You can paint it but once done it can't be removed. I think the shoulders of the fireplace would make excellent display spaces for pottery or other artwork.

I would consider painting the brick. I suggest the trim color. If you really want it to recede even more, paint it the wall color.

I think we want to embrace the brick but just wondering if there is a way to make it look like a design element.

So you’re saying the hole where you put wood is in LR in other side? If yes, I’d paint the back side same color as wall to make it invisible.

i'd box it in with sheet rock and be done with it. i've never seen an added-on-the-back-of-the-chimney room (and they are common in new england) that was improved by seeing the chimney.

I would paint it. I did on my own sunporch - was originally a screened in porch and fireplace juts out. I have a large painting hung on it to help it "disappear". Mine does not have the jut-outs that yours does.

I suggest you paint the brick the same color as the wall color.

I'd leave it as is and attach a wall candle holder to it where the fire would normally be.

Uttermost Siam Candlelight Wall Sculpture · More Info

Kadoka Decorative Wall Candle Holder · More Info

Are you sure you don't want to open this side so it's a double sided fireplace?

I like the idea. Not sure if that would work structurally. There is a gas insert on the other side but it was mounted inside the original fire box.

You'd have to replace the firebox with one that is double sided.

Haven’t read the responses, so I apologize if this is a duplicate suggestion but you could white wash it to give it some interest.

Here’s samples of what I kind of have in mind:

I would not paint out a cool original feature. That would make a great backdrop for art or shelves or even a desk. I also like Deco's suggestion.

As it happens, I'm sitting at a desk facing that wall right now! My office is being remodeled so I moved into this room. Hadn't given it much thought since we moved in but now that I'm here it's a reminder. I know it is not currently en vogue but I have always liked brick. DIY Network shows are responsible for painting over, removing, or covering up a lot of fireplaces!

What do you plan to use this room for? Do you live where there are cold winters? The double-sided fireplace idea is a great one, IMO. Is that a kitchen I see through the doorway on the right wall in your pic?

Yes, the kitchen is on the right and it is now beautiful thanks to the new walnut cabinets, soapstone counters and Tabarka tile not in this "before" photo. We live on the west coast and it is rarely cold here. We call this room the "sun room" because there are a lot of windows and a wide glass patio door framed by a very large orange tree. I have many plants in this room and there is a view of the orange tree and gardens so it sort of bridges the indoor living area with the outdoor living space. In this room we added a bar to match the kitchen, with under-mount wine and beverage refrigerators under the window you see in the photo. Since it is adjacent to the living room, kitchen and a large outdoor deck, it is convenient for staging when we entertain and keeps guests seeking beverages out of the kitchen. We also have breakfast in this room on the weekends.

if your brick fireplace was centered on a wall, in a position to be a focal point for the room, that would be one thing. its not. its over hiding in the corner between two doorways, a location that you'd never be able to arrange furniture around.

which was why i originally suggested boxing it in drywall so that it can best be ignored.

I totally agree w/ninigret. I wouldn’t have covered, I’d removed alltogether. That’s why I indirectly asked if usable on other side. Those corner FPs present big challenges to furniture placement, IMO

i might have saved bricks (maybe) and used to line a garden bed, if I felt it was important to retain for historical reasons.

Oooh, Allison - we should have known that with your incredible decorating talent that you'd have a wonderful idea! I wouldn't want to take out that brick, either, and where we now know it's sort of an inside/outside room, I like the idea of the brick even more. Pots of ivy could be placed at the base and trained to grow up the brick as it would on an outside chimney.

I just found this pic of a brick wall with shelves that might inspire you.

ETA this story of a woman who intentionally exposed the back side of their chimney -

Exposing the Backside of the Chimney

Thanks, Allison! I love that! Right now I actually have a bookcase on the left shoulder because I needed a place to stash my cookbook collection since I'm using this as my office temporarily. There can never be too many shelves for books in our house. When we moved here one of the movers asked if I'm a librarian. And one of my daughters pointed out that owning so many books is not "feng shui" but the heart wants what it wants. There is an odd little room at the front of the house that is lined with bookshelves now and overflowing. This would allow me to spread them out a bit. (and add more books) I'm visualizing some beautiful custom shelving in here, filled with cookbooks and gardening books and more plants.

The fireplace is centered in the living room and there is no way hubby would agree to having it removed. He had a remote-controlled gas insert custom fitted. That remote controlled flame is his favorite thing in the house.