The only 2 story fireplaces I like are stone and are super wide. You need the width to keep the height proportional or it will look like a skinny strip of stone. I don't know what style house you have but if it was my style I'd do that whole fireplace wall in that horizontal plank wainscoting. I've included a link with an example. We upgraded from brick to stone and it was about 400-500 more. I've attached a picture of ours. We didn't do a solid piece of stone for the hearth to save money. Here is a link that might be useful: Horizontal plank wall

I think this house (already is really cute, and) would look great in a stark white/black combo or even off-black/black combo. I love shrubs but this one is big enough that the scale looks odd to me. You CAN rejuvenation prune it and see what happens. Or remove it go with the some spiky grasses, cast iron plants, a blue-green hosta, or if your climate allows, even snake plants. I think all of those would look great. I don't see colorful flowers in front of this one. And just for good measure, that house is so cute!

I think the reason you can't find a decent color is your lighting (and your choices. you're picking cool grays when you should be picking warm grays) but your lighting is very warm and yellow, so it alters the hue that you see. Given that you have north light, that brings in a cooler light, but not enough to really brighten up the room. as suggested, get some bulbs over 3500K. 4000K is natural day light. I'd start w/some of these Honestly? the red brick isn't all that. I'd paint it. white, black, gray, and bring in a large wood beam for the mantle. Paint the bookcases white too. I love this one. same floors as yours. do a matte black on the brick, paint the walls a nice, bight white (BM Simply White is neutral that leans just a tad warmer. I used it on my own walls. You can leave your ceilings as is, paint the beams, or paint the whole thing little diff as they kept the mortar joints a pale gray/white. you could choose to redo the shelving and do some built ins or, just paint them white and the brick either white or gray. ignore the fireplace, but these built ins are Ikea. It's an Ikea billy bookcase hack. super easy and looks great White brick, white walls, and bring in some cool furniture. I also love this mcm redo White brick, white walls, white ceiling. I don't like this color brick, just showing your the cabs on the sides. Romabio. look into Romabio (home depot has it) I'd do the masonry paint and not the lime wash. lime wash is too 'farm-y'. you want more mid century This stuff is super easy to use. Look it up and you'll find a ton of tutorials unless you want more of a country look: The masonry paint gives more of a solid coverage and can be tinted to any color

When your budget allows, get a cottage style door. The one you have now feels Victorian. Think about getting a panel with windows for the garage door. Remove the railing. It is a visual barrier to you entry. Plant only perennials there. Add a few plants along the foundation. Be careful not to plant too close to the house. Allow a foot at maturity between the side of the house and the plant. Chose different heights and leaf color. Include some evergreen and some flowering. Don't plant anything that will grow above the bottom of the windows. This color, but not this style would look great!