I'd try to work with the curved shape rather than demo and start over. Here are some inspo photos:

Spanish Revival · More Info

Kensington Heights Spanish Revival · More Info

Note there is no stone or brick in these examples. Just clean, smooth stucco.

Thankyou. yes i definately want yo keep the curved shape. i wonder how easy would be to apply stucco over the brick

Stucco over brick is not difficult, but it takes some time. You'll want to make sure that the surface is a bit rough - what type of paint did you use? You might have to prep the surface before applying the stucco.

Thankyou even with the paint the surface is very rough from the german schmear

What style is your house? The door that is showing in your picture is traditional, the curved fireplace is - I'm not sure what - mediterranean or southwest? Before you try anything else on the fireplace, decide what you're going for. The wood slats you show as a possibility are very modern and definitely don't fit unless you're doing a wholesale reconfiguring of everything in your house over time to make it MCM.

Hmmm yeah thats a good point! the house is going to end up being more country rustic. we are doing a live edge headboard etc. i agree the wooden slats would probably look too modern. i think plastering it smooth is probably the best way to go…country slash meditteranean if thats a thing

Thanks. what app are you using? we both actually really hate the brick texture. the closet doors are bifolds that we repurposed into french style pivot doors so would want to keep those as they run throughout the house. thanks for your ideas

Consider painting it black...including hearth. Notice how the gray hearth ends on the left. It's two bricks too long. Remove them so that the hearth lines up with the bricks. Then add a plant as Beverly suggested.

Paint the walls Repose Gray and the doors black.

What architectural style is your home? Your fireplace should be in the same vein. Always look to history for direction (unless your home was built after 1950 in which case just do what you like).

It was built in the 80s. the previous owners took 20 years to build it but i’d say its pretty 80s. lots of pink and gold accents.

BEVERLY, yes. Perfect rendition.

Do you use the fireplace? If not, will suggest you have it removed as your partner suggested.