I would do Stikwood over that fireplace. Would make an awesome accent.

Here's how these guys did it. Doesn't look too difficult.
http://theletteredcottage.net/my-82-fireplace-makeover/

What about just beefing up the mantle?

If it were me, I'd keep it as is. But if your husband really doesn't like it...

You can easily have a finish carpenter build a new mantle face and go over top of the old. It would be simple for him to duplicate or make a similar to the one you like. I would have a tile installer do the tile work before installing the new mantel, then caulk between mantle and tile.

Here is a photo of a new fireplace front that I designed for one of my clients. It is a combination of wood and tile. We did the very same thing, tiled first and then had the finish carpenter add the wooden mantle areas followed by the tile installer again.

The last three photos are similar tile mosaics, all from Statements Tile, Inc. Photo 2- Alhambra/ Photo 3- Cattadrale & Photo # 4- Tosca.