Remove the upper bookcases and add a simple mantle on fireplace.

I think it would be more unified if you painted the fireplace brick and cabinets the same color. (Obviously, appropriate types of paint for each.) I might suggest removing the chair rail trim from around the room. It tends to visually make the room feel less tall. Good luck with your project!

Paint the built ins and fireplace white.

I'm agreeing with Beverly's suggestion of both white, but I think you might also consider removing the top shelves because those windows look so squashed in. I've done a chop/don't chop option -- forgive me not painting the cabs etc white, but I'm emerging from a deep bronchitis crisis and believe me you wouldn't want tos ee the mess. But Beverly's pics do a really good job of giving the look.

I think I like "chop". On each side you'd have to concentrate the taller decorative items to the outside -- I'm thinking a tall narrow painting hung really low on on side and perhaps a vase and beautiful branch stretching really high on the other. Remember the best branches are found by you in woods or forests or begging off tree pruners in parks ... or just from your own trees in your own garden..

Thank you for all these great ideas! And it was so helpful to see the cabinets chopped (@Rina) - thank you! We had considered mounting the TV over the fireplace, anywhere else you would suggest we put it? We didn't know if it would look odd if we put it on/in one of the cabinets.

Beverly's suggestion is where we were going. It would look much better with an all white theme. Look to one of our designs we included below. Notice the all white fireplace?

An Open Concept Kitchen and Living Space · More Info

An Open Concept Kitchen and Living Space · More Info