What is the look you really want? Do you have an inspiration photo?

Love the white-wash! I agree with hatetoshop that you should look around on Houzz and other sites and see what designs inspire you.

I agree the white wash is a big improvement. I would paint the back of the bookcases white to match the walls they look pinky tan now

The whitewash looks great as is! I think the mantle might need to change in finish or be removed. And agreed with the above comments and your thoughts on painting the backs of the bookcases.

Personally I don’t care for the look. But I tend to like a contemporary look n I’m just not getting that feeling with the whitewash I probably would just dry wall over the brick, or if that’s to much then I’d paint it a solid white. I’d get rid of the mantle surround thing n either have nothing or just a nice reclaimed wood for the mantle itself. And I’d get rid of the doors where the bookcases are, either replace them or do away with them altogether. Good luck, you’ll figure out what’s right for you. :).

I'd eliminate the surround and give it another coat of white wash that's not so diluted this time. Usually not a crown fan, so I'd remove or at least paint it out.

Thank you all for your comments!!! I am going to go ahead and try to get the backs of the bookshelves painted white this coming week and then live with it for a little while.

• When I was whitewashing it, I was actually wondering if there was brick behind the mantle. It looks to just be stuck on with grout around it... the previous owner left the name of who did/has fixed the fireplace so I will call and do some research on the mantle. Maybe there is brick behind it, in which case I can take it off and do a shelf.
• I was thinking to myself that I should build new doors for the bookshelf. Just planks with a frame. Maybe with a Z-brace. (I was definitely going to do that if I painted the built-ins).

Right now, I am going to just focus on getting the kids' rooms decorated and organized since they are the only rooms that don't need painting. Then I will be up to my eyeballs in painters tape. The previous owners were in their 80's and very cute but the wife's style was not my style and every room on the first floor has one pale pink wall =/ When the first floor is painted, I will circle back to the fireplace problem.

Great comments. Thank you all for your ideas.

White washing, Annie Sloan chalk paint, and 1/4 round the Houzz fix for everything.

Whenever I see any of the above I know it is a quick fix covering something.

Pull that mantle off as it looks like DIY gone wrong. Install a nice chunky vertical mantle. Paint the bricks a solid color or save to buy modern tiles.

Restain or paint the cabinets. You have a good start there it just needs modern finishes.

I understand budget dictates what can be done. Search Craigslist as it is full of ads for extra materials and changed minds products. You can get tiles,mantle, etc at a fraction of its cost. Sometimes the hunt becomes part of the fun.

Choose a picture of a room you like and replicate it using more cost conscious materials but stay away from quick fix products.

Your skills are impressive. And so most of your gut feelings. Yes, replace the oak crown moulding with a white one. This color makes the room look confined.

The bricks look nice now, but it wouldn't hurt to whitewash once again. For the room still gets rather dark because of it.

The warm oak somehow doesn't fit too well with the darker brown of your furnishings. So I myself rather would have the surroundings white. So paint those bookshelves white. But where the peachy pink is now, I would try find a nice light greyish color of the brick wall to paint the walls with.

For a more contemporary look, take the mantel off. But with the bricks better white washed it might indeed look very nice to have the mantel white as well, arduous work it may be though.

Personally I like a mirror above the mantel and some candles on either side. For the white and the mirror look at this picture. I would go for more sturdy candles though:

Are those your children? You could make two places for the children on each side of the fireplace. Their table, their art in their niche, their place to retreat when they draw. Just a thought...

Have fun!

Fireplace surround/mantel is an add on which just doesn’t work (size, style, color). Carefully remove it and put it on Craig’s List or however you like to buy and sell. It will be gone in a flash.

I don’t like the white wash…just my reaction…were it my house, I would paint the bricks black, leave built-ins as is, except for the backs which I would paint the wall color.

Willow Living Room · More Info

I like the white wash. I also like the doors. I would replace the columns on the mantel. Your columns are too small and not proportionate. The picture below shows a mantel that feels balanced. I would also paint the wall behind the shelves and the crown molding.

West University New Orleans · More Info