Forgive me, but I am not sure what your question is here. However, I would recommend sheetrocking over the top half (from the mantle up to disquise the uneven ceiling. If it is all white, you will notice it less.

You can always paint it to help blend it in some.

You would be amazed what just putting new doors on it will do. We recently replaced our doors with a new oil rubbed bronze. Real rly helped a lot

Great ideas, any recommendations on a mantel or what to do above the mantel?

I would paint out the brick white, take out the brass doors, try a chunky piece of white washed wood(grey tone)for the mantel.

Is your ceiling high enough for fake beams? That could further the coastal cottage look, let the duct work "dissappear" among the other beams, and maybe even balance out the fireplace chimney.

Sheetrock the top, paint out the bottom in white and put a reclaimed wooden mantle on it!

HI -- Fireplaces usually are not out dated , just what has been added to them ,like the firescreen is the out dated part. For the top part just add a strip of drywall about an inch or so deep across and around the top to match the depth of the duct box. You can keep or lower or remove mantel . If you keep the mantel the way it is then display only something that is low and long such as a long narrow mirror or painting or an ornament like a long asian dragon or a reclining asian figure something along those lines.Maybe adding some tile to the hearth will give it a new look.Black slate or granite would look new and modern. Having all the new part on the back in something as dark as the fireplace brick would tie it all together . Clad in a wood with a horizontal grain with the corners mitered so that continues the texture,color and lines of the brick.

It is a nine foot ceiling.

perfect!

I personally would not drywall over the uneven portion. Your brick would look awesome glazed over in a light grayish color. Replace or paint the current fireplace screen. Then frame it out in white. (if you like contrast, if not you could make it dark too like the mantel.) Then put some type of a mirror to the left, something like this is an idea, http://www.kathykuohome.com/Product/Detail/2718-Large-Lodge-Rustic-Southwest-Antique-Gold-Stone-Sunburst-Mirror Then on the right side of the mantel, a floral arrangement that fits the space, ideas on this site, (make sure you scroll down.) http://www.insideavenueblog.com/2012/12/silk-flower-arrangements.html And you could do some candles on the left side of the mantel, these would look awesome, http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3205557/thumbs/www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3205557/list/Coastal-Modern You have lots of options, so much depends on what colors you are going to use.

I would use some natural stone veneer to go over the brick and a nice wood mantel. Check out the stone veneer at www.netsveneers.com

wow - that looks great.

I would overlay it with faux stone. We did that to this old brick fireplace and it turned out beautiful. Not terribly expensive. Product is El Dorado Nantucket stacked stone.

I don't think the uneven ceilings matter in this case. I think you're distracted with the contrast of the brick color, the fireplace doors, and the wall colors. Definitely upgrade the doors or paint them black. Choose a mantle you like... reclaimed, rustic, or perhaps a wide beam style. That might be all you need if your paint color for the walls compliments the fireplace. If that isn't enough perhaps veneer the brick with a cultured or natural stone. There are a huge varities in colors, textures, design in both. If you choose to veneer then veneer the back side of the fireplace as well...look like it was meant to be. (pic #2 is what you see in entry= the back side of a fireplace that faces the living room as you walk in similiar to yuor situation)

I would paint it white and replace the doors then add a mantel

Three-sided wood mantle that fills the space on both sides of the brick and paint or replace doors with new screen and/or reface with ledgestone. I totally agree with lefty47-the brick is usually not the culprit and people are too quick to recommend painting. I generally see paint as plan B unless you just plain hate brick. In this case, however, painting would not be a bad idea if you are going for a coastal vibe.