I think the beams are too dark; they distract from everything else. I really like what you've done to the FP; can you also white wash the beams to match?

Photos aren't always accurate, but what seems off is the color undertones in the brick vs the floor.

@chispa-you might be right! What undertone would you suggest? The current gives off a gray hue.

Yep! The color of the brick does not work. Are you trying to mix brown/tan/beige tones with white/grey tones?

I like the idea of horizontal truss beams; as it is now, your room looks like a chapel to me.

@littlebug zone 5 missouri. I’m not sure! The old brown brick was not becoming at all so we watched a video on whitewashing but not sure we did it completely right! I’m open to suggestions.

A little sloppy, but here are a few variations to give you a feel for things. Lightened all the beams, lightened beams but removed the middle one, left the beams dark but removed the middle beam.

You went too far to try to update. You should of done the brick or the built ins, not both. I think you painted and white washed the warmth out of the room. Leave the beams alone and painting the mantel white will only make it worse. The easiest thing you can do is reverse the painted built ins. Strip the paint off and stain to the same as the beams. Painting the brick all white will only make it worse.

I like it; I think it looks very pretty & fresh!

I would balance out those dark beams above w/ dark furniture & accessories in similar shades below. If you really like that painting, it could be your cue for color choices.

Guessing I'm the odd man out here...

I think your room is wonderful - I love the drama of the height of the wall and the beams. I think you did the right thing whitewashing and painting the built-ins. They would have looked like two black holes had you left them dark.

It seems the new finish on the brick could be a bit more even. Not sure how to accomplish that, but maybe another coat of whatever you did. I found these two pics, one with the beams dark, the other with them lightened. Just for you to consider. Of course, the first one isn't painted brick, but could be about the tone of yours if they were lightened and evened out.

I like how they added the cross beams just across the fireplace and not in the rest of the room, but don't think that could work in your configuration. I might just paint the beams light and leave the soaring ceiling as is. It's nice with the light mantel piece as well.

You might want to use another coat on the fireplace. Please do not paint it, that just gives a flat unnatural look. Try using light brown (or dark tan) paint, 1 part paint, to 3 parts water, paint on with large brush, and have a lot of rags, to wipe it down. It will tone the gray look, down to a tanish, brownish color. Not a dark color brown though, more of a lighter, brown. You do not want it to have a flat painted look. Do it in about 3 foot squares, and then wipe down. You dont want it to start to dry before wiping.

I wouldn't do the cross beams; it will make the ceiling too heavy. I love what you have completed so far. It does seem like the sofa/love seat/rug colors fight with the rest of the room.

@cat_ky, do you paint the grout too?

Yes I do. I dont wipe the paint off the grout, like I do the bricks, so grout ends up a more solid color. Try to pick a color that blends with your flooring, and also your gorgeous beams and mantle