Fireplace ideas

[Jacob A.]

I was hoping to get a little discussion going on what to do with the brick fireplace I have in the pic below. My fiance had a great idea to whitewash it or paint it a lighter color. I hadn't originally planned on doing anything with it other than cleaning it up, but it seems like something that can be knocked out fairly quickly it would make a pretty large impact and brighten the place up. This is why I love BP, let those opinions fly!