The decision about the brick has a lot to do with what you select for furnishings. Sometimes keeping the natural material is a good idea.

I like the brick. I would keep it.

We have 2 green recliners and grey sectional. The rug is just there temporarily.

How do you open the door with the mantle in the way? Or is it just the angle of the picture?

In the photos the brick looks quite nice, so i would start out by keeping it natural.

Another vote for keeping the brick.

I wouldn’t paint the fireplace, it’s the only charming thing in the room. A rug in front of it would set it off nicely. After you furnish the entire room then you’ll see what a keeper it is.

Keep the brick.

@carol I think it's a bit of an illusion - I'm sitting down so makes the mantle look really deep and wide. It does extand over each side of the brick maybe just 2 inches - like you can see up the mantle on the sides. We noticed it was off center and shifted all the way to the right when we moved in (I'm sure to accomodate the door) and when we remodeled we centered it and cut into the door trim about an inch. We have a TON to do in this old house so was saving money and not replacing the mantle right now (my AC and insulation and windows are more priority lol) We added a door stop on the bottom hinge to stop it from hitting the brick but does open more than 90degress so it's totally functional.

I was all for painting but now that the painter comes in the morning it's growing on me - we had all dark paneling and it was a cave so i've been thinking paint everything!!

I did it - I CANCELED the brick paint! Felt bad last minute but I still had work for them to do. They ended up cleaning it w carpet cleaner to get what looked like pen markings out.

I like traditional and you’re all right I need to get my furnishings in. I can always paint it later but can’t easily unpaint it lol

Good for you! From what you say and what I can see about your style, I think you made the right decision. It’s a nice color and I think in the long run, you (and future buyers) will be glad you left it natural. :)

Don't white wash the brick, but paint the mantle the same color as the door/window trim.

I would keep the brick but replace the mantel with a whitewashed rough hewn one instead

There are a few features of this room that push for whitewashing the fireplace…IMO……..
the white trims ….the height of the ceiling…the ceiling beams…
Mostly ….the close proximity to the door…is accentuated more in the contrasting colors than if it blended more…
the wood beam mantle would still tie in with the wood floors..making that look right

But if you are going to make it a focal point with the furniture…the brick …as is …works just as well

White washing is an easy DIY if you decide in that later

Painting brick is almost always a terrible choice. Thank you for doing the right thing!

Before

After

Paint isn't for everyone, but it really brightened up our living room. I wish I would have also used fireplace paint for the interior (black). My current fireplace looks more pulled together having painted the interior.

After isn't showing below.

This what i learned about living in my 1960s home. Never change what is orginally there try and upgrade things that doesn't require tearing it down or changing the original look of the home. Even if not your style. Never paint brick outside or inside. Only paint things that easy to strip off paint or replace. Noticed people go with trends that is fine but i feel best to stick with neutrals in a home unless accent wall or fireplace. If want go with trends stick with decor pieces (curtains, furniture, artwork etc) that can be removed.