Paint the brick white!

More pics of the room might help?

Here are the before pics. It's an awkward space and small. 20x20. My thought was the fireplace is to big for the space.

I love this one. Is it too simple?

If you're keeping the brick, paint it white!

Wow I really liked the white facade! However since it's been removed, you might consider washing the brick with an acid wash, even the inside where the old fire has stained, and possibly put a beautiful marble mantal and a marble floor right in front of it.

I plan to demo the brick completely. Don't want to paint it or cover it. After I tear it out I'll hire a contractor to redo it. I'm leaning towards a muted tile or concrete but can't decide. The floors will be travertine when the remodel is complete. Would it be to much to tile around with travertine and add a smaller wood surround?

The brick is charred because i had a sudden loss of common sense. :-) I tried a spray sealant on it without realizing the pilot was lit. Caught the mantle on fire. I promise it was an accident.

If you plan to remove the brick, and you will have travertine floors, I would use the same travertine tile right up the fireplace wall to the ceiling. Clean sleek and it would look as if it belonged there. Adding another material will only make it stand out more.

I agree with Barbara, i wasn't aware you were going to take it apart. The travertine tiles will give you that sleek flat look like the picture you posted of the one you liked. And no mantal will be necessary with that look. Good luck and i'm thankful you weren't hurt or worse in the fire!

I get what you are going for but I think the wood floors are very nice and while travertine is also nice it will be very hard on the body and your back. Why not refinish the wood floor with a modern light stain (white wash??) Less expensive and when trends change in future years you can sand and stain again. Here's an idea for a fireplace.
http://houzz.com/photos/6218124

Your floors look to be in very good shape? Do they flow into other rooms as well? Travertine floors, are hard on the joints of people and dogs too.

I wish but no. Just in this portion of the great room. I have three different floors in great room. The dining room, kitchen, and foyer all have porcelain tile. I'm in a warm climate so needed something pool and dog friendly. We are remodeling the kitchen so figured it would be a good time to change.

Wanted to send an update. This is the new tile and surround. It looks cleaner :-)

Tiling over the brick is the way to go !

I was just going to recommend removing the brick....this is a wood burning fireplace with gas logs in it...so the sheetrock behind the brick should be flush with the fireplace face. by removing brick you gain 4 inches and make a clean face. you did a great thing. looks good...also if you were going to keep the same tile as whats on the floor it might not meet the building inspector liking.