I think I'd paint or smear before drywalling, just because it gives some interest that you might appreciate in the diningroom, at least. On the sitting room side, you might consider a bookcase or other built-in, or just level it all out in the niche.

The one thing I dont like about brick is keeping it clean. I'd do nothing or sheetrock and finish smooth. Anything else will demand maintenance

I think the brick is attractive.

Since you are not using the fireplace, move the TV as cd7733 suggested. I really like the useful shelves and wood logs in the firebox. The only thing I would change is move the TV down a bit.

Any chance of removing the set back wall altogether and installing a gas see-through fireplace? That would cut way down on the brick mass and up the coziness level in both rooms.

what about drywalling or doing builtins on the set back wall? you could paint just the fireplace portion and I do actually like the tv over the fireplace as suggested

Still mulling it over and I do have plenty of time because I haven't even moved into it yet, but I think I will probably dry wall the set back wall, put shelves in there, then continue one of the shelves to make a mantel over the fireplace. I may whitewash the brick to lessen its bossiness, but I will keep thinking this over. Thank you all for your help.

That looks kind of amazing! thank you so much!

You could have the TV to the left laughed in that little nitch area and you could have it on ATV arm that you could watch the TV from the table if you want to I do like the brick but you can whitewash it if you want

Paint it white

Adding drywall with add to the bulk. Definitely add the shelves and move the TV, if you have one for that space. Hold off on painting the brick, you might come to embrace it.

The wall seems quite thin - just one wythe thick. That seems odd for a masonry wall. There is obviously no wood stud backup inside. Would suggest maybe removing the wall all the way to the fireplace and leaving the passage between the two rooms more open. Love Rabbit Design's rendering and treatment of the fireplace. Good luck!

I had not, until now considered the possibility of removing the wall all the way to the fireplace but I think it is a grand idea. I will make sure that it is not structural, but I really don't think it is. Then.....maybe put shelving but as a feature and a room divider, so that space is divided but open and interesting. These are not quite right but on the right track. Thank you all so much. I haven't even moved in yet but I have some much better ideas than I started with.

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Is it a load bearing wall?

Take it out I think you'd love it

Take out the side wall of brick and replacing it with shelving will look really nice. Great idea!

Removing the brick wall might be a can o worms…patching the popcorn ceiling, the wood floor, dealing with the outlet…but if you built in shelving the floor and ceiling issue would be resolved. It’s pretty brick, I’d rework the fireplace side to be a little more useful, maybe add a tall narrow wardrobe where tv is now, but I don’t think I’d remove it or paint it.