I'd wait on the tile -- hang good art over the fireplace and get your TV and other stuff situated. It's an odd tile, but it should recede once other decor is in place. An intermediate step would to fill in the drywall in the upper part (right over the tile), and then stand a vase on one side, some implements on the other, and there won't be much of that tile to look at. A project for another year.

I have to agree: wait on the tile. Hang a large piece of art for now. I find that whole concoction very odd and would probably want to strip it back to a flat wall. At that point it could be tiled all the way up, or you could add a mantel and tile below that.

I realize now, upon seeing your helpful responses, that I failed to give an accurate snapshot of this situation. He’s lived here for THREE years now lol. He has a TV and stuff in the house. I’ll update photos below. And wow, I can see now just got weird the setup seems to be. The home was a flip in Scottsdale. Originally built in 1997. My bf never even uses the fireplace and he doesn’t like it. Im the handy one between the two of us so I’ll be working on this for him. I enjoy it but didn’t have any direction on the project. You’ve both been very helpful, even with my lack of important details in the initial post.

I’m out of town so I had to sift through old photos where the background is relevant. Please disregard my little dog looking like an alcoholic (blame Amazon for mini sombreros) and disregard my bf acting like ha had any contributor this tiramisu. He sprinkled cocoa powder on top and became a (self proclaimed) Gordon Ramsey.

I agree that the tile has got to go. I wouldn't spend the money to retile when your BF doesn't even like or use the fireplace. I think the most simple thing to do is get a tile paint and paint over the tiles. I would try to get a color that is a near match to the wall color. Then hang artwork over the fireplace. (Tile paint is super toxic. Plan to leave the house and don't have your dog there when you are doing it. It will be worse than his hang over.)

An alternative is to drywall over the entire fireplace and area above it and get rid of the whole thing.

You are hilarious, and I hope your boyfriend is from Pittsburgh, because it gives you both extra points in my book.

Agree with Kendrah that painting the tile would be the biggest bang for the buck -

if you are determined to replace it, you could look at a zellige tile - the style could complement the home I think (not the right style below but just to show the tile)

Warming up the home with more texture (bigger rugs, wood, nubby throw pillows, plants ) etc can go a long way

PS your dog is adorable!!

The real problem is there is too much of the same pattern( the open lattice/arch/swoop). It’s on every surface. Empty the space and add back one piece at a time. I would keep the credenza, find a new home for the chairs, and get a thick, neutral patternless rug in a much larger size. A neutral palette is fine, add interest with texture. As for the fireplace, I would cover the chimney tile with sheet rock and find some art to put there. If the surround still bugs you after that, just paint it.

Would you consider revamping the fireplace entirely? It's not just the tile that needs to go.

The bf and dog pics look really fake to me. But I am not an expert.