I have a large livingroom with one entire wall of brick, with a wood burning fireplace. The brick color is varied – 70’s style. I have a large, dark stained mantel over the fireplace, and have placed a tall bookcase on either side of the fireplace, but it just doesn’t pop. There is also a brick ledge (approx. 3 bricks deep) along the base of the entire wall. This is perfect height for low-level seating, but I’d have to move the bookcases. My couch and loveseat are brick red with dark wood trim. My room has a hardboard ceiling, similar to original hardwood flooring. I will be painting my walls a sage color. I really need some guidance on the brick wall. I don’t think whitewashing is the answer in my traditional livingroom. Without the bookcases, the wall is plain and flat, with the exception of the mantel. I’m open to ideas.
You might want to narrow down the brick area to just a little wider than the fireplace and drywall the wall on either side using the same sage paint color. You might also use chair rail and picture frame trim on the painted walls either side of the fireplace. Also consider adding crown molding where the walls meet the ceiling. Consider painting your ceiling a light flat color (maybe eggshell or white) to increase the brightness of the room and paint the crown molding the same color as the ceiling, but use a satin paint. If your bricks look too dry and plain, you might want to seal them with clear urethane to give them a wet glossy look.
I think you will like it.