We recently removed a very dated sandstone rock facade from the front of our fireplace(s). It's a dual fireplace, side by side, separate but connected. Pictures below. Our initial thought was to paint the brick white and cover the rest with white beadboard. Now we are slowly falling in love with the red brick. If we install a mantle shelf all the way around this thing, what do we do with the upper portion of the fireplace? Do we cover it with beadboard? Paint the mastic white? Cover it with sheetrock and paint it white?

We need ideas!