I know this is an old post, but are you planning to paint the brick? That would open up many more possibilities for wall color. We have a 1960 ranch with a center fireplace/chimney, so we painted the brick the same color as our walls both on the main level and downstairs.

I have a summer home in Maine that had panelling in all the rooms. I loved it for a while and then got tired of the darkness soo we bought Kilz primer and primed the rooms one by one and then painted them. We chose a Walmart paint in Country white (warm) and we love it. The entire place looks airy and clean. Any light shade with warmth would look good.