Hi Djlingle, I suggest you consider a nice thick slab, both for the hearth and for a mantel. Right now, the mantel is too skinny, I think it needs more heft. It would be very fun to paint the bricks a nice warm charcoal color, and perhaps find a marble or granite that complements the new color. (Of course, you'll pick the exact paint color based on the stone color...) I don't think you should have a mantel with side pieces, because the windows are already so close. I'm imagining a fairly monochrome room, with a soft gray on the walls, and a gray carpet.

What style are you going with in the room.. Traditional, modern, cottage etc

If you want the art deco look, I like the idea of a consistent color brick, maybe in a grey. For the mantel, I would go with a more traditional art deco mantel like the ones on this website http://www.c20fireplaces.co.uk/ and then on the three groups of vertical bricks, install something like this http://www.tiledecorative.com/art-deco-tiles.html

Janelle - I guess you'd say our current living area is more contemporary/traditional mix. We have a dark navy blue sofa and chair w/ottoman. And a glass top 'coffee' table w/off white faux stone base.
Peggy - Love the websites. But have to agree w/Bodhidesigns - don't think side pieces will add anything - the windows are close.
Bodhidesigns - Good imagination. It will be fairly monochromatic room with pops of color in accessories. The floors, however, will be the original hardwood (oak - stripped & restained in a mid-tone)

My husband does not like painted brick - has anyone stained brick before?

That's a pretty colored brick. i would never paint brick. It looks cheesy and very difficult to reverse. At most, I'd stain it so you can control the amount of color change on it.

If you paint the color of the wall a darker color like charcoal, the brick will stand out very nicely against it. Don't be afraid to be bold, it's just paint!

:)

What is this room. Formal living, family, tv, other?

Think our OP is asking about stain and mantels, not paint. djlingle, I am not much help w stain; I colour wash w (roughly) a 50/50 paint to water solution when we need the brick to show through - am not sure what the advantage of wood stain would be to that, but if you get no further report here, you could always try it in an inconspicuous spot, and see.

Ok, this is what I'm thinking for the fireplace. Add whatever mantel you prefer on top. I suggest a dark wood. Keep the fireplace as it. It was beautiful but rip out the bottom and add maybe a complementary marble...or some type of concrete look. I'll try to find some pics...

You may could find the perfect wooded piece at a salvage yard.

This will be our main living/tv room. We're knocking down walls to create an open floor plan from back kitchen to this frt. room. Remember - it was built in 1938 so rooms are small. Also most of people will enter from the rear of the house so the fireplace will be a focal point.
I've read that there is 'brick' or masonry stain, will have to look into it and try it on the hearth since I know we're going to replace the hearth.

Ok that sounds good. Btw the pictures I added were of the hearth. Didn't realize you were changing it aready. That's a great idea.

power wash it & then add a darker glaze over the brick to tone down the yellows; add a chunky mantle with an art deco feel stain it dark; remove the hearth it's distracting & you can buy real stone hearths at a local stone shop or building supply in a natural gray color. post pictures when you are done! good luck!

I'll post pics. It'll be a few months before we start on this - we're adding onto the house to make a master bedroom.

I would paint the brick and add a nice oak mantle. I did that and it was amazing. We also added a propane/gas insert cause I was just tired of the mess and work of real wood.

I forgot to mention the mantle was built by my husband out of mouldings. Something you could do your self.

We are going to put in an insert. Thanks

Do you really mean Art Deco? or Craftsman? See below for two styles first two are art deco second two are craftsman. BTW I think painted or washed bricks can look very nice. Or cover them with tile which is much more 1930's!

I'll like granite. You can choose the color..light is better.

You just need to take the windows into consideration. You don't have a lot of room on each side

The fireplace in the living room of our house is almost identical to yours, circa 1940. It is my family home and we chose to remodel and renovate a few years ago rather than selling. My mother loved the carpet in that room but we decided to remove it and refinish the beautiful wood floors underneath. The mantle is much thicker than yours and the trim matches our crown molding. I painted the bricks a white color to match the room trim, then sponged over it with the wall color. I am very happy with the result. The hearth I covered and trimmed in ceramic tile, 4" I think.have fun with the changes you are making. These older homes have such intriguing personalities.

I think you have a couple of nice ideas to work with here.

djlingle--keep the design simple. Flat stock and simple steps in your trims will look best. Trims and mantel should be painted or perhaps mahogany? Oak is great for flooring, but most of the secretaries and fireplace surrounds were made out of mahogany panels and tile around the mouth of the fireplaces in the 30's and 40's.
Although it is difficult to see, this example has the same 'hearth' tile that yours has. Note the mantel & wraps are mahogany. If not natural, I think white wraps and mantel would make the brick you have look brilliant. Happy Houzzing.

i meant "art deco feel" not totally true art deco of the 30's but just some simple rememberances; because the basketweave pattern going through the middle of the fireplace could be kept & played up a little with a mantle that recalls but not replicates the style of the '30's...that's all. :)

I found this perhaps it will help: http://askannamoseley.com/2011/10/how-to-stain-brick/

Thanks Amy - I checked out the site & saw a similar brick stained a medium brown. Making me think again about the grey tone idea..