-Bar-B-Que-12-Ounce/dp/B0010O0C94

High heat black paint

Replace the brass fireplace screen with black. Pair or wallpaper back of built in, and remove some contents to light that area

Thank you, everyone! Thanks for the compliments on the painting, I painted it myself. So many great ideas! Thanks again!

I would Change the mantle. The one you have is way too big. I would also replace the gold insert with a black one. I love the book cases but would replace the knobs on the lower cabinets. I think the rest of the room looks great.

You have a number of light colors in your home, from the sideboard in the dining room to the walls and rugs in the living room. I would pick one, probably the wall color, and replace the existing units flanking the fireplace with something simple, much taller, painted that color. I would then artfully stage it, with ample empty space. I think that will reduce the bulk of the fireplace, let the whole area breathe and create an Interestingly strong vertical.

For the fireplace itself, other posters have provided many options.

Depending upon what the wall looks like after all changes, decide if the painting stays or is replaced.

I would paint the bookcases and the fireplace white and remove the mantel. Use a tall vertical piece above the fireplace - artwork or decorative wall accent. Without seeing the rest of the space you may consider moving the sofa opposite the fireplace and placing the blue chairs on either side of the fireplace. Maybe try this first, it may help to take the attention away from the fireplace wall.

I see houzz photos around with a large mantel so I don't get that. If anything I'd try heightening the look with art that goes vertically... in a way, it seems squat, like the photos of the mantel I posted......

We crossed, but I like 'create a strong vertical'!

I nice iron chandelier to replace your ceiling fan would go a long way to break up the visual expanse of brick...

Get rid of the faux mantel. Paint the fireplace and shelving units the same as the walls.

Safe to paint chalk paint there? with a driftwood grey type color...whatever is more pleasingly neutral?

https://www.anniesloan.com/annie-sloan-products/paints/chalk-paint/mini-project-pack.html