There is brick stain which you can use to make it look like red brick.

What about don’t you like? What do you like?

Personally I like the brick. I would paint your built-ins the same color as the mantle or even white and the back the color of the mantle for a bit of color. It depends on if you like the all white look or you want more color :)

I’m not an expert by any stretch, but I agree with the others.....try to coordinate the colour of the built-ins and the brick. I like light colours so I’d probably paint the cabinets white, but you should choose an option that makes you happy. Great room by the way!

Paint the cabinets, tear out and thicken the shelves. Wallpaper or paint the back for an accent. And painting t the brick

You have a nice room but it needs some fixes. Right not, the fireplace draws the eye, as it should. The shape and proportion are nice for your room, and I don't think the projection is a problem at all. The color is not good, because the creamy brick clashes with your grayish white walls. Both the white colors look bad.

Also, because the fireplace is so light, the TV and fireplace box stand out. That draws attention to the TV, and gives an odd "2 black boxes" look. It also emphasizes that the TV is even larger than the fireplace.

The fix is fairly simple - painting or stain the brick a dark color. The gray of your desk chair would look good. There is no reason for the inside of the house to match the exterior brick. The proportion of the TV and fireplace is no longer front and center, and the color looks better in your room.

Next, draw more attention to your built ins. You want the objects on the shelf to draw the eye away from your TV, even from across the room. For example, paint your beige basket in gray and blue stripes - nobody will be looking at your TV!

Photos in frames are not good for this purpose. From far away, they are just uninteresting flat rectangles. Look for 3 dimensional objects. Thrift store finds can be painted any color, or spray painted a metallic. Easy and inexpensive. For example, large bowls, wood sculptures, interesting boxes. Vary the size and shape.

Group your photos on a hallway wall where you can appreciate them close up.

I like the blue of your rug and pillows, in combination with the brown-red color of your built ins. Don't paint the built ins white. It would look good to repeat the red-brown color in a pillow or throw. If you want, repeat the blue color in the built ins. Cut craft board or thin foam to fit the back of your shelves, then cover it with paint, paper, wallpaper, fabric etc.

Don't decorate the mantel, even if you could. You want to draw the eye to the shelves on either side.

http://blog.sanus.com/why-your-tv-wall-is-practically-made-for-the-dark-wall-trend

Thank you so much for your suggestions!

What did you end up doing?

Order a replacement mantle from Amazon. Here is the link there are a number to choose from with concealed supports.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=wood+mantle&i=garden&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

If you paint the built ins white then I would recommend doing something to the brick Also add some art or wall decor above the built ins so the wall has a larger presence.