Agree with Sophie.

Yes, chalk paint would be great?

I didn't mean for the question mark at the end.

The question mark is entirely appropriate. As in, chalk paint? Seriously? LOL!

I would paint it and slurry the brick.

Your couch is pretty far from farmhouse style. Same with your rugs and curtains

wait till you get things in place and see how the dark leather looks with the wood. It might look ok together tho take the wavy decorative pieces off the bookcases.

But if you do want a farmhouse look, you probably need to start fresh with everything. Or paint the bookcases (with lots of oil based primer or BIN to cover those knots) and get s new couch

Or post some inspiration pics here of what you want it to look like and we can help you nudge it towards that.

Looking at them again, they aren't that bad. Either paint the walls a nice warm soft white as well as the brick and leave the rest wood, or paint the bookcases white. But take of the wavy junk.

Here are some inspo pics

I agree with taking the wavy pieces off, although you may not be able to do that easily on the bookcases.

please don't paint the brick. It looks like it is in nice shape, if you replace the fireplace screen and remove all of the previous owners knick knacks, it will look more contemporary. I'm not sure why people think that painted brick is farmhouse style. I actually live around farms, and not one I've ever been in has painted brick.

Before you do anything, what are you doing with the floors? Are you pulling up the carpeting or leaving it? If you're going to go with hardwood floors, it would make sense to paint out the wood (after removing the wavy pieces) in a creamy white. If you're keeping the carpeting, I'd suggest living in the room for a while to get the feel of it. Your sofa is very contemporary -- and if you want that look back without major renovation, you might consider painting the brick white and painting the built-ins black or charcoal. It's a very cozy room!

I agree with Sophie! What you have is dark and dated. Start over.

Floors are the issue. As in the carpet probably goes to the built ins and not under them. If you want the long term solution, tear the entire builtin off, address flooring to hardwood, and at least paint out brick and get a new fireplace insert. Decide too, whether you want a raised hearth before a flooring change.

Remove the curly molding. Take off the cabinet doors. Then paint the back of the cabinets.

Really the built ins are in good shape and they would be so expensive to rebuild. And it would be such a waste of money and materials.

So yeas, get rid of the rug. Put in hardwood or laminate. If you are on a budget, look at the copycat chic blog. They give great ideas on how to get higher end looks for less.

So we will be getting new curtains, replacing the carpet with wood looking laminate, and new rugs.

I can't get a new couch right now. But I do have an oversized cream colored chair and ottoman that will be added to the room. As well as a recliner that I will be getting a slip cover for. I was planning on getting cream colored pillows with different textures for the couch.

We don't want the expense of removing and replacing the built ins. I don't really like the wavy part but I don't know how we would get rid of that without messing up the build ins.

I like the picture of the built in with the ship lap. Maybe painting them white and adding shiplap to the back.

Best picture I have of the oversized chair and recliner. I am definitely getting a white, off white or tan colored slip cover for the recliner.

I think the bookcases are in great shape but I would make one alteration with a good carpenter remove the curly-q "skirts" on the bookcases. I would also consider staining them darker if you are wanting a rustic/modern chic. Look at installing LED tape lighting in the book cases and putting a colored board in the back for a pop of color. As another said, those built ins would cost a fortune today. Make sure the lighting in the room is up to date and ditch the carpet in favor of wide plank flooring. Painting everything WHITE is starting to fade as a trend. You have a black sofa which would look great with the elements of the room. Before I painted the woodwork white, I would play with the room. Once you paint the wood white, there is NO GOING back.