You may be able to remove the brass trim around the surround as shown here I personally do not like the look of a gas fireplace insert, I think it takes away from the beauty of the fireplace. So I like to cover them up with an appropriate fireplace screen. Thrown in some fireplace tools for added authenticity. Provided by: Hansen Wholesale Fireplace Design Service

This picture of ours may help. Seems you are missing any hearth - possibly add tile around the fireplace and onto the floor on front. Remove the molding surround.

I wouldnt paint it. Its a very nice looking fireplace, and is already pretty neutral. Leave it for now, and live with it for a while. It can always be painted later, if you really dont like it.

It sounds like you are willing to invest in a change. And looks like you are going full MCM with the sofa, tables, and lamps, they are all great! And, it looks like you like color based on your artwork. Now, hear me out. Removing things that don't go with your style is not a sin. Here is what I would do. 1. Remove all the wood but leave the bases. 2. Paint the bases and put MCM pulls on them. paint the mantle shelf or replace it. (you might be able to find some mcm doors for the cabinets. ) 3. You could put up shelves or put art above the cabinets. (If art, do something different above the firebox, wall sculpture etc.) think brutalist style 4. The screen is the easiest, paint it black 5. Think about cladding the entire fireplace to the ceiling in stone or tile. 6. I would normally say don't paint the brick, but in this case I would consider a dark dark gray matte and continue above the brick to the ceiling. Your artwork would look fantastic especially with an art lamp above or put an eyeball fixture in the middle can. It doesn't look like you have enough width to put the tv in the builtin. A cool vintage buffet or wall hung cabinet under the tv where it is now. Maybe a small Eames or similar chair for the right of the fireplace. And plants! Then on to wall color, rug, window covering, deco. Your room has so much potential to be fabulous. Make it yours, don't let the wood or the wall unit or the brick make your choices if you truly don't like them. Even with some simple changes you could make the fireplace wall much nicer, up to you and your checkbook on how far you want to go. I'll look forward to seeing your changes!