I think I would tackle the kitchen first.

”Architectural focus” is only important if you like what it’s focusing on. And no faux anything.

IMO the fireplace brick is a fine neutral that doesn't need change but, the mantel is wimpy. What "screams the 80's" is the wood trim around the windows/ entryway / baseboards which is an easy (but time consuming) DIY project. The floors and upper "bridge" wood are also neutrals. If the interior doors are wood leave them as is, just paint the surrounding trim. There are threads with photos showing what a huge difference this makes.

I agree, the wood trim needs to be addressed first, then the kitchen. if that was my fireplace, I'd paint it white.

Thanks for your input! I agree, the mantle is wimpy! I have to admit, I've wondered about tackling the trim first and then re-evaluating the fireplace. Are you saying you would leave the wood bridge railings, if painting the other trims white?

I like the idea of potentially leaving wood doors and painting trim around. I will hunt for those threads.

The kitchen reno is definitely on the list too! I guess I was thinking the fireplace fix would potentially be a quick DIY, making an immediate impact.

Not sure how DIY painting the brick would be without scaffolding.

I would leave the entire bridge as is until the rest is done, then reassess. When funds allow, that kitchen needs to GO.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/query/catwalk

INSPOPIX

I would maybe leave the bridge railings until last and see how you feel. they might look good stained a darker color.

you're lucky that fireplace has a nice simple look, and the grate as well. at least you aren't dealing with some crazy ugly shapes or shiny brass. not sure if you're into midcentury, but that could work really well with this space.

The home does scream 80's contemporary in all the right ways (I love those clerestories). If you think back 10-15 years ago, mid century modern was ugly. I remember when I was in undergrad my university was tossing out fiberglass Eames chairs during a building update. Fast forward to today and those chairs are highly desirable. I'd leave it. In the design world, the revival of mcm has sort of peaked and things are quickly crashing back into the 80s. Pantone's color this year is 80's coral. Color blocking is coming back. You're ahead of the curve with that home.

The two things that jump out to me are the kitchen and the grill over the return air. If the grill isn't white (it may be a gloss white but the photo is picking up a reflection), I would paint or replace it for a white one.)

I like the bridge railing, a lot. Would not change a thing about it. As to staining it darker, that isn't really something that can be done well w/o stripping the finish. Waaaay too much work and, when dark wood gets dusty, it looks dusty! Light & medium tone stains don't scream 'Dust me' so loudly. :-)

Don't love the brick but I don't hate it, either. Would leave that alone for now & re-evaluate when there is nothing else left to do. IMO, a hasty decision now could well end up not meshing w/ later decisions as to style, etc. on changing the kitchen, etc. If you must do something, I would get a beefier mantel and change the artwork for something larger with no mat.

Nothing wrong with the brick fireplace. But the kitchen and the oak trim could be improved up. Also don't treat your fireplace like some small colonial in a Cape Cod. It's a huge back drop for something interesting. Your out in the country.....go pick up a branch The shape and the texture are the perfect contrast for the brick. Good Luck

Found objects.......nature's art.

Also - what's up with the ghost fan?

I think the cool white wall color is making the fireplace look worse. A warmer wall color would help it blend in and look more at home. Not a color expert but maybe something more toward beige, off-white, or greige.

Thank you for more input!

Also, these are the listing photos. We are not actually in the house yet.

I’m not at all sure about that fan, lol! The vent stands out to me too, so it will def get painted.

I really need to sample various whites to get the color right.

I definitely like the idea of incorporating rustic elements. I don’t really have mid century mod furnishings, but love an eclectic bohemian look so could maybe incorporate some.

I plan to take the bulkhead and hanging cabinets out of the kitchen & potentially rework the layout & possibly add an island.

Sounds like after painting trim & possibly making kitchen changes, I can re-evaluate the fireplace. Will definitely need to change mantle regardless.

I would not paint the brick. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with it. And at this point I wouldn't do anything except move in and hang your art. Why? Because you need time to let the house tell you what needs to be done. I can't tell you the number of times I've moved into a new place thinking something was awful and needed to be redone or something I didn't like because of color, material, etc and after living with it a while, realized how it worked with the house and that wasn't the real problem.

Live in the house for 6 months and then reassess.

Modernize it by painting the brick white, and doing away with the mantle and the hearth.

I totally agree with Nancy If the wall colors were changed the brick would be fine, at least for the immediate future. Stark white walls rarely work, and though "modern" they often read cold. Enjoy your new house it looks like it has a nice feel to it!

Would not paint brick. Anything painted will, inevitably, need to be repainted.

Instead, add a mantel you like and add paneling (that goes well with the stairs) or other drywall you like either covering all of it above the mantel -- or, perhaps, all of the brick above the ceiling height as if it were a part of the adjacent wall to the left.

A better idea might be to live with it a while and see if you decide you want to embrace the brick and use it as a backdrop for something interesting that reflects your own personal hobby or interest. Agree with Beverly FLADeziner about that.

I would leave fireplace alone for now. Get rid of all orange stained oak. The trim and rails would be easily painted. Then a wall color that compliment the brick. Those r quick cheap if u paint diy. The kitchen needs updating the most. If money is tight then just get a quart of white that marches your cabinets paint over the oak trim ( take of door go to paint store n get a match . Then when u get a better idea on your style n home start the big ticket make over The orange n the brown brick is what dates it.

Love contemporary’s! Looks like a lot of potential there! Fun! Easy fix for that ugly brick to make it more contemporary is to paint it white and put on a simple big chunky mantle. Next up looks like you got yourself a kitchen makeover and staining all that orange wood.

I don't even think it needs a new mantle, just a giant piece of art.

OP, since you said you like boho, I do still think the fireplace should be painted for that look. if you look up inspiration photos, boho rooms tend to have solid color backdrops since the decor is so full of color and patterns. (those brick colors look really 80s to me, not the best backdrop for the current boho look IMO.)

however like the others said, you might want to wait. paint the trim, decorate, live in the space for a while. it might grow on you.

painting brick is super tedious. you'll want scaffolding because you'll have to stand up there for many hours. I'm a DIYer at heart but would 100% hire somebody to do that one. so you might want to give it some time and see!

Love it, dont paint it until everything else is done and you're SURE you hate it as it.
I agree with a larger mantle, painting out all the oak trim (try leaving the rail wood, you can always paint it later). I love the idea to leave the interior doors wood with a nice white trim, awesome.