I would cover the brick wall with sheetrock. But I would leave a few inches of brick exposed around the firebox. You may need to for safety to provide some distance between the heat of the firebox and combustible stuff. It might be a good idea to get a professional opinion on the amount of clearance you need. I would paint the raised hearth brick and the exposed brick around the firebox, probably a color that blends with the color of the walls. I have a bias against paint the grout-line a different color. I think it looks fake. I would just paint whatever brick remains exposed after you put up the sheetrock a solid color, see how it looks, then consider the possibility of painting the grout-lines. I would also consider painting the brick around the firebox LAST. You might find that it looks okay against all the other changes you made. About the "hole" in the hearth: I suppose it was put there to store wood, which is not a good idea because of the risk of termites. If you're painting the brick, I would put a couple of baskets there for storage of whatever. I would not try lay brick to cover the holes because it will never match. Incidentally, if you haven't had your chimney cleaned lately, it would be a good idea to call a chimney sweep. Most can answer technical questions, so you can get some technical input when he comes over.

Because the fireplace ends at a narrow wall, it would be awkward to put a face stone or brick on the front. You might consider just a smooth plaster finish with a new mantle mounted higher on the wall. You can paint the entire wall and even around the corner in an accent color. I don't have any photos that match your situation, but I have posted a few to at least give you inspiration.

Apologies....I forgot to attach the black and white entryway steps...help! any other i]options than to pull all the marble tile out? Any chandelier suggestions? Thank you!

If the doors are prepared properly, it's unlikely the paint will chip. I agree that HGTV makes it look too easy but it's not impossible. If something does happen, minor paint issues are usually easy to touch up and repair. The other thing you can do is remove the cupboard and center the fireplace. I know you said you like the storage but I suspect you could put those items under a bed, in another closet, in the garage, in the basement, etc. You're telling us you want change but every change that is suggested is dismissed. I'm not sure how you can change the space without actually changing anything.