The fireplace looks like it could use a total overhaul. I would remove the molding and then place some sort of stone (marble, granite, soapstone) on the face of the f/p as well as the hearth. Then add back whatever molding you like. That's what we did with a fireplace we didn't care for. It was white painted brick with a cheap wood mantel. We covered the brick with black marble, which we also used on the hearth. Then our carpenter built a paneled wall and mantel over it. Ours is much larger than yours, and the paneling goes to the ceiling, but you don't need to go that far.

I'd also consider removing the carpet--it's very close to the firebox and may not be to code.

Paint the bricks black.

What you should consider is replacing the rug and tile.

Definitely replacing the carpet. And yes we should probably change the floor tiles. The photo in elcieg's post is kind of what I was picturing when I said I wonder if I can just put a sheet of something over the bricks.

The f/p in that picture isn't painted bricks, it looks like soapstone or a honed black granite. Which is a great look. But painting the bricks black is going to be much less expensive.

You actually don't have a lot of room, so I think the bolection fireplace mantle, which is what you have, is a good fit. But the new hearth should extend at least to the edge of the exising brick or to the edge of the bolection moulding.

Personally I think the tiles on the hearth and the glass door insert present more of a stylistic problem than the brick or the mantle.

Yes palimpsest, we agree we may need to change out that glass door piece. Love having the glass doors, but the oakleaf ornamentation and the glittery material is probably not the best for the design of the room. That entire piece seems to be primarily held on by very strong magnets so should be non-destructive to change out. I like your idea to slightly extend the floor part.

Honestly my main reason for wanting to DIY is that I haven't found anyone locally to do these very simple, straightforward changes. I am absolutely terrible at finding help.

Trying one more time to get some input about this plan: paint the bricks BM Cafe Doppio, extend hearth and replace tile with Bedrosians Simply Modern Coffee tiles. Is the brick going to look bad painted?

I'm not going to use that hearth tile I posted above. I'll find something in a similar color but different size.

I'm still thinking about painting the bricks but feel so hesitant about it. I usually don't like how fireplace bricks look when painted, especially when the mortar is painted the same way as the bricks. But in my case I don't think I should tape off the mortar lines and leave them as they are, because the blue-grey color will not relate to my color palette at all.

I have been trying to research the idea of darkwashing / blackwashing. Instead of straight paint I guess you'd mix the paint with water and it creates a different look vs painted brick. This is one of the only sources of info I could find about this method: How to Blackwash a Brick Fireplace for a Modern Look: DIY Guide