brick painting or staining

This is relatively similar to what it is now;

http://www.americanblinds.com/wallpaper/productid%2c105409?cm_mmc=googwppb-105409-pla-38201463912&gclid=COO4oYmZx7wCFStnOgodp0oAnw

You realize that the example you picked is wallpaper not brick?

Yes I do.
It was the closest I could find in color and distress.

Here found a better pic
The bedroom pic

http://www.opaldesigngroup.com/Blog/Oh-the-many-styles-of-red-brick/

If your bricks aren't the shade you want (or a blend of too many shades), as you imply by the wallpaper sample, it's unlikely that any stain is going to even it out. In the first example, the gray paint was probably sprayed on, perhaps 2 light coats (rather than 1 or 2 coats applied with a roller) to minimze the typically gloppy look of painted brick. In the bedroom example, it looks like the bedroom wall was wire brushed or otherwise sanded to smooth it out a bit, and then possibly treated with a satin-finish or low-gloss sealer. The bedroom wall has the advantage of having bricks with reasonably consistent red tones. The prep work for either is insanely dusty work.

Spraying hadn't even occurred to me as an option. That does look like it was the most likely method.
And yes Im not a fan of the "gloppy" look on brick.

I may experiment with a brick or 2 with some stains to see if I want to pursue.

Thank you Aaron.