I would surround the whole thing with a white wall unit, including a white mantel, white wood background behind TV, white cabinetry to ceiling in drywall niches. Look for inspiration pics. Google images for ”red brick fireplace with white surround”.

Then I would fill the brick niche with logs and replace the brass screen/door with something more modern.

But before that - Is that a gas fireplace box inside a former brick wood burning fireplace? If you are interested in replacing the whole box with wood or a gas log set, I would look into that first. Maybe that has already been considered and that is why the black box is there?

Thanks for your response! It has always been a gas fireplace. I thought of spray painting the brass black. My original plan was to build book shelves (glass) and have a light above the cabinets and crown molding to bring it all together. I am stump on design where the TV is?

yes, rustoleum paint should work on the brass. I don't know if you want to add a mantel?

unsure about the TV question -- is there another place to put the TV, so that art can be over the fireplace/mantel instead? and I'd try to tape the drywall crack at the top...

Get a log panel to fill the void on the left.

You could do shiplap above and shelving above the cabinets.

I understand why people paint the brick, to lighten up the room, but it's definitely overdone, so I'm on Team Husband.

The fireplace needs a mantle. Depending on the style you go for, please don't do a raw wood block! You can go two ways:

1. White shiplap on the entire wall with a white mantle. Note the pic of the shelving- It's basically a shadow box with shelves, creating an interesting take on just bookcases. Add "picture lights" above the shelves and don't skimp on the thickness of the shadow box or the shelves. Consider adding a molding trim to the front edge of the shelves.

OR

2. Go Craftsman Style with simple flat moldings and a natural wood mantle. Consider painting the bookcase niches and wall behind the TV (everything except the brick and the natural mantle) a smokey green. It will be a design statement if it fits into your style.

Craftsman mantle in natural wood low luster finish

Paint color for entire wall except brick and mantle

I'm not sure I understand what I'm looking at. Is the white surface right above the fireplace a wall or a piece of wood? Or just lighter paint than the yellow everywhere else? Also, are you leaving the TV there? If so, why doesn't the sofa face the TV? Is there seating where you took the picture from?

What is on the right wall?

If you have a gas fireplace I don't think you're going to fool anybody putting little half rounds of wood in the lower brick box.

You could put candles there. Or seasonal decor. Or a nice vase.

I painted my fireplace doors a flat black with high heat spay paint. It looks brand new! Stack logs in niche, birch logs are pretty and round. Definitely shelving or very large art prints. It’ll be cozy