I had a marble fireplace (inside a wood surround) which was far too formal in my home. Five years and no issues using a tile setting mixture full strength. It was easy. I didn't use anything else due to questions regarding heat. It can also be painted. I aged it after painting with stain and wiped off quickly. All has held up well and prefer the look to painted masonary. You can buy this dry and already mixed. I used the premix.

Its going to be difficult to change the "character" of the room too much, so centering the fireplace would not give you a lot of bang for the buck.

One thing that would actually look nice in this room if you have the budget would be a triangular window in the space above the window next to the fireplace: That way, the end wall would be comprised of fireplace and glass.

Rather than close up the narrow window completely, why not put a louvered shutter on it? That window is another contemporary element of the room.

I can understand wanting to reface this fireplace because the brickwork seems a bit uneven, with that tall "column" of brick that isnt interwoven with the other brick.

But, overall, I would recommend a stucco-like surface rather than drywall. I think a rustic mantle would look good here, and I would consider painting the beams dark to match. I know there is a tendency to paint all this stuff out white, but this is a house wirh rustic-modern elements, and trying to veer too much from that won't be a success unless you change everything about the room.

Thank you -

I had been wondering what to do with that triangle above the window.