Fireplace Makeover

I finally started working on our family room.  After much debate, research, and brainstorming I finally just decided to paint the fireplace.  If the brick were a "prettier" brick, I would not have painted.  I typically like natural-type decor but this brick was just not pretty at all.  I also looked into changing the front or facade of the fireplace but since it is raised up and not level with the floor, we just couldn't find a way to do it.

Before

First thing I did was to vacuum all of the dust from the fireplace.

Then I wiped down the whole thing.

I just used primer and paint that I already had.  I read several articles saying to use this paint or that paint but before going out and investing more money, I thought I'd take a chance on these.  

I primed the fireplace and the mantel.  I gave it 2 coats.



I then painted it with a paint called Heavy Cream.

Next step is to pain the wall behind the fireplace a green.

Then, I'd like to build something like this:

I want the unit to take up the whole wall and let the green show through in between the shelves.