SFGate

Ironwood Builders I think the best you can do is float a shelf out and maybe veneer over the brick with stone.

lfordnh I've been seeing a lot of beautiful painted brick fireplaces on this website, thinking of doing it myself. all white i think for mine or a dk gray can't really see the other colors in your room

ossiander If you are handy you can make a box around that fireplace and trim with crown molding and it can make a nice fireplace mantel. You can paint the brick too if you want to crate a solid color.

lefty47 HI -- Short of taking the whole thing out , I would paint it and add a big beam mantel and have it angled to fit corner .You could also have the firebox framed with some granite or cut flat stone . Then get a round mirror . The mirror there now is not helping things at all.

Darzy It's not an ugly brick like some. I like the white "blotches' in the brick and the corner niche could be really neat. What style is your house? Where is it located? Can you show the entire space to give you ideas? Depending...wooden row bow "oars" could be cool here..

onthefence I totally agree with Darzy. in fact, I think the brick you have is pretty great.

I think the mirror or whatever you put there needs to be in a different frame. Something either white, very dark charcoal or the same metal as your fireplace tools to work more with the brick. Also, consider changing your fireplace screen to something that sits flush against the fireplace.

I'm not really sure about a mantle. If you have art, a mantle, a screen and tools on half the wall and nothing on the other side, it's going to seem very out of balance to me.

Karen Brenner I agree with onthefence mostly....the only thing I would advise differently is to get rid of the screen and do some decorative glass doors ( an insert) that go with the style of your decor and definately a better mirror! The mantle would only make the side wall of brick look out of place. "Keep it simple", I say.

valcaro Here are some pictures of the exterior of the house. My home is in New England, south of Boston. Style is a mix between rustic and contemporary I guess (Restoration Hardware?)--- simple lines, neutral colors, anti-clutter! Thanks for the great ideas. I agree with the mirror and screen 100%. That can happen today!