wow. this is a tough design issue!

Is the vertical pattern in the brick a vent?

Yes, we were told it would take too much to change the configuration of the boxes.

This is what we call "the kid seating" at our family gatherings. I have square 3" high cushions in a fabric matching our upholstery for each side of the firebox. Might take three of them for your situation. Kind of mitigates the look, and comes in handy.

We had a similar situation. We covered our brick with slate on the lower portion put in a big modern mantle and then dry walled the top half. We wrapped the slate around the hearth and replaced the actual hearth with different stone. Also a new style if doors on the fire box will make a big impact.

I think it has great potential - use a solid slab quartz in a cool taupe neutral all the way across the seat area and extend it beyond to the edges of the brick as a cantilever on both ends. Hang a mantle of the same material as a thickened front edge "slab" just above the vents. Go to crate and barrel and add brass elements to your decor in the room / keep the brass / put something sculptural brass on the mantel with an extra large piece of fabulous art. Cut logs 2" shallower than the depth of the wood niche and fill it and leave them.

We will b decorating w/Old World Med style

I think the idea further above to change the hearth over to a different material whether by covering the brick by slate or other method sounds good. (ie I think not having more yellow brick in the hearth is good idea)

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Your fireplace has a modern feel, but

OOPS.hit send too early! Your fireplace has a modern feel, but you can achieve something like the fireplaces pic I just sent without ripping out the whole thing.
For a look like Tallwood, add a surround made from a reclaimed beam. Drywall the top above mantle.
Or you could add rock as in other pic, just leaving brick around firebox.
Update fireplace screen, and add large iron chandelier. Keep in mind, that fireplace is large, and keep anything else you add, lights, furniture etc to a lg scale also.

I really like the stone on the fireplace, but you could change the material on the hearth to a thick piece of slate. See the fireplace in mid-century modern re-do? Looks similar.