Don't paint the brick - so '80s DIY. Go for a silver grey paint and modern colourful sofa and chairs.

This fireplace could be the feature of a contemporary room. The clutter all gone, the walls painted grey a modular lounge in cream, arugula in cream, grey and beige, retain the lamp, add some modern art and you have a very exciting space!

That should read" a rug in cream, grey and beige"

Definitely like Karin Madgewicks suggestion for painting walls grey - bring the brick color right into the decor. You mentioned painting backs of built-ins a bright color - do you want bright color in the space, or not necessarily?

I have an 80s home and had the same problem with a painted white brick fireplace. We covered it with stucco ( add stucco glue to the mix) , then did a final smooth coat. I painted it dark gray and painted the brassy insert black. Here it is, to me is more easy on the eyes and does not scream 80s:)!

No paint.

Paint it or, better yet, limewash it. It sucks the life out of the room and the natural stones aren't especially attractive.

I'm not a brick lover usually, but that is some seriously cool brick. Please don't paint it! I think you will be sorry if you do, it is so permanent! With the right accessorizing (keep it simple) and the right furniture it will look contemporary and current, but it will look old, sad and unwanted if you paint it. I would leave it completely alone, but if you absolutely hate the color you can buy a concrete stain. It lets everything show through and just tints the surface. Just make sure it is a matte finish stain. As it is now It gives your house that authentic midcentury feel that I just love. The barn wood mantle that Dana Pope came up with is also a cool idea.

Limewash is the right solution - though I would go for a brown-gray so it still seems natural toned. Washing this stone with a brown-gray so you are able to get a better neutral tone without the pink - look at the pebble tone here http://portolapaints.com/series.php?id=lime-wash#series/lime-wash/lime-wash-03.jpg

then your white shelves and neutral warm taupe walls behind. Something like http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7023-requisite-gray/ Wash the stone - http://www.earthpigments.com/lime-wash/

the natural grain will come thru and you will gt the modern quality you desire - mask off the stone lintel right around the firebox - it is a natural gray that should remain -

Another thought, replace existing fire surround and replace with stainless steel. Remove existing hearth and replace with black stone hearth the width of the entire fire place.

I also think the fireplace is ok as it is. It's the clutter that you have to remove Perhaps a nice painting or the TV up there. Tiles at the bottom could be cream with some plants on either side. With TV out of the way both sides of the fire place could be used for storage but definitely without clutter. Facing Wall could be a favourite shade of color with shelves in white or cream. Needs more color may be with a nice lemon and yellow mixed rug. Some bright cushions too. Only amateur ideas.

shelves, storage and seating all in one

fireplace not forgotten but like to show how lemon works to bring freshness into a room

Go and get the whole fireplace area done in mosaic tile research a design into the tile and you will have a feature no one else has

Aw, Cecelia you're welcome! I didn't know you could thank people, Cute! Looking again it would be so beautiful to put built-in floor to ceiling bookshelves on either side of the fireplace. I'm not sure of what style you're going for, but there are a lot of different finishes you could do.

All - what an amazing community. My first time posting a dilemma and your help is so very appreciated. You are generous and have taste - a great combination. Thanks for all the ideas!

Your fireplace is so awesome, it's gorgeous really. It could be such a cute mod or retro room. If you do decide to paint the stone, be aware that it will require regular maintenance so really think twice!

Agree, love your fireplace.
The asymmetry makes it contemporary. The brick is an even, neutral tone, not offensive at all. What is you style? Mid century modern to contemporary would work well with it. I also would love to see a simple, wood mantle.Built in shelves on either side painted the same as wall colour, so the fire place remains the feature. Does the TV fit into the recess? Wall mount it into the shelving. I can't quite tell what the colour of the brick is from the photo? Is it more grey or more beige. A new wall colour working with the brick would enhance the room as well. Happy Houzzing!

Ok - keeping the stone. So that poses new challenges! Color of mantle, shelves and wall paint. I had planned to do white mantle and shelves but if I keep stone it might be too stark against white. (See attached) And I love Dana's suggestion of wood barn mantle. As an option, i like this pic I found because it preserves stone and instead of bright white shelves, the color sorta blends naturally. Just might be a tad dark. Comments? (Yes, going a bit midcentury/modernish).
Modern Family Room by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Cecile Lozano Interiors

oops - second image didn't load. It's a cecile lozano makeover picture (shows the blending).

I would love to see the shelves done in a grey toned wood. I wouldn't mind them painted either..........and love the idea of painting the backs of the units a different color like the picture above. I didn't realize you were going to install shelving on both sides of the fireplace. That being said, I change my mind about the barn wood mantle. I'd prefer the simplicity of nothing. It also looks like the fire box is not centered, I'm wondering if a mantel will make that more noticeable??? I'll be thinking...........

Here's an idea..............have the shelving built so it overlaps the brick a little bit.....more on the right side so the fire box becomes centered. Your carpenter would have to build a false back on the unit so that the back of the shelf is even with the front of the brick. So essentially, you are taking away 4" of depth on your shelves (or whatever the thickness of the brick is. Without the false back you would have brick inside your shelving unit. Does that make sense?? So the "net net" of it is the fireplace box will be symmetrical but the shelving on either side will have different widths.

Fireplace

DON'T PAINT!

Can you put TV on firepl. That would solve a lot. I like the stack stone. If no TV, go a reclaimed wood very thick 4"mantel 5 ft long. and paint walls a soft gray. Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams has some very nice ones. Make sure you put samples on walls. We will help with furn once FP and paint is done. I would rather see big Bombay chest on either side of firepl. With two tall wide mirrors over them. To give rm depth. Then furn like a sectional would float in room. Leave trim white. Window covers may work.

Don't angle furn like TVs in room. Push up against wall and float furn to see it. Love the floors. Area rug needs color.

P.S. you have to much going on. FP looks cluttered. Remove everything incl bookcase.

Please do nothing to the stone.

The photoshop pic posted yesterday is too busy. Clean, sleek, modern lines.

my new proposal

Love the latest proposal picture. Need to consider plan / desire for the rest of the furnishings.

Yes, Cecelia. Love the last proposal.

Instead of painting, maybe whitewash the stone on the fireplace so some of the color of the stone still comes though but is toned down. Then I'd definitely either paint the gold fireplace screen black heat Resistant paint or replace it. Nice room with lots of potential!

That is one gorgeous fireplace.
Please work with it, not against it.

Something like this? (I know, quite similar to a previous post)

No mantle please. You'll feel the need to put things on it and it will look cluttered. Especially since you'd like to have shelves on the side. This is definitely a case of less is more.

That is a neat FP and the stone is more current than mid-century.

First thing I saw was a chocolate wall flanking it, and the rest of the room painted whatever tone will blend with both. I also "saw" a black wall focal and the rest of the room stark white. LOVE the ceiling.

No mantel. Perhaps a 3-dimensional sculpture hung on the stone, if possible. (These days, almost anything is possible.) Something in distressed metal, distressed wood, but nothing plebian. This would mean a search that could take a couple of years to find exactly the right thing.

Don't worry about the off-center aspect; it IS typically mid-century, and charming. Keeps the whole thing from being too predictable. Emphasize it.

I like hte idea of low storage on either side, perhaps something metal-fronted or distressed wood.

It would be fun to see what you ultimately do. Be sure to post a photo.

Don't paint it, it is absolutely stunning.

no mantle. hm. where will I hang stockings? sigh. but I do see point about avoiding clutter and showing off stone more than burying it. loving rinqreation look which kinda gives a little dose of mantle without boring layout.

Don't paint it, it's beautiful.

Your fireplace is gorgeous as it is!