SFGate

A. Peltier Interiors A really classic neutral beige will look more odeon and be a great accent to what you already have on the fireplace.
Try Benjamin Moore hc 84 Elmira white, hc 83 grant beige or hc 93 carrying ton beige.
Good luck!

onthefence Can you remove the glass doors and use a silver/pewter firescreen?

Lkristine It sounds like you are wanting a transitional look. Here is an example of what could combine what you are wanting to keep, as well as what you are thinking about changing. After you get the look you want I would then maybe think about changing some of your accessories and possibly frost the glass on the bookcases. Just ideas! http://www.ebay.com/itm/CASUAL-beige-TAN-gold-LARGE-scale-FLORAL-leaves-LOTUS-transitional-AREA-rug-/200826472580?pt=US_Area_Rugs&var=500105199525&hash=item2ec230c884

Lkristine Ignore that lamp pic! (although it looks kinda nice with the rug!)

onthefence Something like this pewter firescreen I think would work beautifully next to the glass doors of your built-ins
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/alton-ii-pewter-fireplace-screen/s250166

patty526 Is the brick brown, or dirty? Looks lighter at the outsides, so might I suggest cleaning it well first, before you do any painting on the walls? You might be able so see something in the brick, that you can blend a color with, with no mistakes on the backside!

eberbary Thank you for all of the suggestions - the walls are a beige wall paper and my color choices for all are wide open - I would like to get away from the beige that has been my mothers for the last 30 years - Brick has actually been cleaned in past and there hasn't been a fire made in there in years - it has some darker reds/almost purplish/ orangey reds and browns. The doors have been off for years and was considering cleaning and putting back on - but think will bring it out of the transition am hoping for. So no one has said a grey tone would be a good option? Color for rug and walls are wide open - except for this brick ???

Lkristine You could definitely get away with a grey color as well. Here is another idea. This color is called greyhound by Benjamin Moore. And here is rug option for this color as well. http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Grey-Floral-Rug/5509808/product.html

patty526 Regardless of the brick color, you need to paint the ceiling trim to match the ceiling, but in a harder finish..

patty526 Bring back the doors, stop the eye break of the dark ceiling trim...and bring it down a little. Trim is cheap, and a nice broad expanse of it a room will off set the heaviness of the brick. That ceiling trim needs a bit more umph..

eberbary My husband is NOT letting me paint any wood at this time- we will probably have to be loving there a bit - before that can happen! That being said - should the ceiling be white with that gray? I love the color AND the rug! Can I hire you?

onthefence I'd like to see you put the doors back on the built-ins. I think they're a really spectacular feature and can be a part of making that wall a real focal point. Perhaps even a really great painting over the FP and move the photos to a display on a side table?

Gray walls I think would be lovely. What colors do you have in the rest of your living room? Do you have a favorite color you'd like to use as an accent color? That to me would help determine the rug color - or at least an accent color in it.

There was a post a few days ago where a person blended a couple of antiques with other furnishings which were more contemporary and streamlined. I makes me think of your living room and think you can blend the two styles to get to a perfect balance.

eberbary The wide cove gum molding is in entire downstairs : ( - i love the idea - but hubby will be a dream killer on that

Lkristine I would do the ceiling an off white with a slight grey to it. Not stark white. You have a warm inviting space, greyish white ceiling would be awesome.

eberbary Photos are just there because of construction in rest of house- you folks are getting me very excited! I would like to mix old with new and have dark writing desk - there is no family room so i want it to be comfy but classy. Couch color ? And style? I have a spoiled 65lb pointer

patty526 And I have 3 labs. Please check the molding color to the ceiling, lighter feel.

patty526 Like to know what happens!

sayswho Leave off the doors add a few baskets in light grey to dk grey make some book covers in grey/black/white colors to lighten up shelf area and paint walls grey...maybe some empty picture frames in various color tones on the mantle and vases/candlesticks in glass to add some sparkle.