I'd remove the trim pieces from the top of the bookcases (I can't get the pic bigger to tell what they are) and I'd probably paint them the off white of your cabs. I think that'd pick up the light tones of the brick. I'd also paint the back walls a deep, rich color in the red tones, similar to the vase on the bookshelf maybe.

Do you actively use the fireplace? If not, remove that screen and put a decorative removable one in front. I have candles in my fireplace, and I put a mirror in the box behind them. I have an antique brass screen & andirons.

I just saw in a magazine where there was a large bust they put in the firebox, that was pretty neat.

If you can't remove the screen, paint it. Remove it (it's easy to do), scrub well, primer, then spray paint in a warmer color, you can find a nice hammered antique bronze that would be nice.

If possible, I'd bulk up the mantle, I like the full span, but would rather see it deeper. I wouldn't change the architecture of it, however.

I think your fern green or even a khaki-ish color would look spectacular with your brick.

My photoshopping skills are super rusty right now, so I won't butcher the picture in your mind with faulty graphic work. : ) I think you're on the right track, though.

When I *tried* to photoshop your shelving, I left the mantle shelf natural and it looked very nice. When I tried to paint that, it looked kinda weird.

I like white, just pure white. I'd first paint the bookcases with semi-gloss white. Make sure you do some sanding to ensure the surface is clean before you apply your primr. You might want to consider painting the inside backs of the bookshelves whatever wall color you chose if it is light enough or wall paper or apply material. Then go from there.

Oooh, material on the backs of the cabinets is a good idea. I wouldn't have thought of it, but I love fabric and would rather have it than paint anyday. I don't know about painting the walls red (I know, I'm chicken). It is a dark-ish room already and the biggest room in our house. I worry that the red would suck it right up.

Pesky1--By "trim piece," do you mean the little 1 inch trim, or the arched pieces?

Thanks for the ideas. And the fireplace suggestions are great. I'm going to try to figure out how to make the frame dark aged bronze.

More suggestions welcome!

If you want to age the bronze you can expose it to ammonia.

Are you opposed to painting the brick?

What about removing the doors and putting big wicker baskets in the newly formed cubbies? It would be a great place for your little ones to stash toys and have easy access. When they are older I'm sure a use can be found for the baskets. No one ever complains about having too much storage space in their home.

Is the center pedestal attached to the shelves? It looks like it is not. It could come out and take the decorative arches off too.

I'm not totally opposed to painting the brick. I have no emotional attachment to it, just don't want to start a huge project and have never painted brick before. I was planning to ask my ILs to watch my girls for a weekend so I could work on this (DH is deployed) and would really like to get it all done while they're away so I don't have them trudging through my work zone.

So, all that to say, if you can tell me an easy way to do it and a great color scheme, I might consider it!

I would start by just doing the bookcases. I've seen other threads around here where people get crazy when someone asks if they should paint the brick. I believe paint is a multi-purpose solution ;-) so I'd be painting that brick, too. I just think you should take it one step at a time. Painting the bookcase Dover White will make a huge difference in your space and then you can assess whether or not you should do the brick. JMO given your limited time-frame.

Popular greens here include Baby Turtle, Dill Pickle Grecian Green, Flowering Herb. You can go the the Greens thread on the Gallery side to see more. I think green would be a great choice...but then, green is always my go-to neutral!

Here is a link that might be useful: Greens on the other side

Another vote to paint the whole area -- bookcases and brick.

Bulk up your mantel by building a "box" to go over it.

Barbecue paint -- available at Lowes -- would paint out the bronze areas.

Oh! You live in my house!

I clicked on this thread b/c I thought the title was clever. That is exactly how I feel! It's not so much that I need help with pretty things; I need help removing UGLY things.

We have almost an exact copy of your fireplace ... only our brick has splotches of ORANGE (can you imagine?) and we don't have the bookshelves yet so we have one entire wall of the mottled, 70's brick. By any chance, are your walls painted paneling? If so, do NOT paint them red. Your room will look like a barn. (Ask me how I know.) We did end up using a mossy green that blends well with the brick and the wood.

I won't be of much help because we haven't had the nerve to tackle our fireplace yet. I will be reading the suggestions carefully!

I have several photos of ideas saved on a different computer. One thing that I considered was building bookshelves (like yours) but adding a thin panel of wood at the bottom to make the brick look like a toekick for the shelves. (Does that make sense? Am I mistaken, or does your hearth run wall-to-wall? If your shelves don't extend to the edge of the hearth, this wouldn't work.) Then I'd like to add another thin panel over the brick above the fireplace to minimize the brick. Ultimately, I don't know exactly what we will do. We haven't even reached the planning stage yet.

I'm anxious to see how yours turns out.

Nin

I agree with the other ladies paint the whole section out in a much lighter color and in the back of the shelves have an accent color if you want that pop of green color. Here's a picture that I've always loved. {{!gwi}}

I love pic posted above. I came home from a trip to town and my teenage daughter had painted out our brick in a cream color that I was using on the trim work and doors in the room .It looks great I am very happy she was braver that me. Painted brick looks great and really makes the brick work with the rest of the room instead of fighting all the other elements you have.

Kristy, I don't have bookcases to show you but did want to show you the fireplace we repainted. As far as the bookcases go, I would paint them a creamy white color. The backs could be the same color but a soft, not too dark green would also be beautiful. It would really depend on your wall color and the other colors in the room. I would paint the brick also, it's not that big a deal, but if you're short of time now you could always see how you like it just the way it is and paint it later if you prefer that. Please be sure to post after pictures.

Ingrid

Would you paint the whole area the same color (Dover White) or the brick one color, and the cabinets another? I am planning to have new doors made because these are in pretty bad shape. I could have the cabinet maker also make a box. I have never thought of what else to do with the mantel. Anyone have any pictures of good ideas? I'd like it to just arc out instead of jut out because it is attached to the cabinets, but I don't know how that would look, and if that would be too hard to do.

If you were going to paint everything it should be just the one color, I think anything else would look odd. At least, I've never seen it done any other way but if anyone has pictures of two colors for fireplace and cabinets that would be interesting to see.

Nin - I am so sorry you have an ugly fireplace wall too. We also have the paneling, painted a creamy white. I might have considered a color, but the fireplace is such a distraction, I didn't want to compete.

Lacombe--Beautiful room, I wish I had the gorgeous detailing, but it's nice to see what potential there could be.

Now I'm thinking about doing all of it. How hard is it to paint brick?

I don't see a way to take off the top arches. They are flush with the bookcase, so I might have to keep them.

I would just paint out the bookcases and then see if you like the brick. I like the brick. If you want a change for the back of the bookcases you can get some foamcore and cut it to size and put scrapbook paper or material for a different look.

You might not mind the brick if you had a nice mantle. I would paint the bookcases first and see what you think. I think a new mantle would be amazing, and really would pretty up the brick. You probably can buy a mantle and just mount it on top of the existing mantle.

Or, ask you carpenter guy what he would suggest for a new mantle. You could have him make one that would match the style of the new cabinet doors he's making for you. He also could probably remove the arches if you want, but once painted, they may be nice. I think overall the orangey wood and brick just don't go together, so if you paint the cabinets the brick may be fine. If not, paint the brick too!

Forgot to mention this wonderful blog -- the young couple has made amazing changes to their home! Search for their fireplace mantel project .....

AND she is a designer who will do online virtual re-designs too .....

Hope this helps!

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: Blog -- The Lettered Cottage

I love the inspiration picture that lacombe posted. It looks like the brick was "washed" with paint.

I think I would paint the bookcases to match your cupboards, BM Dover White, and then if you still want to change out the fireplace, do a wash on the brick with the same color as the bookcases. Also either painting the existing mantel or adding a full mantel painted like in the picture.

I also like the idea of the back of the bookcases painted a soft green.

Please don't paint the brick. When we were house hunting, painted brick fireplaces were a complete turn off. They looked - well - painted.

To me, it just looks like it could use some merchandising (as Christopher Lowell would say). Declutter the bookcases (add family photos), replace the clock with a nice print, and put some hefty candlesticks on the mantle.

But then, I'm not a decorator, but painted brick is an eyesore to me.

Good luck - I'm sure you'll figure it out.

While I love painted brick, inside or out, and think the example above is yummy, it just might not be your style. Before taking such a drastic step I would do the following :
replace the mantle and, if possible, have cabinet man build a nice surround. Select a paint tone in a pale golden beige or warm gray... colors that seems to be in your brick (pic is a bit small to see well). Take all off the shelves except books with nice bindings, and fill them up. One or two special accessories on one or both of the bottom shelves, perhaps. Can't see the rest of the room, but believe it might look nice to paint the walls in the same shade as the wood work. This I'd try first.

OK, I am calling cabinet man today about doors and a mantel shelf. Does anyone have any pics of what might look good there?

I think I will start with painting cabinets only, then see how the brick looks when the wood is toned down a bit.

I like your brick, actually (okay, I'm biased, mine is similiar) What about a bulkier mantel like this:
{{!gwi}}