Exposed brick in a home is such an exciting and somewhat rare element that people are willing to search high and low for it. And once it is found — you've successfully hit the jackpot.
There has always been a great debate as to whether brick should be left alone or painted and really, there's no right or wrong answer. Brick walls in the home demand attention and really set the tone for the space — the furniture and accessories just steer the direction of the final look.
When left unpainted the true history and overall essence of the brick really shines through. It's easy to pick up the natural colors in the brick and accent them through furniture and accessories. Painting brick is just as beautiful because paint is such an easy way to customize the look.
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We exposed our brick and there was nothing easy about it. Anyway, I'd hung artwork on the brick wall and ended up hating it. It now stands bare, in all it's glory, and I love it.
I've never understood the fascination. I have lived with brick interiors in apartments, my parents' homes, and where I work. It's ok, but it's difficult, dusty, and limiting. Not my idea of a "jackpot", although I acknowledge your mileage may vary.