Hmm i assume you're asking about a decorative treatment to the face?

What about tile?

chalkboard paint! just kidding ... how about wallpaper? there are some really great wallpaper designs out there. Though this birch tree paper (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-what-is-this-wallpaper-015132) has apparently "been everywhere lately" I think it would look nice in your space. Though a little pricey.

Ikea has fabric panels printed with birch trees that might work if you can paste those up there somehow. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40122212

Graham Brown also has some cool "feature wall paintables" that add texture and pattern while allowing you to change it up from time to time by simply painting on a new shade. http://www.grahambrown.com/us/store/viewCategory.do?id=3175644

I really like the location and placement of the new fireplace - Congrats!

Since you have lots of brick all over the place, I would not choose tile or stonework for the vertical face. I'd prefer to see a sleek surface that can easily be worked into the notches created by the exiting mortar joints in the adjacent brickwork.

I'm leaning towards a pale taupey/grey Venetian plaster on the vertical surfaces, and a simple dark stone-slab hearth which you could find and have custom-cut at a local stone cutters from a remnant piece - just be sure to make a template of the hearth so that the cuts can be done for a perfect fit.

I like the idea of concrete or back painted glass tile. Here are some examples

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100632905

http://www.annsacks.com/onlinecatalog/program.jsp?cat=268004&coll=268204&prg=1207404

the most important thing to consider is flame resistance. Fabric and wallpaper are risky to put on an area that will get hot. Even if you aren't concerned about flammability, fabric or wallpaper could get sooty and discolored.

Agree about the flammability issues. I've seen some great blackened steel surrounds; it would be nice with the brick.

I love the idea of using a big, thick piece of reclaimed lumber as a mantle shelf and doing a minimalist concrete or tile treatment beneath it.

Tough one, without knowing your style or furnishings -- a blank slate!!! In that case, I recently saw a tile called Sensitile Scintilla and it is rather amazing, sparkly and beautiful ... Their website says:

Hundred of light conducting channels are carved into a transparent block of clear of pigmented polymer to create each Scintilla tile. Together these fiber-optic elements give the material the ability to magically shift, shimmer and ripple in response to movement and changes in light intensity on the tiles. The tiles will respond to shadows, moving lights and will also pick up colors and disperse them on its surface

Their website is:
http://www.sensitile.com/home.htm

I agree with the comments about concrete- that would look really great. Tile or stone would probably clash with the exposed brick. I thought for a minute maybe a gigantic sheet of stainless steel/metal but I think that might be a bit much...

I know I will get some flack for this one but, I would paint all the brick white. Then for the fireplace I would go with the black slate or maybe stainless tiles or all stainless.

I believe in Chicago you need either 10" or 12" of fireproof material surrounding the face of a fireplace, you'll need to look for the exact code requirement.

I'd do a twist on the suggestions above. Do a stone slab surround, or a tinted concrete. Then veneer the entire fireplace with the veneer running vertically to make it appear taller. It appears you have dark furniture, so I'd use something with a very dark, dramatic grain. My personal favorite is Zebrawood. You can pick up a 4'x10' sheet of paperbacked veneer for ~$190:
http://www.veneersupplies.com/product_info.php?cPath=51_75_76&products_id=4901

Since it's paper backed, you can simply glue it in place (look online for suggestions on glue and procedure) and then finish it as you would any other wood product.

How about a venetian plaster finish?

http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/tradingspaces/project/project_12.html

http://www.venetian-plastering.com/

All,

Thanks for the great advice. I looks like my wife and I are leaning towards a concrete surround for now. Our style tends to lean towards straight seemless lines, more on a modern side. I've made an arrangement to meet with Concreteage Art Works this friday. Hope it all goes great!
http://www.concreteageartworks.com

As for furniture, we are currently in the market to purchase new living space furniture. But the plan, at the moment, is on focusing on the fireplace as the focal point of the room and then find furniture that will best suit it and suit our style.

Someone also metioned painting our brick white. That's something that we have really considered in the past, but have not had the courage to do for resale purposes. I'm pretty sure my wife and I would love the way our space would look whith a complete white out :)

We wil keep everyone posted on the progress!

Thanks

Luis

hey luis, any progress? would love to see some updated pics. i'm in an almost similar situation & looking for ideas. would love to see how your fireplace turns out. i think the concrete would look great in your space!