I am not finding one just like it. It is very nice. A lot of pictures from the 1920s show similar ones flanked by bookcases. do you know the style of the house? Is it Victorian, craftsman, colonial?

I think you need some relief from the dark fireplace and dark walls. The fireplace could be a feature if surrounding walls are painted a lighter complimentary color and is not as permanent as painting the brick. Lightening up the decor with a potted palm on the hearth and a less heavy framed mirror hung on the wall instead of resting on the mantel.
A screen that is less weighty would help, or if not using fireplace, clean it up and put a set of flemless candles for ambiance.

Does that FP even work and IMO it needs to be checked if you plan on using it. As for the actul finish IMO the concrete has already ruined any architextural value so if you hate paint it the same a s the walls put some logs in the fire box and do a nice thick wood mantel and lose the fake flowers and all the clutter for the mantel

Fireplace can’t be used now but we will knock out some added brick put in a gas insert. Intention has been to add a white wood surround and mantel to the ceiling

I would go with your original idea it will look great!

We lived in 2 1920 homes in AL-concrete slabs were not unusual.

I’ll get a better daytime pic. Originally brick two stories with a hip roof. Not craftsman and j no o columns etc. simple house

Better idea. We added the trim around the smaller windows. Original house probably had stained glass. Arched opening is original. Room I’m taking the pic from was an addition

So basic question with the idea of white mantle and taking the white paneling to the ceiling is should we keep the brick. Paint it white. Or tile over it. Anyone with idea of the name for the style of brickwork?

I would white wash the brick

Thank you. I have considered that but am not sure it really matches the houses architecture as it feels more craftsman than out home. Any historical perspective on that look? We have worked hard without addition to try to stay true to the homes age and architecture. Hence the hesitation to just tile it over with something like a green glaze brick or tile which was my first instinct. :)

Ideas and hopefully you can tile over vs removing. Mantle though may have to be changed.

https://carreauxdunord.com/installations-1/

You can first build the mantle and surround and then reassess if the brick now needs to be painted to match. If it’s historic, it doesn’t matter if you hate it. My 1925 colonial also had brick, wood mantle and side bookcases as @Maureen showed you. The bookcases were much smaller but it was the same idea. I never liked the red brick my house came with so I painted it. The main negative is that wood fires that sometimes throw out smoke will keep staining your newly painted brick.
I suspect a white room with a new white mantle will ENHANCE the look of your old brick. I would not start with painting it. I hope @Beth H comes on to show you more options. Many people on Houzz have the same brick fireplace problem.

Thanks that helps. To give you a better sense of the house architecture here’s a pic. Ignore what’s happening on the mantle. We are mid seasons switch out. And the kids like their fairy village 🤪