Can you post a picture taken far enough back so we can see the wall floor to ceiling. Try to make the fireplace as square as possible in the picture like the example below. Some of us can create mockups showing how it might look with the brick floor to ceiling.

One thing to consider is that it will be difficult to find the exact bricks, so even if you paint everything there may be a noticeable difference in the texture. So you may need to consider covering the existing bricks with a different brick or stone material so it all matches.

Ok here is a photo straight on

What about shiplap? Not sure what your style is but people seem to DIY it quite a bit.

If you keep the bricks and paint it white, could you knock those three small vertical rows of bricks off and do a thicker wood mantle like the picture above?

I really think your fire place looks fantastic! It has a lot of character. Have you thought about framing it with wood 12” all around and adding an additional 12” mantel along the top? Enjoy your project!

I like how you have it whitewashed now. with more of a reclaimed beam, a bit lower, it would look nice. I'd knock off those corbels.

mantle lower, more of a beam (except go all the way across) and the brick taken up.

would look something like this. Much better.

another option you could do, is a herringbone layout to the ceiling

or, like mentioned, instead of brick, do a shiplap

not brick but shows you how the angle would look. this is the type of mantle beam

Or, knock off the brick right were those corbels start, and leave it off. do a beam mantle like this

add art or whatever above it.

Or, take it up and paint it a solid white, remove corbels, add a beam, lower it.

Definitely love the lower thicker mantel, I also really like the darker colored mantel, beautiful pictures, thank you for the ideas!

Here's some things to work with.

Maybe pant the wall a darker colour depending on your room, then paint existing fireplace white with thicker wood mantel. Could look quite smart

I think the big takeaway whatever you do, is that mantle needs to be lower. Even as it is now it is awkwardly high to put an artwork above. Adding onto it as-is will look completely disproportionate. It will take a little work, but good news is I think you can totally make it look awesome as evidenced by some of the reference pics others have shared so far!

I agree with nick. I lowered the mantel in the mockups that I created. General rule is the mantel needs to be at least 12" above the opening of the fireplace. Local building codes will have a rule as to how far above the fireplace opening the bottom of the mantel must be depending on the depth of the mantel...that is, if the mantel is made from wood or some other combustible material. So it is best to check with your building department on this.

I agree, it’s very disproportionate. For the longest time I could never figure out what about was disproportionate but all the pictures make sense. It’s at an awkward height and much too narrow. The fire place is pretty large, I’m 5’4 and it’s taller than I am. I’ll have to figure out how I can lower it without compromising too much of what we have. Thank you for the help guys!