That brick is very dark. I'd like to see the whole place--walls, brick, rug--lighter and more neutral.

Lovely room. Great furnishings. The natural brick works in that space. I would replace the mantel with something more substantial and rearrange the furniture to take advantage of the beautiful views. I wouldn’t add draperies.

I love your blue rug but do agree it's dark in the space. That blue, faded, would be perfect, imo. In your daylight shot of the fireplace, some of your brick looks red on my monitor and I can't help but think red and blue make for a dynamic duo. Add white walls and I think the room would sing. No, it wouldn't look like a crayola box because we're talking hints of the blue and red. Your home is beautiful. Love your wood ceiling and gorgeous views. Enjoy!

This is just gorgeous! My vote is for leaving the brick natural, no paint! A new mantle, a more "white" wall color possibly....but a new rug might negate the necessity for that. The blue rug is the only thing I don't care for in this space. Rearrange to take advantage of the view, no draperies. LOVE!

you guys are great, thanks for the ideas and kind words. I'm starting to warm (no pun intended here, hahah) of changing out the rug for something much more neutral. I think that would make a huge difference, and it probably makes sense to do that before turning to anything more drastic with those bricks. But I like the lightened up ideas that groveraxel had on the smear or lightened brick. But perhaps the rug will make enough of a difference, so I will take it one step at a time. I think adding the more substantial mantle would make a huge difference too. Appreciate the link about the slipcover mantle too, that seems like an excellent project for my handy husband. :-) :-) It may not be immediate, but I can post updated photos as we make some progress.

I am also intrigued by the idea of rotating the sectional towards the windows. I will try it out later this week.

The wood work above the fireplace is a really cool idea, but that's out of my husband's capabilities (I think), and there's more bathrooms that deserve the $ first before doing that. Pink_Peony -- I love the idea of adding lights, but is this feasible (aka, not hugely expensive) on brick fireplace? (there's also second brick fireplace on the other side, in a separate master bedroom - if that makes any difference). I was wondering if there are even some bright-enough LED + battery sconces out there, but I haven't looked.

looking at sll the photos, I would definitely add my voice to leaving the lovely brick alone. It works so well with the wood ceilings and trim. your very cool chairs work, too. do turn the sofa to the windows, and try the rug in a bedroom, perhaps.
you found a beautiful home. enjoy it.

A couple thoughts, take a close look at the photos of the other updated darker brick photos, and research some more updated houses with a lot of wood. What I’m seeing in the updates of houses that have wood ceilings and beams, and large dark fireplaces etc. is that the windows and baseboard, doors and trim are all painted a white. If you and your husband are handy, this is a good project and you could try it in the bedroom with the brick to start, this will give you confidence for the rest. This seems to brighten The entire home while showcasing the wood ceiling and beams etc. and modernizing the home.

So glad you’re rethinking the rug, it is beautiful, but not for this space. If you change your seating arrangement as suggested those lovely chairs may be spared as they won’t get lost against the fireplace.

I love your house & the brick fireplace. I agree with the comments about getting better lighting below the ceiling level. I think a Kilim rug inwarmer ( or a mix ) geometric tones would look great in there. Check our Rejuvenation.com for some inspiration, I just ordered two of theirs.

If the rug is new and is remaining as you stated, I would try to make it work. Navy and white striped pillows on the chairs, large artwork with blue in it over the fireplace, navy throw, navy pillows on the sofa...

I would add a floor lamp (or 2) with a large fabric shade. I feel the room needs more textural fabric, and human level lighting.

Do not paint the fireplace. I moved into my home six years ago and had the same dilemma. Best advice I ever received was to live with what you have long enough to find out how you live in the home before making changes you may regret.

Some different iterations of walls, brick, trim:

I think blue can be successfully integrated into your design as in the above photos.

To my eye the sofa and rug clash. You might consider recovering the sofa in white or use the rug elsewhere.

Looks pink. Probably just my computer.

Appreciate the feedback on waiting to paint. :-)

goveraxle - these inspiration photos of some large artwork are great, would you mind putting one up there on the red brick wall just for a comparison if I don't smear.

Oak trim comments - I know... but there is just SO much of it in the house, I can't even wrap my head around the time needed to paint (did I mention I have a 2 year old?) ;-) Maybe something for the future, but I'm trying to embrace it for the time being. And hope in the meantime it rolls back into fashion? I honestly don't hate it, after living with it. Hides all the bumps and scratches much better than the white trim in my last house.

Rug - yes, I think I can repurpose it in another bedroom (which will bump up the need to paint it, hello cascading projects!).... but I needed one in another room eventually. I like the rug, but it is too electric blue for this room. I purchased thinking it would be deeper navy, and even then, it would have been too dark now that I see some ideas with lighter rugs... I am going to post a few ideas for rugs shortly, that I've been eying. If anyone has preferences let me know! It needs to be an inexpensive one for the size (10x14 or maybe 9x12 depending on what I figure out with furniture orientation); with three boys, I just don't want to feel bad about staining a $$$$ rug.

Any feedback on rugs, 1, 2 or 3? I kind of like the last one! But should I stay away from that much pattern?

Agreed, inexpensive rug would be best for growing family. I love the original look of the room. I would stay within the homes era when considering art work. I liked what you had originally. Some art looks out of place because coloration is off as in the rug.

Maybe try looking up color that were popular in the year of your home. Your existing furniture is neutral so accent colors in the birth year of your home should fit right in brick and all.

If grey is what you are considering, a charcoal would work well.

I painted my fireplace and I love it but for your house the brick looks great. Beautiful house!

Amanda, here is artwork on nonsmeared brick:

Love your home. I like the brick and wood trim. It goes with the setting. I also like the bold geometric rug.

I think your oak trim is beautiful with your brick. Really suits the home and is a standout feature. Groveraxle's latest mockups are great. Subtle geometric pattern in a neutral rug. I was leafing through European decor mags today and spotted a lot of wood and natural brick in the English ones. When the original features of a home are beautiful, I think it's nice to appreciate them as they are. Some brick walls are fugly and I understand the urge to paint them but you've got a classic brick colour going.

I guess I'm the odd one because I'd do black and a warm, wood mantel

I like how they did the wood around the hearth

design elements

White is always an option too

if you left it, you could always do a large mantel and match the wood (like your ceiling) above it.

You need to layer some lighting in. So I mean side table lights and floor lamps. I have no idea where your plug ins are. So get some lamps that have light coloured shades that throw a lot of light both out and up.

UPDATE, layout option 2

Not sure it works due to the size of this sectional.... From the dining room the sitting area looks totally closed off. Also, need to maintain a walkway from out front door so I can’t push it back too far to wall/stairs AND to keep at least a small gap to walk through on the far left side (below where 2 pics are currently lodged). Ideally I'd also fit in a really narrow console too on that walk through, since I don't really like so much of the back of the couch, exposed. See last picture with front door (and door to guest room).

Thoughts?

I agree, that layout does not work..the first one is much better. if you put the sectional back where it was, try pulling it out about 1’ to 1.5’ from the window/wall and see what you think, it may be more centered.

What is the door beside the fireplace? Thinking if it can be blocked how to mask it a bit..

Amanda, I have rug #1 (9x12) in your photos. Also have a lot of red colored wood in my living room, beams, large windows, the same color of leather chairs as you, and a similar color sofa. We have sage colored walls, but I really like the rug. I take it outside and use a carpet cleaner on it every spring. The dog tends to eat her peanut butter filled Kong on it, but it takes well to stain removers. I can take a picture of how it looks tonight.

Kaitlin - that would be great thanks! Rug one was my preferred, more neutral choice.

Sandra - good thought I will give that a try when I push it back later today. Door unfortunately can’t be blocked. It’s the only access to our downstairs guest room.

Beth H - I love the boldness of the back fireplace. Thank you for those pics. If my fireplace was smaller I would really think about going in that direction, it’s very striking with the wood. But.... I am a little worried about such a large dark wall. ??

Several comments re Lighting - yes, I am definitely thinking of adding some lamps once we get the other pieces in place.

Thanks for all the feedback...

Just to update, Went back into my order history and not the same rug, but similar.

I'll still take a picture of mine though.

That arrangement is closing off the space and creating a narrow walkway to the door...not liking it. Better before.

I also like the mock-up that groveraxle did showing the mortar wash or “German smear” technique on the brick. It may be something to consider to brighten up the space while still leaving some of the original brick exposed.

well, I will weigh in, again. I don't love the german schmear. makes the fireplace look too pink.
the fireplace is beautiful, as it is. it works with the rest of your beautiful home.

I didn’t read thru all the comments but my sister in law had her fireplace painted white then they sanded it a bit to distress it and it looks beautiful!

Also saw this on Instagram yesterday. They had their house painted with Classico limewash

thanks what a difference Patty!

groveraxle - thanks for those extra images with current fireplace. going to talk to my husband about what we want to do, it helps to have these visuals!

I was actually not a huge fan of the schemer before seeing the mock up of my room. It's something I'm considering but I'm going to start with rug change out.

Here’s a more natural look you might like. Less white, with more exposed brick.

Thanks all! Here’s a few updates. The suggestion to pull the sofa from the wall (and I actually scooted it forward to) and change our the rug — we’re both spot on. New picture attached, as a work in progress. Plus new coffee table I had ordered is finally here!

Still considering a schemer. Husband leans towards yes. I am going to wait a bit longer before we decide.

Looking good! Don't forget to beef up the mantel. I think that will make a big difference as well. Are you still planning on painting the walls? It's a beautiful room and that brick wall is a stunner, imo. I'd be tempted to add some red and blue pillows on the chairs and couch.

Love the changes! Great job. I think a subtle whitewash on the brick would be perfect.....

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Looking good!! And nicely furniture balanced. I’m with your husband on the gentle whitewash, but also agree on waiting a little while First. It may make a difference on the rug you choose as well, sooo, make sure that if you do white wash you can exchange your rug..right now it’s really good, but you may choose more color once it’s whitewashed.

furniture looks great.

as for the fireplace, that mantel is just so wimpy. and try a nice print of some sort.

I did a botanical. It's simple and the green really sets off the red brick. but a thick, reclaimed piece of wood looks much better. you need something w/some heft since the brick takes the entire wall.

try a marble/wood round table.

put some logs in your basket, try a potted plant (in a black/white pot) over by the window.

Thanks all!
Yes the mantle is next on the list. And I want to find some art to prop up on the mantle as suggested.... I threw the mirror up there temporarily.
A plant in the corner is a great idea, thanks Beth!