100 times better??? That's a tough assignment. :) If it were me, and you're SURE you want to keep the brick red, I'd rip out everything above the mantel. It's dated and too heavy for the ceiling height. If you need to retain the bump out (where the upper brick is now) for the flue, sheetrock it. THEN paint it white and hang a serious of lovely artwork and/or a long mirror above it. The mantel color is actually fine IMO. But don't neglect the wood paneling on the side walls either...it doesn't match anything that I can see and is an even more dated color. Either remove it all or paint it to match the walls (just go with a shiny version of paint on the wood than on the walls). It will do wonders for opening up that room! You might also consider a different screen for the front of the fireplace. Something a little more up-to-date. It looks like it's bricked all the way around with a nice arch??? Maybe just take that screen off and use a free-standing screen. There are so many pretty ones these days! Best of luck!

Leave the mantel and bricks as they are, but paint everything else a warm white that harmonizes with the mantel and bricks. The white that's on the walls now is too stark.

As suggested, get an interesting art work for over the mantel--a skyscape in warm colors that pick up the brick and acts as a window in your basement.

Tropical Caribbean Sunset, Sky and Clouds Painting, original large painting · More Info

Get special firescreen paint, and paint it black. Put white logs in the firebox. Add a basket of logs on the hearth.

Aspen Leather Log Basket, Black, Large, 21"x15"x16" · More Info

Some leather seat cushions on the hearth might be attractive and functional for when you have guests.

Not a Pro.

Love above! @housegal200

I can also see mirrored window panes on the black panel, so it looks like windows are flanking the fireplace. Art in the middle.

Also, make sure your paint harmonizes with your rug if you're keeping it--maybe the palest shade on the color wheel of the rug color.

this one is pretty close. paint it. other than a total overhaul, this is about as good as it will get. I'd leave the natural wood mantle as is. if you do white or black , it will look much better

paint the brass insert too

I would consider very lightly whitewashing the brick. Whitewash will tone down the brick variation and the reddish tones but you'll retain the texture of the brick and the natural look.

Painting the brick will smooth over the texture and will be a more modern look than I think you are trying to achieve.

Whitewash

Paint

housegal's inspiration picture is perfect! The number of plants and the green in them brings everything together. Definitely add some to your room when finished.

I would either whitewash the brick or better yet paint it the same color as the walls. If it’s in the budget to remove the brick and paneling above the mantle, do that. Otherwise paint everything the same color. Lose the brass and get a pretty screen. A flat panel screen will keep sparks and embers from landing on the hearth and making it dirty.

I always think painted brick looks horrid in person. Fake, globby and thick even when properly done. White wash treatments do not create the same visceral response for me. I think lightening the paneling with paint, changing the brass screen with new or paint that, and adding art are what you should try first. If still not loving it the maybe think about white washing the brick.

Paint it all out

Wood finish on the mantel can stay. Your call

Here are a few examples showing somewhat of a blank slate with the removal of the upper bricks and whitewashing or painting the entire fireplace. I noticed that the fireplace opening is actually arched, so I provided an example of a Custom Fireplace Door to fit the arch.

Option #1: White wash everything including the bricks, mantel and paneling. Shown with Black RockArched Fireplace Door in Natural Iron.

Option #2: White washed bricks with mantel lightly distressed and stained in a more natural finish to match the wall paneling.

Option #3: Bricks painted in a matte charcoal finish with distressed mantel.

Anyone viewing this can try our Free Fireplace Door Design Service where you email us pictures of your fireplace and we create mockups showing how various custom fireplace screens and doors will look on your fireplace.

Provided by: Hansen Wholesale

Maybe it’s just me but I love red brick. I feel like everyone and their grandma has the painted brick look right now. I am actually putting distressed red brick on my fireplace. I like the old distressed look.

#2 or #3. I really like the black one. Do the top part like this. (but I like your natural beam choice too)

and I hate your brick you have! it's not the nice, vintage red brick. Plus the hearth brick doesn't match the other brick. the black painted ones in the picture look 10X better than what's currently there. everyone has a white painted brick but it takes a daring soul to do the black. love the black with the right accents.