Pics are clearer but there still appears to be some dark gray in the (first) close-up of the front brick that isn't noticeable in the brick in the back or in the (second) full width pic. If you remove the current roof over your front stoop, you could add extend the high forward facing gable on the front supported by large wood posts and beams for a really good look: [https://www.houzz.com/photos/entrance-rustic-entry-minneapolis-phvw-vp~693855[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/entrance-rustic-entry-minneapolis-phvw-vp~693855) If you were to add water proofing to the area below floor level to the right of your front stoop and build a retaining wall (with steps leading downstairs within the wall) from that right front corner straight forward in a line with the right side of the house, you could level up your front yard and hide a significant part of the brick of which you're not so fond. Leveling up the yard would help you with landscaping as well. You and your husband could compromise: you could both keep the brick and yet hide part of it with shrubs -- even create a front yard patio.

Since it's a fairly small room having the fireplace more integrated with the wall color might not be a bad idea. I would paint the room first, which will get rid of the dark window surrounds and dark chair rail, and reassess the fireplace at that point. The strong contrasting colors in the fireplace don't appeal to me, but you'll have to see what you think.

Shoemaker - North GA houssaon: Thank you for the suggestions on the pediments/ windows situation. I know my husband is possibly taking out the attic windows, as well. He will appreciate this. We already have a section of metal roof above the front porch, so we want to have metal awnings on the back porch and small awning/overhang above garage doors to keep the look cohesive. Our shaker roof is in great condition and we are not replacing it anytime soon. So, what is the problem with the brick flooring on the porch if we decide to do German schmear or use Romabio? Would it wear out faster or look ridiculous? I am new to outdoor renovating. Thank you for the landscaping idea, I have already taken out 8ft x 20ft of ground covering cypress in the front and pruned ALL bushes up front since these photos were older. It will have to do for now until it is a priority. :) I thought about painting the house SW Oyster White, but I am open to suggestions. I have a neighbor with New England style home wi/ Blue home & cream trim and greyish taupe with grey shutters and very light subtle blue on the other side. There is so much grey, blue and green on my street. I am at a standstill on the paint!!!!

" She advised the German schmear (but probably didn’t know who was doing it) lol. I haven’t updated her yet 😬😬😬" Well. Everyone sees things differently. Just above, Beth posted a couple of stand alone fireplaces, schmeared. The pics with the accent chairs tucked near the hearth. The fire is alone. Flanked by windows in one pic, by wall and a sconce in the other. You say okay, big deal so what? But it IS a big deal. Alone.......IS very different than what you have done ( flank w/built in ) Everything exists in a context. Even schmeared to the MAX ? You have ( jmho ) married a horse to a chicken. You spent a lot on a built in, planked the back of the built in. You will add books, or display treasures, photo's .......etc. Yes? It's still going to feel wrong, Me? I'd say oh well, let's quit while we are ahead. Put the horse with a suitable pony, instead of a chicken, at least. That's why drywall, and minimal amount of brick exposed would be better. Better Yet? Drywall, and a new solid surface, or tile area to meet code and address the raised hearth. ( best case would have been to remove it and infill with a solid surface flush.) You've quite accidentally made two focal points, and neither can dominate . They are fighting one another for attention. .............and that is exactly what is bothering you. Best case is drywall and some new solid surface. Second best drywall and paint . Third best is forget the schmear effort, and get a couple of gallons of white paint: ) You need opacity. Yup........opacity. (Apologies to the very talented/wise Beth up there !! ) Remember........just because you can find it on the internet...........? Doesn't make it great. Like below : ( Imagine instead, lovely window views right to the floor. in this pic.. That fire begs for no competition whatsoever, let alone cabinetry, books, photo's and doo dads Design always begs one to edit ideas or you wind up with "odd couples".