Check out the blog Young House Love. They've dealt with all of these in remodeling their old home and it looks great. They also give instructions on how to paint etc.

I like the wood and think it would be a shame to paint it. The brick, on the other hand, is not a good, strong looking brick and doesn't do much for me -- I would update that with slate of some other stone, in long, horizontal pieces. I think that would update the look while still upholding a mid-century feel.

Seeing all of the photos you have provided and noting the size of the windows you most likely have, I think keeping the wood paneling as any kind of wood color would weigh down the room. There is a serious dearth of brightness because the wall is such a massive piece of wood. If you aren't married to the wood color of the built-in cabinet, I would paint it a bright white and cover the inside shelves and sides with a complementary color. Your taste is mid-century and contemporary, so it would fit right in with your aesthetic.

I would put a lot more color on the walls. Because you didn't mention anything about removing the wood paneling, I assume that you have to keep it. In that case, why not pick a great complementary set of colors and go wild with stripes or chevrons? I love chevrons. If you like mid-century and contemporary, stripes, chevrons, and even geometric patterns would make a very bold statement.

Now, to complement with the fireplace you could redo it in white ceramic or stone. It's neutral, so whatever you color the paneling will still work. Or you can go full out glam and put in black marble, which would look very extravagent. It really depends on what kind of mid-century you're going for - do you want 50s/60s bar and lounge or Scandinavian ski bungalow?

Pleeeeaaase don't cover the brick! You might want to do something to the "metal frame" in the fireplace (I don't know what it's called either). I think a glossy white, enameled frame of some sort would look really good, if that's possible.

Now, if I were you, I would sand and stain all the wood paneling, including the built in, to a rich walnut color (see: Single Man), with a muted gloss finish. It would be nice if that matched the floors.

I don't think you should worry about whether or not anything "matches your style", just do what you like and it will all come together.

I'd remove the mantel and the brass fireplace doors and call someone in to build in cabinets/bookcases on either side of your fireplace as well as a more substantial mantel...
...then paint the entire room - cabinets and all - a nice cream color with a pale teal for the insides of the cabinets and the backs of the open bookcases.

@sturgeongeneral - I disagree, I think the brick is awful and doesn't reflect their style at all.

I think the built in bookcase/cabinets looks fine the way it is. There's no need to stain it darker to match your furniture. Doing so would be too matched and look too dark. Keep the original.
The dark paneling around the fireplace however, needs to be lightened up. I would paint it the same color as your walls and paint the bricks white. Then hang a large rectangular mirror or piece of artwork above the mantel (when you find the right one.) Also, speaking of artwork, the trio of framed art in your dining room should all be at the SAME level. And perhaps a new pendant lamp above the table? The current one is very old fashioned (not MCM or contemporary.)

You know, come to think of it, I think I'd push the sofa a foot or two back as well. That purple chair seems awfully close to the fireplace.

I would paint the paneling and built-ins for sure. I would also take out the metal insert thingy (I think we should make that the official term). THEN I would decide on the brick. I think once you change everything else you'll want to change the brick, but that's a bigger job than painting. It doesn't seem like it would hurt to see if you can avoid some harder work by making easier changes first.

I'm wondering how it would look to paint all the paneling (I have no idea what color - sage green keeps coming to mind, but I don't think that's quite right), but keep the cabinetry the way it is (just paint the paneling inside the cabinetry, if that makes sense). To me, the cabinets in their current color look very danish modern, which could fit with the other stuff, right?
For the fireplace, I think covering it with slate & ditching the built in screen would be good, and maybe a chunkier mantle? You could probably find a stand alone screen that would fit your style more.

I would suggest removing the wood paneling, or painting it white. Also think about building a more formal mantle around the fire place. (check out an architectural salvage place, the could give you some ideas.) This would detract the eye from the brick and give a focal point above the fire place.
I wold leave the book shelf as it is. The wood has a nice warm look to it.

Or what bspsf said, I like that too.

Rosie, now that I look at the built-in, I realize that it's the paneling behind it that I dislike so much...maybe it would work to just paint that. I really like the cabinet fronts, and a little contrast could really work.

I second Young House Love for inspiration. Also check out
http://www.the-brick-house.com/

pam h
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

and furthermore... Count me in for painting the wood -- the eye goes to contrast, so if you don't love a piece (or a door, or a built in, or molding) paint it the same color as the walls around it. Definitely remove that brass fireplace whoseywhatsis.
It can be left off and the fireplace covered with a standard screen, or replaced with something in black steel for a less obtrusive look.
Here are some options:
1. Paint both wood pieces light grey, and install white ceramic tile (long skinny rectangles, or mod circles) over the brick. Line the back of the built in with cool wallpaper to brighten things up.
2. Paint the wood behind the fireplace with chalkboard paint, draw in some fake portraits over the mantle piece (which can be left as wood, or painted a contrasting color for fun, or removed all together) and cover the brick with slate. Paint the wooden built-in the same color as the wall.
pam h
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

1) Leave the bricks and wood panels.
2) Replace the metal plating with brushed stainless steel.
3) Remove that ugly mantle.
4) Hang a a high-impact mid-century style metal artwork on the wood panels (think Jere)
5) Replace your furnitures and lightings with mid-century pieces.
6) Remove the built-in bookcase as it weighs down your living room.

I agree with the suggestion of painting the paneling the same color as the walls (cream). I did this in my basment and you won't realize how much darker the paneling was making the room until they're painted. And mirrors are definitely your friend in these darker spaces. I would also spruce up the brick fireplace surround either with white/cream paint or slate tile -- both good options depending on your budget and skills. On the built-ins, I think you should save that for after you address the fireplace wall. They may stand on their own or look out of place once the fireplace wall is addressed, you'll know it when you see it. Good luck!!

Maybe you could just wrap the mantle. I think with a more substantial mantel, things will look more balanced.

I often like the look of painted brick, but in your case I think the brick is a nice feature since it's not an entire wall of dark brick. It adds a nice history and weight to the room in my opinion.

I would start by painting the panelled wall to lighten things up and see how that changes things.

Painting over the wood paneled wall might give the built ins a chance to shine as well. If darker wood is "your thing" then staining them darker might be a nice complement to your decorating style. If you stain the built in cupboards I would consider staining the mantel the same shade (or painting it or even getting a new mantel).

Painting the panelling behind the built ins the same colour as the other walls might add some cohesion and brighten things up as well.

yes... what @bepsf said.

Agree with everyone about removing the brass thingie around the fireplace. Then, after painting the paneling a lighter shade, seeing how you feel about the brick. It might look okay in a different context. But I'm wondering if it would be possible to scale down the built-in. It's such a hulking presence in the room and is actually blocking the hvac vents. If it could be altered somehow to fit beneath the vents it would also agree with the height of the wall going into the dining area, and maybe look more to scale.

My vote is also for painting the wood paneling behind the fireplace & behind the built-in to start. Then see how you like the brick and built-on.

How about a lighter curtain color rather than the dark brown you have?

Also, the leaning shelves and the built-in really clash for me. It seems like the leaning shelf isn't really providing much storage, and is just accumulating knick-knacks. Maybe move it to the far wall in the dining room?

*built-in*

Actually I love the look of the fireplace in the first slide of this HGTV gallery. And I think something similar would go great with your existing decor.

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/hot-fireplace-design-ideas/pictures/index.html

Well, of course I love it. It was designed by Vern Yip.

The built in is gorgeous. I would pay someone to strip and refinish it in a dark espresso, similar to your dining room set.
If money is an issue, simply painting out the paneling and fireplace would make it look more modern.
Best of luck

Paint paint paint. Paint the paneling around the fireplace, paint the brick (my parents had a similar situation, and the before/after is amazing! It really brightens the room and makes it feel more spacious). As for the built-in cabinets, I think you could stain them or paint them. I lean towards painting them, though, as their current stain color is a bit 70s. Possibly replace the door fronts, or remove the top doors? I think it's the quasi-traditional door style that's throwing me off. Open shelves above and closed cabinets below would be a good compromise.

And if it's in the budget, maybe a new fireplace screen...

And for the record, I'm with ghunt on moving the leaning bookshelves: there's something incongruous about their juxtaposition next to the built-in cabinets.

I would get rid of the panelling and either paint the brick or plaster it smooth and then paint it. Or completely replace it with something you like, but that seems logistically much trickier. I think the mantelshelf looks odd floating above the brick and I would make sure it's more connected with the fireplace surround whatever you decide to do with the brick part.

The brass insert really seems at odds with your style, but I don't know what kind of replacement options there are. I'd probably aim for something in a matte black finish.

The built-in I think would also benefit from being at least partially painted so it isn't such an eye-drawing "feature". I agree with the comments that the leaning shelf currently clashes with it, but it might work better if the built-in was the same colour as the wall.

Good luck! A fireplace can be such a fantastic, cozy feature of a living room, so it's worth the investment to make it something you love to look at.

Check out this site: http://www.plattdana.com/
the norfolk, ct 1 fireplace used to look just like yours. The remodel was featured in Domino Mag. I'd look for inspirational photos and think about the whole concept before doing bits and pieces. Painted paneling looks like painted paneling. Consider adding a surprising element into that room. Maybe rehab that bulky cabinet to be floating shelves on top and color down below.

"And for the record, I'm with ghunt on moving the leaning bookshelves: there's something incongruous about their juxtaposition next to the built-in cabinets."

I'd agree w/ that - which is why this room needs more built-ins.

I also really hate the way the sofa blocks off half the room - it makes the living room so uninviting.

I'd place the sofa to the right of the fireplace under the window facing the dining room and the chairs across from the coffee table facing into the room.

I agree with painting the wood panel walls behind the fireplace and wall behind the built-ins a cream to match the walls. Then how about painting/staining the mantel, built-in shelving and the currently white 'frame' around the wood-paneled wall a dark espresso to match the rich color of your dining set and coffee table. The light walls and the dark wood will be really striking! I also agree to remove the brass fireplace thingy, but suggest to replace it with a brushed black or charcoal color thingy so it will add texture and warmth amid the light and dark. @pamh's idea of having a chalkboard style portrait above the mantle is also a great idea, though I might want to do that in a panel within a frame rather than on the wall!

1.) Start shopping for fireplace doors (they are surprisingly expensive)
2.) Remove mantel (I am wondering if you could get away without one if you are going to place a large piece of art there, but I think a simpler, "chunkier" mantel would look great)
3.) Paint paneling same color as walls
4.) Paint paneling behind the built ins same color as wall--then decide what to do about the shelves and cabinets as well as the fireplace brick

I agree with ghunt about the leaning shelves competing with the built ins.

If you are looking for MC design, these are my suggestion.

1) I suggest keeping the paneling, if you like MC design then this is part of the look. The color looks nice one thing I would do is remove the mantle. Maybe replace it with a floating shelf.

2) Remove the brassy plate, it's ugly and dated.

3) I suggest painting the wall built-ins white as to blend with the walls. Too much wood color, the paneling/ fireplace should be a visual point.

4) Paint the dining area, and put a rug to divide the spaces. I suggest gray walls since it goes with everything.

5) I suggest checking out the-brick-house.com. They did a fabulous job on their remodel.

I agree with painting the wood panels. I would suggest considering a simple glaze on every other panel. It gives a rich feeling to the walls by acknowledging the paneling.

It you would rather it look like sheet rock, each grove can be filled with caulk, the walls primed, lightly sanded, primed again, and the groves will disappear completely. Be sure to use a type of caulk that doesn't shrink.

I personally wouldn't paint the hutch. Once the wall is painted, the hutch will pop.

the brick is gorgeous -- leave it alone. But I support painting the built-ins. I'd redo the cabinets in high-gloss finish (primer and super gloss paint!), and I'd paint the paneling around the fireplace a neutral and warm but very pale grey to compliment the brick and your furnishings.

PS -- painting paneling around fireplace will help define your living room apart from your dining room and make your fireplace a focal point.

YHL is truley divine. My suggestion: give the fireplace panneling a whitewashed effect and use brick stain on the fireplace (its not a paint, it will just enhance & darken the color of the brick) spray the metal frame with heat protected paint in a color that will blend in. as for the built-in's I'd stain them that delicious dark brown a'la arts and crafts style. what a fun room!

Looks sort of familiar! We've decided to live with the paneling and brick for the time being since we have more pressing projects to tackle. Plus my husband likes it as is and I'm of the opinion that painting/removing built-ins, paneling, etc is a job best contemplated for a while since it is much easier to do than undo. In our case the living room, dining room and kitchen are very open and the kitchen cabinets are in their original, unpainted state which makes me a little less impatient to get rid of the paneling.

Taking the brass door (we had a brass chain screen thing) off the fireplace will help a lot. I also used a gentle wood cleaner and mineral oil on our paneling which made a difference. I really like the advice about removing the leaning shelf and possibly pushing the sofa back a little too...

Here is my space such as it is, the fireplace is looking a bit messy - it was chilly last night!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29500172@N08/5161730725/in/set-72157608402433801/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29500172@N08/5161730423/in/set-72157608402433801/

I agree with everyone about painting the panelling and possibly even just painting the backdrop for the built ins.

What I'd really love to see would be the books better arranged in the built ins. As it is right now, they look cluttery and mundane. Even just clustering/lining them up by color and size would help SO much. So much more visually appealing. I have a hard time believing that storage that high up requires a dewey decimal system-like organization--just make them look pretty and look a little harder for the book you want the few times you go up there.

And the leaning shelves are great, but need either more substantial inhabitants or less knick knacky stuff. Small sets of alike things would be better than a small photo frame or glass objet d'art all alone.

I love the furnishings and think this looks like a great place to curl up by the fire!

I would make the built-in "disappear" by painting it the wall cover. I love the brick fireplace and I would not cover the brick.

First off, forgive me if others have suggested similar ideas - I haven't read through them all yet:)

I LOVE painted wood paneling. I'd paint all of it the same color as your walls (which I would consider repainting to add some color to your space).

As for the built-ins, I think that stained wood built-ins only work well if you have a lot of chunky wood trim (not paneling) stained the same color to balance it out. As is, they look less like built-ins and more like one of those tacky free-standing wall-units you find in 1980's basement rec-rooms. They stand out too much and disrupt the open feel of your floor plan. Paint it the same color as the rest of your trim (white). Another advantage to that is that whatever you put behind the glass doors will "pop" more if the background is a lighter color.

I'd paint the brick as well. Again, use the same color you have used on the trim, maybe even a shade or two darker (we did that with ours and loved the result). Still, I'd make painting the brick the last thing on your list, just in case when everything else comes together you decide you like it as-is. Once you do it, there's no going back.

I wouldn't worry too much about the brassy fireplace doors. They are expensive to replace and your options are slim. We have an almost identical set and made them work. It meant incorporating touches of brass around the room here and there, but we were okay with that. If brass really turns you off, try taking the whole thing outside and painting it black with spray paint designed to withstand high-heat (same stuff used for grills, engine blocks...).

That mantle ledge should go. Build a nice thick floating mantle right where the brick ends, and stain it. Looks like you've got a lot of darker woods, go with that.

Sounds like you may end up with a HUGE project! Your rooms have great potential and whatever you decide to do, I hope that you have fun with it and will send in some "after" photos. Not enough people do that here on AT.

Thanks for letting us all flex our creative muscles!

Oh, and I would also ditch the leaning shelves, or move them to the wall in the dining area.

Wait - is the glass in the built-in cabinet doors seeded or textured? Glass is cheap. REPLACE!

DO NOT by any circumstances paint the wood panels and cover the brick fireplace. These two things will define your mid-century inclination.

The huge built-in cabinet can go or at least repainted/reconfigured to be more contemporary.

The leaning shelf system is a bit tacky with all its knick knacks. I suggest replacing it with a more MCM shelving (see the-brick-house blog fo ideas).

Reupholster that purple chair with a refreshing printed contemporary fabric. And pull all your living room pieces together with a grest rug.

I would leave the wood as is, paint the cream walls bright white, add some colourful rugs to define dining and living areas, and put some art on the walls.

As Lisa Hunter pointed out, there is nothing MCM in these photos. Your coffee table and chair are Art Deco inspired. Your dining set is a mix of modern table with traditional chairs. Your dining chandelier is shabby/French/romantic. Your bookshelves are new in origin and design. Can’t really see the rocker but it looks 40s and kind of granny.

The only thing even remotely MCM is the wood paneling. And let’s just say that not every design effort of MCM is worth saving. (It’s all about context. Without appropriate context, the paneling on its own does not read MCM… it just reads as dated.)

In a design nutshell, what this space needs is clarity and cohesion.

1) Clarity: Learn what you like. Educate yourself about different styles. When acquiring a new piece of furniture or making a design choice, consider how it reflects your taste and preferences. Learning what you like will steer you away from trends to make choices that you’ll be happy with long-term.

2) Cohesion: Eclecticism is great. But a great eclectic space is composed of different elements that relate to each other in some way, and work together. Sometimes the pieces have similar elements (example: both MCM and Craftsman furniture is clean-lined). Sometimes they complement each other through contrast. But they always work together.

So, to get back to your fireplace:

Lower Budget Option:
---Create a unified backdrop from architectural discord by painting the walls, wood paneling, and brick fireplace the same color. Go with a warm but neutral cream, as bepsf suggested. You could alternatively paint the fp wall/paneling an accent color (but keep the brick cream). This includes your bookcase.
---Get a new mantel. Something substantial, rustic and organic.
---Get rid of the brass fire surround and doors. Too complicated to paint. Go without if you can. If not, replace altogether.

Higher Budget Option:
---All of the above, AND get rid of the brick and paneling and mantel and re-face your fireplace wall. It could be steel, different brick, Venetian plaster or whatever you like. It could even be a freestanding fireplace (Did you see Jonathan Adler’s piece in the Sunday NYT? Now THAT would be MCM.)

Have fun and post some after photos.

I am on the side of painting all the wood, and brick too. Right now, the room looks very broken up, and I think it needs a fresh start. Painting everything a pale color would look amazing(white or cream or light grey). If you want a little contrast, paint the wood built-in and fireplace paneling and brick white, and have a light neutral on the walls.

I agree you should look at YoungHouseLove.com - look at their den transformation.

I also think the furniture can be rearranged slightly. Also the tilted shelf can go away, and look at the rest of the accessories in the room. I think you need some larger accessories. The small stuff looks like clutter. Also, pls get a nice large area rug for the space between the fireplace and couch. This room is going to look awesome!

Can't you take the paneling down? Do you know what's underneath it? We had some rooms in our house that had one wall paneled and we just took out the paneling and touched up the wall underneath and painted it.

I'm also not loving the look of all your books crammed into the bookcase. Try breaking up the look by placing some of your books on their sides and incorporating some of your glassware or a vase or a photo inbetween (or on top of the books lying down.) What's your plan with the rest f the bookcase? It looks very 'top-heavy' because you have nothing on the lower half. The large urn on the floor also looks strange. Try putting it up on the middle opening (below books.) This could also be a quaint mini homeoffice you rework some of the items. The opening in the lower half is a great place for a desk chair (think MCM not Office Depot.)

I didn't read all the input here, so please forgive me if ten people already said this! (Hey, I'm tired, but I'm trying to help!)

I agree mostly with bepsf. However, some fireplaces kind of require a fireplace door -- they don't properly draw without it. If you plan to use the fireplace, I'd consider that -- have the fireplace inspected (chimney sweep) to be sure there is no creosote built up, and ask them whether you need glass doors or not. If you do, at least steel wool the brass and paint it with a heat resistant black paint.

Also, the proportions of the brick on the top and on the sides of the firebox look wrong to me. I'd cover the brick with tiles of some kind, but I'd make the top of the fireplace the same width as the sides -- another option is to COVER part of the sides so both dimensions are the smaller one.

A little late but in a quick skim, I didn't see anyone mention this, so thought I should add it:

1. In most states, if you have a working fireplace and you don't have any kind of fireplace cover (either glass doors or a screen), you will get big black marks on your home inspection. It's completely against fire code. (Not saying you have to have it all the time, just that it must be present when you're inspected or you're likely to get told it's mandatory that you go buy a screen/insert before you can sell the house.)

2. Removing wood paneling is not just a chore, it may also mean redoing the entire wall behind the panelling, if the panelling was originally glued as well as nailed (and most are, especially if it's not solid wood). Trying to cover with caulk? You'll be there all week, and it'll always look like you tried to cover a paneled wall with caulk.

Instead, just go to the hardware store & pick up drywall screws and drywall, and cover the wall outright. Because the panelling makes for a steady base, it's a great deal easier for a beginner, plus drywall is very forgiving when you're learning. Screw into place, tape the seams, run mud, let dry, sand, mud again if needed to smooth, sand, prime, and paint.

3. If you decide to cover the brick, you can plaster it with cement-based stucco/plaster, or tile it -- just make sure that there are no flammable materials (ie wood) within a certain distance of the opening. (The "certain distance" varies depending on the size of the opening, but in general, you want nothing flammable about 16" from the top of the fireplace opening, and at least 16" or so non-flammable on either sides.) Do a google search for more info; although states vary, there's plenty of info on general housing/fire codes. (Violating that may render your house insurance null if you do ever have a fire.)

Regardless, cement or cement-based variants (like plaster or stucco) are considered non-flammable, as is tile.

Once you cover the wood and have primed the drywall, you'll already see a massive difference. We don't realize just how much light/reflection gets sunk into dark wood walls until the dark wood is gone!

The things you want to change are the only things I like about this room... that said, it probably means they all need to go, since they obviously don't go with your style (which, as a few others have suggested, is *definitely* not mid-century modern). Change it if you need to (and it sounds like you do), but it really is a shame to see another beautiful wood-paneled living room get demolished.