The biggest problem is the scale and balance is off on that wall. You can always cover the brick with tile, marble, granite etc. But the scale will still be off. You need to take into consideration fire code as elkinmeg has pointed out as well. Personally, I'd do something to the wall that the television is mounted on. Perhaps build out shelves, entertainment unit, something in equal scale to the fireplace, perhaps make the mantle a sleek design that would run the whole width of the wall. The room needs balance, the off center fireplace has to be balanced on the other side. Just my opinion.

Dear fellow decorators, Thanks so much for all your responses! I knew I could rely on you guys. Thank you very much for the inspiration pictures, "jejvtr." I absolutely love them, and the look depicted in all three of them is pretty much spot on what I was envisioning. However, I am realistic and I know that our end result will probably not match what is in these pictures, because yes, the stretches of brick to the left and right of the main flank of brick are uneven. Also, I could remove the hearth, as you suggest, "egganddart49," but there are electrical outlets on both sides of the hearth, so I am certain removing the hearth would require electrical know-how, and DH and I are not up to snuff with that. I don't mind having the fireplace as the focal point, anyways-it's inevitable, and with a nice large painting above I think it can look nice. "Jakabedy," our house is actually a two story traditional colonial built in 1940. I do appreciate the MCM style, although our family room is not that. It was an addition consisting of a family room built on a concrete slab with a new master on top. I think whoever did it just took various elements popular at that time (floor to ceiling fireplace, large patio windows, wooden paneling, etc.) and mashed it all together. Cheers, Anna

maybe a better question would be: what design "styles" does this 'vanilla' house lend it self toward? If we stain the porch wood, we're craftsman which seems to not fit, right? man, i thought we had an idea of style, but this choice has thrown everything for a loop.

I really like the cabinet next to the pink chair however I dont think it works in its current location because it is too close to the same size as the fireplace. It creates a distraction. I also think the sofa table is wrong for the space. The tall shelving behind the sofa does not work either. I would remove the tall shelving and replace with the three pieces of art that are currently in the dining room. I would hang them vertically, one below the other. I would try moving the cabinet and mirror that are next to the fireplace to the wall where the three pieces of art are in the dining room. I suggest finding a piece of furniture to hold the shoes and items hanging on the wall next to the door. I think this is the biggest problem with the room. I love the cowhide but I think it could be bigger and if you decide to replace it, I would go with brown, not grey. I would remove the vertical blinds and replace with curtains. I would remove the trashcan from its current location. If you were to make those changes, I think you space would look spectacular.