Thanks all. I did the sheetrock above the fireplace when we first moved in 3 years ago. It took me forever to decide what I wanted around the opening and on the hearth. I love it and am REALLY glad it's done. Amy, I did not remove the brick. Both the sheetrock and the granite went right over the brick.

I would begin by removing the lacquer.....which you can do with nail polish remover. I use the 100$ acetone stuff used by the salons. Then see what you find beneath. Sanding will scratch the metal.....and gum up the sandpaper... polish remover is neater and cleaner....just don't smoke while you are doing it!

Could ya retile right over it? Would be a few hour job. If you added a live edge wood mantle, it’d be beautiful!

it already is refinished. What do you have in mind? Remove all of that stuff if it's yours. Simple option, remove all the stuff, add a wood beam mantle, bring in a few design elements, and maybe hang a nice piece of art on the wall above it. Simple, cheap and easy. paint the wall a dark color so the white pops. go to home depot, buy a Fir beam (maybe a 2x6 or 4x6) have them cut it to the length you want, and bring it home. Beat it up a bit with heavy chains and tools to 'age' it. now stain it a walnut color. ( ( (Sand it first if you need to) put a satin coat of poly on it. Install it on top of the brick. hang a nice piece of art over it. You could even get a solid piece black granite or slate and use it for the hearth. Style it exactly how it's shown here!! maybe do some shelving on either side. you like black better? paint it black. you can still add the wood mantle. (but not one like this: bring in some type of mantle, and maybe do some trim or panel work above it, even some book shelves on either side, or floating shelves would look nice panel trim work above the mantle,,, this has been retiled w/large square tiles and some panel molding above the mantle added. you could easily do something like this on top of the brick shiplap or tongue and groove planks. any of these doable for you? (and please, no glitter)