SFGate

Judith Taylor Designs Paint it or stain it - either will be an improvement. To modernize it a bit more, the hearth are is what is making it feel dated. It could be brought in to just the fireplace opening. Paint first and live with it a bit. The ceiling could be painted and would give textural interest without being so heavy but it depends on what style and look you are going for.

talitha free design i actually really love the brick here stunning ,i was thinking how ever that you could break it up a little ,as there is definitely room for improvement ,i really think the roof could be improved -could you make it a rose or experiment with different tones that contrast with the colour you are wanting to your floors in ?
in regards to the fire place could you go for some thing a bit more bold like a colour (lemon -lime ) or experimenting with a shade of pigmented white ?you could even go bit further by doing some form of tiling aztec for the foundation (hearth ) as it does look like your focal point in your room ,really depends on the mood you are wanting to create !! i agree with "Judith Taylor designs " on the hearth - the hearth does make it look dated ,but i personally love a hearth ..imagine cosy nights with logs stacked up ..but removing it will create a sense of more space ..

decoenthusiaste Can you combine your two threads on this DD?

talitha free design hahaha ideas ideas

michigammemom Take a look at how a fellow houzzer used whitewash pickling paint to update a brick fireplace. http://www.houzz.com/discussions/38813/Was-the-Brick-on-the-wall-Dry-brush-painted----