I agree with V Smith - also, the room doesn't look like it gets a lot of light, so I'd add the navy to the wall that gets the most sun (if doing an accent wall). Doing the built-in in navy would be gorgeous.

Here’s what I’ve got done so far. It’s BM Hale navy. Absolutely love it, but not sure what to do with paneling and fireplace now. White seems like it would be a poor choice... more blue?

Hale Navy is a great color and looks wonderful with white. The next thing I would do is paint out the fireplace white. Then when that is done, decisions can be made on the rest.

You could leave the fireplace as is and pick a paint color to match the stone for the paneling. Just get a paint sample or two first and paint some posterboard or those clear self adhesive sheets that are meant for paint sampling and set them next to the built in and the fireplace for a couple days to make sure you like the colors together.

What type of paint did you use for the built-in?

It’s latex satin sheen.

thank You-yes, good idea to do one step at a time.

IMO the fireplace is a mish mash of different color brown & white bricks on the vertical wall and red brick on the hearth. It's never going to look great that way. Paint it out white and then post pics when done. It will make a huge difference and really lighten the room.

yes, that sounds like a good plan. I am tempted to paint it hale navy, but probably too much dark? I‘d like to keep the window Trim and doors untouched for now. But don’t care about the paneling.

@Katherine - what are those panels made of? why are they a different material than the rest of the lower cabinets? I'm asking because I wonder if it'd be appropriate to suggest changing it out for a decorative aluminum sheet? Something like (as an example only): https://www.amazon.com/M-D-Building-Products-57527-Chainlink/dp/B00P4CD6LE/ref=asc_df_B00P4CD6LE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241931380059&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17236744586157306169&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032028&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-449173952761&psc=1

The navy fireplace will be too dark. It needs white. After that, the paneling might be able to go navy, but not the brick.

I‘m fine with this room being a darker, cozy space...but I agree that the bricks are unattractiv.

more of the room

Don't worry, the room will be cozy even with the white brick.

I love the floors.

Ok, thank you!!

I have BM white dove in satin. Would this work for fireplace and walls? In combination with navy paneling?

It should work - that's what my daughter used. Either white dove or simply white. Both great colors. Simply White is a bit brighter.

great, do you think white on the walls will be better than what is currently there? It’s a warm gray.

I do think white would be better on the wall, especially if you're considering painting the paneling Hale Navy. It would add freshness and contrast.

following

Katherine- doing a whitewash over all the bricks might look good. I’ll try to find a pic.

Katherine- here is one pic found searching for white washed brick. Quite a few bloggers have documented their success. Basically your paint is diluted to be thinner. (Recipes posted on blogs.) If you don’t like it that way, repaint at full strength. If you wash the bricks, you would have a contrast to white walls or trim. Painting the windows, walls, remaining woodwork white would look clean, new and bright.

Thank you, Kathy! Something to consider.

Have fun! By the way, love the rug. Keep it, it will hide everything! (Kind of like avocado when I was a kid.)

Just FYI, if you didn't do a poly topcoat over the latex paint on the built in you're likely to have problems with items sticking to the shelves.

Kathy just posted a picture of what I was just going to suggest. It looks much nicer than when painted a solid color. To me, when a fireplace is painted solid it looks a bit fake and plasticy. I love the white washed look.

Whitewashed fireplaces can look very nice, but it depends on the brick underneath. In OP's case, she has several different colors of brick, and a totally different color on the seat of the raised hearth. Most likely these will not look cohesive when whitewashed. However, there is no harm in trying that first as you can always paint it out later. BTW, painted brick only looks fake and plastic when people use the wrong paint.

I think I prefer the look of completely painted. Design girl, what would be the wrong paint?

Semi gloss or gloss would be wrong. Stick with flat or eggshell finishes. You may want to ask at your local BM dealer what they recommend for fireplaces if it will get heavy use.

I would go with flat white paint

Oh cool! So helpful, thanks celerygirl! I got eggshell. Will post a pic tomorrow or Tuesday when it’s done!

As for the walls, I’ve never had white, so am a little nervous it could be blah, but it’s a south facing room so that should help.

@Katherine - are you doing all this painting yourself? If so, I'm impressed. I think you'll be pleased. Can't wait to see pics.

No, but I have a great painter who is available this week so am trying to make decisions. really appreciate your help!

Looking great!

With one coat on the walls. love how it brightens the room...thanks for the encouragement @Design Girl!

@Lizzie Bennett, somehow I missed your comment earlier, sorry! It’s fabric in there for speakers. I wasn’t sure what to do so bought a board, but not sure if it’ll work. Thank you for the metal sheet suggestion, love it!

@Katherine - Looks great - Do you like it.

Yes, I love it!

Love how you have lightened up the room!

@Katherine - There are so so many people on this forum who will not paint wood paneling, cabinets, trim, or brick. They just won't do it. I'm obviously not one of them. Everything in my house is painted. I didn't paint out my brick though - I ripped it out to get rid of the raised hearth so I could mount my TV there. I'm glad you're happy. You've gotten a lot done quickly.

it did take me 3 years to pull the trigger, and my husband was not fond of the idea. Now he says he’s glad we did it. :-) I was most worried about white walls, but they must be reflecting light because it’s much brighter in here!

@Katherine - Take it from a woman who's been married for 39 years that most times men aren't fond of much. They like wood and brick - it's a man thing. I'm glad he's now happy. It will make future products easier when you tell him "remember you didn't want to paint the living room and how great it turned out". Works every time. My husband now just tells me to do what I want. haha.

Ha ha, that’s great! Yes, hopefully I’ve gained some trust.

@Katherine - if you don't like the metal screens, you could always use a fabric with a nice pattern (or even plain) too. The possibilities are endless!

Paint job all done! Thanks again everyone.

It looks very nice, and I hope you enjoy it. love the dog.

Looks great - What a cute bassett hound.

It looks wonderful - great job, @Katherine!!