Wow what an open cavas. Depending on your final decor for your new renovation this could be so many styles it's crazy DO NOT just paint the brick. New tile from the mantel area down and then isolate the recess for some storage other than wood in the recessed opening Simple drywall above may work as well although that done in tile to the ceiling would be great if the RIGHT tiles are selected. Remember this is LONG term so careful consideration for color and textures is needed here. I am sure that if you scan enough photos on houzz.com site you will find one thing for sure. You will probably continue to be all over the place. If you like too many things.......hire a designer who comes recommended and LISTENS to YOUR ideas too. Rick Clarke Design Victoria BC

What an incredibly huge fireplace! I recently painted mine, which I thought was huge until I saw yours. :) http://www.revamphomegoods.com/2012/01/before-and-after-fireplace.html I have plans to build a large mantle and bookcases flanking the fireplace. But, while the fireplace is in a transition period, the paint has made all the difference. I think yours would look fantastic painted a neutral color with a large wooden mantle . and you could really showcase a large piece of art on it.

Rick Clarke is right on with asking what style do you want? I think consulting a professional to help decide on a plan to reflect your style would be money well spent. This is a huge decision to make and should be part of a comprehensive plan.
Marie Meko

I agree with figuring out your style first if you haven't done it already. What is the scope of work ? Are you gutting all the bricks ? There is potential to put storage units beside the fireplace, and lots of choices to cover up the bricks.

There are so many ways to reface your fireplace. What is your style? You can face it with raised or inset wood panelling, with stone or faux stone,You can stucco or plaster or drywall. You can add a mantel of any style you desire. It is all dependent on your particualr style. I will attach a couple of before and after fireplaces to give you some ideas. I suggest you go through home publications and websites and clip fireplaces you like; then think outside the box to convert yours. Have fun! :)

Paint it white, put a big white ginger jar in that hole, get a salvaged big piece of oiled wood for the mantle and be done with it.

In my opinion, the entire brick fireplace is way to large for the fire box... I would not paint the brick (it still appears brick). I would enlarge the mantle, wrap it around the edges and add corbels. Drywall above it, then paint it in an accent color... put your fireplace tools (a nice set) between the firebox and wood storage area... finish with pictures, mirrors and accessories above and on the mantle... It would not hurt to change the color from brass to matte black for the fireplace cover that way you could get a nice frame made for the storage area also...

You might try breaking up the wall of brick with a white mantle and surround that ties into matching wainscoting as shown in this charming example. Agree with lowesphil53 about placing an attractive set of fireplace tools in the void between the firebox and woodbox.

If it were me I would get rid of the gold screen or glass on the fireplace Gold seems so dated . Bulk up mantel and go all the way across . a beautiful surround around your fireplace would really make it seem more appropriate considering how large that area is. Book cases or shelves on the left side would really be nice. I think the mantel should be dark there needs to be some contrast with your other wood in the room , Have you ever though of painting just your grout . If you go with a black screen or glass surround , black grout is really nice. I wish you luck I am sure with the great ideas you will receive here from the pros you will end up with a beautiful space when done

Wow, that is a lot of brick. You don't mention whether you want to lean toward a particular style or not, so I assume you'd like to stick with the "early American" aesthetic suggested by the fruitwood-stained trim.

I think I'd try the break up the horizontal with some vertical t&g paneling stained to match the existing wood work and upgrade the existing fireplace doors to a wood or gas insert that will be more heat efficient (but that's a personal bias of mine). In any case, I agree that the brass doors need to go. Sorry.
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I love white painted brick and have two full walls of it in my sunroom. Here's an asymmetrical fireplace design with white painted brick that I think could work in your space:

hey Feeny looks great Love it too. I especially love that your don't the need to load up the mantel less is more love it.

thefamilyray I am with Feeny on possibly painting the brick I am not a white lover in some cases especially walls but do love white painted brick.. I sorta like what coastroad did as well but I for sure am not a lover of paneling but if it was stained as he mentioned then that might be a different story.. I like that look though eye catching!

Holy Cow that thing is huge. Here is a remodel I did about 15 years ago. Four hideous 1980s brick fireplaces. One of them I clad in OSB, painted it black & applied 1/4" birch matrix panels. Another I clad in travertine & chisled away one corner. You can alsi stucco directly over brick. Might look nice to stucco and leave som brick exposed like an old french building.

If you are looking for a more modern look, we just did a recent job that started off with a similar looking wall. This was the after renovation result.

Many good ideas. As a starting point, the objects; mantle, firebox, wood box , wall area are out of balance. The mantle is floating on the wall mass. Replacing the mantle, for example, with a mantle/shelf that extends beyond the ends of the wall would be one element of a solution. That would create the horizontal that's missing.
The opportunity to see photos of the room from different entry points would certainly offer more information.

the fireplace specialist.....that is a terrific makeover!

I used a service called Fresh Surfaces for this fireplace redesign. My client and I selected her materials, then had Fresh Surfaces show us different designs using that material. www.freshsurfaces.com

I've removed the raised hearths on the last two fireplace we've done and was amazed both times at how much better it looked. Both of them came up relatively easy.

UPDATE ON PROJECT - Thank you for all the comments and suggestions. We painted the brick and the walls the same color (SW Conservative Grey) and added a second level (therefore it cut the big brick wall in half- above is now a theater room with a brick wall for a movie screen wall). We painted the mantle and updated the wet bar area to the left (painted the cabinets the trim color SW Cotton White) and added a granite countertop. We also added doors to the wet bar area so it can be closed off. Overall we are very happy with the result and and it was very affordable. Thanks again!

HERE IS THE PHOTO

photo is so small I can't really see the 'after'....

AFTER PHOTO - Hopefully larger than above :)

Wonderful!

How about making your mantle the entire length across. probably install limestone or marble

Love it painted white! Wonderful job!

thefamilyray AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH you got it love it and soooooooooooooooo much nicer great job!

Fresh, clean, perfection!

What a difference! And I love it with your rug too. Simply beautiful!

love it!

That looks fantastic!!

So glad to see someone take advantage of the volume in their home to put in a useful room at the second level. Seems so wasteful to heat and cool an undecoratable space that just looks cool but serves no practical purpose!

Looks great! Nice and clean and comfy, good job!

Here are some images to be considered

Concrete tile overlay?

Yes designed for a makeover

tile over it

Almost 2-year old post.

OP any updates? Would love to see what you've done!