I think before you consider painting the fireplace I would whitewash it. It would still look natural but it would blend with your room more. A thin 3paint/1water mix would be a good start. You can find examples on utube.

I like the candle idea for the fireplace, but we did something a little different with ours. We took a pretty iron wood holder (but you could use a fancy wrought iron magazine rack instead) and filled it with pretty white birch logs. I think it works well in a decorative fireplace. As you can see, I am a fan of white walls (although mine are actually off-white with contrast moulding), but in your case I might paint the brick white or cover it with drywall, add a pretty mantle piece (you can buy pretty crown moulding "shelves" relatively in expensively), and then paint the walls a a color to offset it and your furniture and complement your lovely floors. The television over the fireplace was a big issue in our house, too, but we opted to keep our pretty mirror instead. Good luck!

Have you considered an ethanol fireplace? No need for gas lines, but you'd have to purchase the fuel when you actually want to use it. I hear it burns clean. I'm considering one for my own house at the moment.

Would you consider mounting the TV above the yellow sideboard? Reposition the armchair next to the fireplace.... can't really judge the distance from the sideboard to the lounges in the photos.

Dry wall fireplace then paint it 2 shades darker than walls. Add a very large cut lass sunburst mirror. Put a nice flat black screen on and then fill the fire bin, with candles. Taller in back ect. For now put TV to left of FP on a dark wood media Ikea has some good price. Even if you go bigger screen it would look better against that corner, than angled . Then square off your furn. Which I love. Bring sofa towards the firepl. Center area rug. Keep chairs like you have them. Coffee table a large art piece tall 4-5 ft put that on other wall next to firepl. Put a light wt woven fabric panels on end of windows. A shade darker than walls. When you dry wall FP make sure you do hearth. So no brick showing.

Put your plant where TV is now. You need a bigger area rug. 8 x10. In darker colors. Room needs some color on floor.

Your ceiling and beam are fine. You just need to give it a more finish look. With bigger rug rearrange furn. Panels and art. TJMax for art, and rug. Ikea also, Z Galleries has great 42" sunburst mirror. Make sure you go big in art etc. nothing small on walls. Painting Firepl in dry wall a darker color will help too.

That side table put by white chair and get larger round table dark wood for yellow chair with a blue base and white shade lamp.

Dining table looks in wrong place can you move closer to kitchen and center. Can you hang chandelier? By the way good
job. Love your dog what breed?

I would add a mantel in reclaimed wood. Put tall candle sticks t one end only. A lantern very tall 20" or more. TJMax has them for hearth. Put tall candle in it. Get the wood blue gray color.

http://www.eastcoastcreativeblog.com/2012/11/brass-fireplace-update.html?m=1
This will give you some idea of whitewashing brick.

Your table looks to small for area. Should add two more chairs on side. Ikea has really good price. Get slip cover for other chairs could go,a print yellow and blue.

If you don't want to buy sunburst mirror the one you have will work. After putting up mantel just lean against wall sitting it on mantel. It's tall enough but still get a seascape for other side. A lot of shades of blue.

Sharpkl, good job on whitewashing. It is very easy to do.,and cheaper than dry wall. I would make it darker though. Mix a dark gray with water. Or even black with water you can get samples and try it. Then your white mirror would pop.

I like the interest the brick adds to the room. I just think it needs to blend more with the room.
I love the white, casual look you have going.

So so many great suggestions! By the way, the walls are Sherman Williams "Repose Grey." As you can see from kitchen we are big Ikea fans and I've had my eye on their media units but not sure how to place. the an us for large art canvases picking up the kitchen colors andThe table is temporary. Not sure what to use that space for since there is a formal dining room off the kitchen and the bar stools. Only the two if us. The plan is for large art canvases picking up kitchen colors, grey, and yellow. Live the sunburst mirror idea and the silver birch logs and will likely try whitewashing bricks and if unsure if that, then try painting a shade of darker grey. Can always do drywall later if that fails.

We painted our brick white and couldn't be happier! The walls are similar to your gray. They are "Wordly Gray" from Sherwin Williams. My husband painted an old childhood dresser including the knobs for our TV stand. Our fireplace didn't pass inspection so we've used candles since moving in last year and it's so charming and cozy without dealing with ashes and heat. I would keep the TV off to the side and concentrate on art for the mantle or use your mirror there with interesting items in front of it. Looks like a great room. Also, our room has four sets of sliding doors and two windows and there were no window coverings or curtain rods. I bought inexpensive drapes at IKEA, including the rods and were able to do the whole room very cheaply! Happy decorating!

Have you ever considered bricking in the entire wall and creating shelving within in the brick? That way, you can balance the television on one side of the fireplace with shelving or storage on the other. My great room has the exact, same wall as yours except it is all brick. The fireplace has become the focal point in the room. It is a wood-burning fireplace with niches in the brick for wood storage. Our television sits on a low stand and is on one side of the fireplace, balanced by a leather bench on the other side.

Dsp14 thanks for the photos of your very similar room! I love the way you have snugged the furniture close to fire. What is on your vaulted ceiling? Wood?

mjoyn, can you please share a photo of your great room? I have a similar niche in the brick for wood storage and I don't know what to do with it. Thanks!

Thanks for the comment, Quickchangeartist! Yes, it is wood and it had a white wash paint on it already when we moved in. So I found a wall color that complemented the ceiling. You could paint your beam a faux finish to look like wood - or not. Our last house had 3 beams like yours only going horizontally against the ceiling and I just left them white against a white ceiling. So many ideas out there!

One more thought...a friend of mine painted her ceiling a very light blue green - similar to Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams. It looks lovely and it would show off your white beam!

I love the picture lauratred posted and can see your room in that picture. The only thing different I'd do is whitewash the brick instead of full on painting it. Also for a quick fix for the t.v., you could frame it in with a white washed frame so it doesn't stand out as much. I'd say that built ins on both sides of the fireplace would be the ultimate "someday" fix for the t.v.

cpn01, here is a photo of our fireplace wall. Ours is a working, wood fireplace that is used all winter long. Our wood boxes are filled with wood. The shelves are built into the brick and are used for books and some favourite pieces. This wall can be seen from the kitchen and dining room.

mjoyn, thanks so much for the lovely photo! This is almost a similar layout to my family room.

I would go with whitewashing as well. I did that with my fireplace and love it. Used a pickling paint from Home Depot, was worried about letting bricks breathe with latex paint

This is a very lovely space. Having the texture of the brick pronounced at the same time changing the color would benefit the room. This could be achieved inexpensively by painting the brick and mortar the same color as the walls then glazing over them with a darker (medium tone) of grey. The glaze should be thinner than paint. Beginning at the top apply with a small roller over approximately 3' X 3' section. Promptly rub in with a soft clean cloth that does not lint. Continue until all brick has been glazed. The beam could also be glazed with the same product. No need to paint it first.

Hanging a large scale colorful textile or sculptural found object over the fireplace would be wonderful. If the mirror is placed over the fireplace an interesting mobile art piece hung from the beam would add some movement to this space and would be reflected in the mirror. If you prefer something more traditional a good sized light or fan/light could someday be hung from the beam halfway between the fireplace wall and the front of the sofa.

If the table and chairs between the living area and kitchen are removed it would allow space for a deeper than usual sofa table. A table top surface within arms reach for drinks or books, etc. A shallow desk, long 30" high bookshelf or simple parson's table works well in this situation. If power is available a lamp in the area would be helpful for evening reading while sitting on the sofa or a chair pulled up to the desk, sofa table, etc.

May your space comfort and inspire you and yours.

Dark beams would look nice.

Just a technical piece -- I have been reading these responses on my iPhone but used my laptop this morning and what a difference!! The iPhone didn't show the "thank you" link, nor all the photos posted by one of the responders.

a lil birdie told me...
I think the room is very textural so the all-white works (no need to paint beams/fireplace/etc)...the fireplace is a beautiful focal point and introduces some natural color and is an organic brick and wood component...putting a hi-tech TV high and in the center of the fireplace makes the "TV" the focal point...don't do it ;)
I really like the Pottery Barn or Ballard design (distressed finish) Media centers and it will dedicate the space already occupied by the TV as the Media area, but doesn't detract from the architecture, visual interest, and candles or fireplace function....

Ann Wendroff, I think part of my problem is that the colors of the bricks clash with the colors I am using. The yellows in the furnishings, but more importantly the color of the maple flooring. I loved the brick until we took up the paper that had been protecting our flooring during renovation and it was just all wrong. Also the busy-ness of the bricks fights with the simplistic contemporary look I'm after. The attached photo may help see the flooring more (I rearranged furniture too but please note that the table is not staying).

Here are some photos showing the adjacent rooms. Yes I know the furniture is not right -- one thing at a time. :-)

I know this is a radical and possibly weird idea, but would it be possible to use the fireplace as the visual frame for the TV/accessories?

Back to FP - try gel or alcohol burning insert.

Lori Bloomer, I'm not sure what you mean?

Amazon sells the inset for $146: http://www.amazon.com/Real-Flame-Inch-Convert-Birch/dp/B004CT0HNU

I was thinking that since that wall has two focal points -- the fireplace and the media center -- you combine them. Since the fireplace doesn't work, it won't be an issue for your electronics. In other words, move your media center to actually sit on the bottom platform of the fireplace, and the brick actually provides a neat contrast visually to the sleek electronics. Of course, I am not a designer, so....

We definitely want to have a fireplace effect at some point -- it won't be gas but I'm liking the ethanol ideas submitted (see pic above). Thanks much.

Quickchangeartist, you may want to consider TVCoverUps. There has been a lot of discussion of placement of TV within this post. I think the best placement for the TV would be above the fireplace. By using TVCoverUps, framed(including your own or the mirror you have) or panel add to the room's decor, and hidden beneath is the TV. Units are available in Automated and Manual lifts and allow for TV tilting hardware(I have posted an image w/ an example of this, allowing you to lower the TV to the best viewing height). TVCoverUps can also be built to accommondate AV Equipment, Speakers, Blu-Ray/DVD, wires and other consoles. Each unit is always built custom to the viewer and space, so it is best to give us a call.

If u Must paint the bricks...I would suggest Annie Sloan chalk paint (different from chalk Board paint)...lots of info on Pinterest ...u will see y...no priming for starters;)

I think from the bright colors adjacent I see what modern effect you want. Painting the fireplace will then be worth it. I've used chalk paint for furniture, annie sloan, not sure you would get the look you want on brick that way. I would stick to masonry paint in a semi-gloss and head off white - not gray unless you go beyond pale - mid-tone / cement gray there as a focal point. sw has classic french gray - You definitely want contrast with your pale gray walls. I think you would like a sofa table that was a writing desk as it gives you another place you can put two chairs, stacks of books, a pair of lamps, upholstered straight dining chairs in a fun fabric, and a bowl of soup and glass of wine on a solo night. A small drop leaf dining table with character painted a soft turquoise might suit you - put the big table in the dining room and use a craigslist china cabinet painted sw bees wax for books to make a library that can occasionally host a crowd for dinner. Serve your loves - make the dining room a craft room if a library isn't your thing.

Have you considered using a faux stone to cover the brick? This would allow you to change the color (You can custom color the veneer) to better match your decor. It is also about 25% cheaper than using real stone and much lighter.

Another option is to mount the television above the fireplace.

Good luck, it looks like a beautiful home!

libradesigneye's suggestions are right on the mark with the deeper tone of grey on the bricks than the present wall color. This will make that fireplace wall THE focal point. And of course all the rest of his plan is very good.

Thanks again all. What about a different color than grey? I'm open for more color on the walls and was thinking of re-painting the wall with the mirrors on it in the living room adjacent (pic above). Maybe I could paint it same as fireplace? What color? The HGTV "Pizazz" palette I took the grey, green, pink from has many choices -- I just want to be able to decorate freely around it. I used milk paint on the yellow sideboard actually. Haven't tried chalk paint, but I know masonry requires special paint in order to adhere. Love libradesigneye's suggestions about the table. We actually have a pembroke table I could try there. It only gets used when one of us needs to spread out something to work on, or when our 4 out-of-town grandkids show up once a year (just left).

Since your accent 'pizzaz' is so saturated, and because for the future you are going to have a mix of contemporary and traditional pieces, the right tone for the fireplace is not another saturated bbrightt. That leaves the neutrals - white, gray. Going to a mid-tone gray on the brick like sw classic french gray is one way to signal your intent to be more modern. White won't do as well, as it might continue the cottage signals II was getting. LLeave the living room white for flow and signal color in art, pillows, curtain panels.

Ditto to libradesigneye. Plan that important splash of color for the décor item/s placed above your fireplace in front of the brick.

That's the beauty of milk/chalk paint it WILL adhere to masonry and retain some of the character of brick (when I want a design element to "disappear" I paint it the same color as the surrounding walls)...u don't want your fireplace to disappear, but blend better...stick with neutrals.
I painted the cinder block wall in my backyard 20 years ago with milk paint...
I don't get modern as your aethetic as much as eclectic...the rolled arm, slip-covered sofas, antique mirror collection, paired with a contemporary kitchen, so keep the color and modern looks for the accessories, refinished pieces that you already have (or find inexpensively on Craigslist...as mentioned in posts) and items that can be changed/rearranged without alot of expense or effort!

An Wendroff, is milk paint and chalk paint the same thing then?

It IS the same idea as far as no chemical resin, natural, and good quality pigment...the obvious difference is I mix water with milk paint powder, and chalk paint is already formulated and comes in cans of paint...

I have used annie sloan chalk paint - a quart goes a long way but masonry really soaks up the paint. Chalk paint will be a very matte finish. Nothing wrong with that - tho I think satin would signal modern a bit more. Masonry paint will be about the same cost for a gallon. Test colors on a posterboard - another way to extend the modern signal would be to paint your living room with the historic mantle a deeper gray - charcoal, if you have good lighting in there and don't mind the drama / cozy feel. From the photos it looks like one square room not an open space, easy to have high contrast deeper walls. Only the darker tones will give you the modern drama, lighter gray will read traditional.

Here's the best option for the brick tonal wise - http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW0077-classic-french-gray/
if you want to consider a charcoal living room /study for contrast - test http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7068-grizzle-gray/
grizzle gray - using sw lazy gray as a stand in for your existing walls. You can also look at sw peppercorn http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7674-peppercorn/ - the undertone is a bit more blue than in the grizzle which is why i started at grizzle

You could also do a navy in the front room with the brights and the gray - but that adds back an element of prep that may not be right for what you are trying to accomplish modern wise