Brick Wall Refinishing

[andrya]

Hi. I just recently tore down the drywall to unbare a brick wall down my hallway. It's very old, wall is solid, mortar seems fine but drying and powdering and there are some wood slats between some bricks in place of mortar. My question is -- What would I need to do to make this a lovely hallway wall - all even and maybe even treated??? No clue but I'm very artistically inclined and want to help make this nice for our kind building owner.

[handyandy]

sandblasting if it needs it, and a sealer I'd think...