I wonder how a stucco fireplace might look with your tile?

Painting it .. to match the wall..perhaps ?…will preserve the unique-ness while diminishing all the color variations on the brick…I think the shape of it is very unique and worth preserving…..I would consider Sheetrock or removal …of the top section as it intersects with the ceiling beam in an odd way

Thank you for your comments. I am thinking of removing top of brick. And drywall/ sheetrock over rest. Aren’t they the same thing? The shape is unique but I’m not a fan!
Stucco looks great. Would I have to remove all the brick first, or can I stucco over brick? I think it’s much more expensive!?!

Pretty sure you will have to remove the brick…and probably the decorative tile as well…in order to cover with drywall…this will leave you with a little “architectural” interest at best…?..if cost is a factor….a coating of paint or stucco will be the most economical….and just for future consideration…i have seen homes sell just because of an original feature like this

That fireplace is a beautiful treasure. Covering it over like it is some ugly zit borders on sacrilegious

Paul’s illustration is perfect. No need to remove the brick just build around/ in front of it.

IMO not a treasure but I need to see the space and your decor.Waht do you mean by keeping the Spanish feel.

Hallett and Co-What do you mean build around it? Do you mean covering it with drywall? That's the decision I'm trying to make. Is that tacky looking or appropriate? Is firerated drywall safe on a fireplace?

I like Paul's picture as well. And Angela's. That's what I mean about Spanish feel. Plain white finish (stucco or drywall?), floating mantel and maybe Spanish tiles around fireplace surround. Thank you for all opinions and suggestions. I'm stuck!

Plenty of instructional videos on youtube on changing brick fireplaces.... framing them out, stuccoing or drywalling. Just decide what you want it to look like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-CHInwWwRk

I dont know if you have thought about adding a light stain to the brick and painting the back wall possibly a differnt color.

We just removed the brick from our fireplace surround and it wasn't difficult. If you do that you then have the option to frame out wall to a more attractive shape and put cement board and stucco over it instead of sheetrock and drywall mud. This would be a safer method around a very hot fireplace.

You could stucco over your brick but the shape seems a bit odd IMHO.

I would remove all of the brick above the first row of vertical bricks above the firebox.

Very much try to avoid building out over the brick with metal studs & drywall because of the nasty intersection with the the ceiling beam. That spot is awkward and a build out/ bump out draws even more unwanted attention to it. Better to have that wall all in the same plane, IMO.

ci lantro makes a good point, that beam is awkward. Probably demo of the top half would be easier

Thank you all for your help. Mojavemaria- This sounds like the way to go to me. I need to find a contractor to do cement and stucco, I think. Did you do that? Do you have a picture of your fireplace?? My guy just does drywall.

ci_lantro.. yes, I was going to demo brick above first vertical row. And then put metal frame and drywall over remaining brick. If I do that though, can wall be built out to be in a single plane? Obviously, this is not a DIY!!! I am just trying to understand my options, and then find someone to make it happen! :)

If you do this with your mantle, you'll be my hero.

I can show you a before and mockup of after but right now its a temporary surround I built from leftover plywood because I was tired of looking at a ripped off fireplace surround!

After many trips to tile stores and stoneyards and a lot of mockups we came up with a plan. Unfortunately even with three visits from us we can’t get a price out of a local cast concrete shop so I finally yesterday talked my husband our building a frame for the concrete board and a limewash over it ourselves. We did stacked stone on cementboard in a previous house but wanted something different.

It’s nice to have a plan in place before you demo but not absolutely necessary. We ripped ours off early because we had a wood stove insert installed. You may be able to get fire rated sheetrock if that would be easier for you.

To Mojavemaria- It's going to look great! Yes I think I will use fire rated sheet rock after demoing top half.

To Paul- Cool mantle idea but I don't think I'll be your hero this time aropund :)