Can you show photos of the furnishings? Replacing the brass fireplace screen and perhaps painting the mantel white would freshen the look. Painting the frame on the art a soft white would make it pop against the brick too. Depending on your furnishings...

Paint the bricks white, get rid of the brass, and change the mantle to something different...like a cypress beam

hi guys...the poster doesn't want to paint the brick.

Spray paint or get new all black fire screen. Add a much thicker heavy wood mantel. Add a oil painting with bolder colors and bigger. Hang 5" above top.of mantel.

Make the frame a darker color like black.

Get rid of the brass, maybe a pop of black instead, make the mantle larger it will help

I agree with kcory1969, your eyes are drawn to the brass. I think it would help if you could extend the mantle and enlarge to a beam if possible as well. I would never paint brick either.