Any ideas for a budget friendly update on this brick fireplace?

Driftwood, Netting or large rope wrapped on a tall post like on a pier, find large ot all items. you have a lot of wall space. I could see a large piece of fish net draped down the wall from the opening. And large drift wood along with the net. Hang "stuff " on the net or leave empty. I think rope covers posts would look great on the hearth. Good luck . Post after pictures.

Gold / silver mirror. Large enough to look opulent and reflect other Hamptons items in the room?

shiplap the wall? Get rid of that fake plant too. Dusty up there close up that hole. Then you can hang a nice painting of the shore. Just my idea.

shiplap is a great choice.

We're in process of demo right now. Former owners left that lonely plant. Also thinkinking of closing the opening off.

Thanks

yes ship lap in white, close up opening and a lovely watercolor of the beach

I think perhaps shiplap removable wallpaper. Easy to use and remove. And perhaps a large round starburst mirror with driftwood. Some candles with shells. I would fill in the opening in the upper right hand corner and paper over it with the ship lap paper

I'll check out the wallpaper 😀

I would repaint the brick in a milk type paint that you can sand off and make distressed. A new mantle is sort of a must. I would also close in that hole and do multi- family pictures above it with some eclectic frames.

Thanks. I'm flipping this home with my 34 year old son. I dont think he's going to go for milk paint. I love the idea.

Maybe a mosaic of shells/beach glass framed above...