I really like the brick in that fireplace. the mantel and the decor is wrong as well as the wood trim around it. id focus on that before painting the brick.

Is this your house or one you’re thinking of buying?

It’s hard to say about painting the brick without more context (weeds). It’s one part of the picture and impossible to say for sure without knowing the rest.

We don’t know what color you’re thinking of painting it, or the method, or again what style(s) you like. We don’t know what your flooring, furniture, textiles, function of room, etc will be.

My advice is to wait until you’ve lived with it a bit before making that decision. It’s not an ugly brick to me, and could fit nicely with many styles of decor — but painting it might fit whatever your style is better. We can only guess.

Any time someone comes here and states ther eis no context there is no way to help. IMO those valancs things on the windows tell me to keep the FP as it is until you do the rest of the space moved out of the 80s

Y'all: The reason Commentors on Houzz "get into the weeds" about entire spaces is because that's what designers do! They take everything in when they enter a space. Every piece connects to every other piece--floors, cabinet finishes, built-ins, art work, , rugswindow treatments-- to create harmonious spaces where individual features echo other features.

Example: If a family goes for a warm, rustic look with a lot of wood trim, then a painted white fireplace will stick out like a sore thumb. Really, you're asking Commentors not to use all their training to focus on one thing. It's like asking a plumber to install new faucets and telling them to ignore a slightly leaky pipe under the sink. Commentors have reasons they ask for more photos, measurements, budgets, more detail, non-negotiables.

Here is how to post a Design Dilemma to get the best results. You need to show the whole space—all four sides of an entire space—even if it’s about one specific Dilemma. Commenters need to see doorways, windows, closets, finishes throughtout the space to make informed suggestions.

State right at the beginning what the room will be used for and who will use it. State the non-negotiables at the beginning, what has to be kept. Give some idea of the budget. And provide approximate measurements

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6417709/unofficial-design-dilemma-boot-camp

Keep in mind that you're inviting some design pros and people with a design eye into your home via photos. If they walked into your actual space, they would take in all of it: all four sides, doorways, floors, windows, ceiling, built-in fixtures, lighting, trim--the "givens"--then the features that can be changed--furnishings, paint, art, rugs, decor items, etc. It's all one first impression. Same thing with photos. That's why it's important to provide well lit photos of the entire space, taken from all sides of a room regardless of the size of your problem.

In our opinion, the brick has a lot of character and is a great focal piece. But as Jilly noted, if this is a newly purchased house, wait and live with it before making any decisions.

All depends on how the room will be furnished and you don't show any of that.

You could paint, or you could do a German Mortar Smear

German Mortar Smear

Here is a simulation of white over the brick

This below is limewash over brick

This below is full paint over the brick.

Here is black over the brick

Maybe look at pictures of various applications and save your favorites. Once your furniture is in place and updates completed, pull out the pictures and make your decision then to best suit. Mantle could use an update and suggest spraying the brass black.

I’ve seen one of my favorite designers do it instead of a costly reface.

Post the pic of your favorite designer. I'm curious what their look is and whether or not yours can be similarly achieved in this context.

Thank you! It’s @amberinteriors, let me track down the photo….

Here it is!

We painted our brick wall/fireplace black (black paint; BM Aura Matte, though I might have considered black stain as an alternative). No regrets 😌

I would totally cover that brick and love the inspiration photo you posted of your designer's work. It's a pretty room and will be even prettier with a light colored brick fireplace!

Your inspiration pic does not look like painted brick to me - but it might be my phone screen. Generally, I can see more detail on this phone - but I am not seeing the bricks, themselves.

In any case, let me just say in advance that I personally am not a fan of painted brick. Not for the most part. I much prefer brick. Or, if it is covered at all - rather a frame and drywall. And that appears to be what the designer did in your inspiration pic, too - but of course I am not 100% sure of what they did, because not seeing it clearly from your pic. But in any case, this is what I would do, if I wanted that look:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FJgd3jArjkQ

A large amount of brick can look good in a space, but it has to complement all the other elements in that same space.

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In my previous home, the painter used this product (applied using a trowel) to completely cover the fireplace:

Variance- Tierra

I am an Interior Designer and have done this many times to give my client the look they desire. We have also whitewashed brick to update the look without the severity of paint. Both looks are beautiful when the look of the room complements it. And the feel of natural brick can be beautiful if you want to keep it organic. It really depends upon the look that you wish to accomplish.