Wait until everything else is done before thinking about the fireplace.

Cleaning the brick fireplace would be a start. Looks like there is a lot of smoke on it.

IMO, don’t wait until everything is done! You want to include all aspects of the room in your plan. The fireplace can be an issue if you change up the ceiling.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean about the flooring. Are those wood slats the flooring you're installing. Or is what looks like carpeting on the right what's there now?

Your furnishings, rugs, and art will effect how well the fireplace can be integrated. I personally like it. A large art work over the fireplace can make a huge difference in how the fireplace looks.

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To clarify, there isn't carpet under the flooring we are pulling up. Its similar to linoleum but I'm honestly not sure what it is. The previous owner had laminate installed over it, which is what you see in part of the room. The laminate had a large amount of damage and I just generally didn't like it, so we are pulling it up to replace it with something else.

I would probably whitewash the brick or paint it the same color as the walls. You can paint it yourself just use masonry paint and a primer. It’s not attractive brick. It’s not a crime to paint it. MRemove the doors and use a flat screen instead, much more attractive and easier to use.

I agree with you. Maybe drywall or stucco over it in white so it matches the walls? But keep it modern looking, not bee hive. Or drywall over it and tile with a pretty color like sage green or even just white. Fireclay has some pretty bick-like tiles.

Thanks for the clarification about the flooring. In the sixties, midcentury ranches were still popular it wasn't unusual to have that kind of fireplace.You have some big decisions to make about the flooring. Make sure to tie it into the wood trim you have and any other "givens" like cabinetry that's in view of the space. Hope you go for wood flooring. Try to avoid the trendy gray driftwood thing that's on it's way out--often so dreary. Bring out the warmth of the trim in your floor choice so they echo each other.

This is going to be a lovely space. Great idea to remove that old flooring and put in your new wood flooring. Or is that LVP or Engineered Hardwood? It will give a fresh feel to the space and new floors are always a great way to start.

The fireplace might be toned down if it whitewashed or painted. Before you do this, you need to really dislike it because once you go white wash or paint,, it can be expensive to go back. And maybe it could work. Can you take a close up photo of it? There are some browns that might work if you decide to keep it after cleaning it.

Is that a kitchen cabinet in gray on the right side of the photo? Could you paint the built ins a similar gray color? Or even the fireplace? Are you keeping the chair? Just want an idea of how the space will look.

Here is a white wash similar fireplace.

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You could paint it gray and remove the mantle

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I painted mine Navy Polo Blue by BM and I have no regrets. My brick was loud before.

Before photo... You can see below it was ugly with the saltillo tile too.

We painted ours navy blue and put in built ins.

more ideas for you...

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maybe have a carpentar build a mantel around the fireplace.

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First thing you might look at doing is actually cleaning the brick. If you're still unhappy once everything else is done and the brick is cleaned, then we'd suggest looking into other options.

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