I think that fluted portion above your fireplace will be very difficult to resurface. I don't like the idea of Sheetrock -- the floor to ceiling brick adds a strong statement to your home. If you don't like the color, you can paint all of the brick a solid color. There is also a brick stain that you can use. You basically paint the stain on each individual brick (not the grout) to change the brick color. It's a tedious process, but I think gives a better result than paint since the brick still breathes.