SFGate

Lizabeth what does the rest of the room look like? You could get two wood benchs and place them facing each other flanking the fireplace and creating an inglenook effect.

The Creative Man Hi, No, leave the bricks. Is your house themed as colonial? I would update the brick area with timeless new pieces so it wouldn't look like a museum prop.

yvonnecmartin I agree to make it an inglenook. Look at photographs of Frank Lloyd Wright's early houses to see examples.

njmomma I would remove the shelf at the top of the fireplace. Remove most of your decorative items and just leave a large basket filled with kindle. Re-tile the base of the fireplace or paint the brick at the base (floor) and possibly change the wall color. Can you please show us more pictures of your room?

cwalbrun19 Depending on your style I would suggest it might be fun to paint the brick...white or even a bold color like teal. Again, totally up to your style but it would be unique and eye catching. You may have trouble finding benches to fit as the size looks a bit tight on either side. You could have some build to the right size, however, and put cushions on them in an accent fabric or something. Cute space :-)

decoenthusiaste Here are two inglenooks to kick start your project!

rowekamp Beautiful. I would get rid of everything that's in there now and replace with two very simple symmetrical benches (either built-in or very close to the existing dimensions) flanking the fireplace.

tunnarr Thanks so much everyone for your great advise! I am chuffed to bits with your comments and help! I have just moved into the house and hav a lot of work to do! I have posted some more photos of the room was thinking of putting panelling in around the room and floor to cealing bookshelves?!