I would question someone's sense if they told me to paint the inside of my fireplace brick WHITE! *SMH* Can you imagine how ugly that would be after burning a fire just one time? Ridiculous! The only reason the red brick stands out is because you have nothing in the fireplace. Where is the set of logs? Where is the fireplace screen that's supposed to go in front of the fireplace so that nothing pops and flies onto the floor? I agree that if you do not use it, then put some decor inside of there. There is not a thing wrong with the color brick!

Just because you had a coffin lid before, doesn't mean it need remain so. Your goal and the surrounding areas are missing.If you're in progress...... you did a kitchen, or SHOW the kitchen... but nobody can advise based on your info thus far. Show the rest of the spaces beyond and flesh out the missing information....and the feel you want throughout.

If the rest is oak, I'd paint the walls to get a change. The other option is black. Black shows every spec though! Had a black cabinet in a bathroom, never again....

Thank you all for the input! @hallettco, I appreciate the run down on what is involved with the trim, I had no idea it was that much work. Since we are at the end of the renovation that started in October, and they've already finished repairing the siding on the back, I don't think it is wise for us to start cutting up the siding! At least I know now to rule that out. It sounds like re: shutters that we should remove them from the horizontal windows and bay window (assuming that the brick looks ok underneath, we shall see). @Patricia Colwell and @houssaon, I'm curious what you mean about the size of the shutters? They are taller than the glass part of the windows, so I'm not sure how much bigger they could get?