You've got a lot of options here. Demos and add sheetrock, ditto but leave one wall brick for accent, glue on a wood wainscoting. stucco over it, add a chair rail- whatever your imagination wants can be done.
It's not my idea of style the way it is which shows why I advise against trendy things that go out of style unless they're easily and cheaply changed. I don't like the extra weight on the house either. Personally, I'd demo it and add sheetrock as that will never go out of style.
Phil