If you want a modern style, I would do a floor to ceiling white linear stone.

You could bring in a simplified mantle (or paint the one you have) - a black or maybe very dark charcoal grey and bring in some art.

As another option, you could also take off mantle completely, and hang art that would take up entire space above the brick.

As to abstract - seems that you have contemporary shades, seating, rug...

How about your favorite text above the fireplace? Right on the wall, or on a framed poster.

Do you like your fireplace as it is now? For it isn't too modern... Painting it white or whitewashing it could change the whole feel of the room. To prevent it from becoming too white, you can paint the mantle black or a dark gray.

So DH, that's your private opinion. I have seen enough places where word art looked very pretty.

Are you thinking about a total rehaul? Or just an easy update? The right way to make this fireplace look more modern is to reface the brick. You can bring a stone or tile right to the ceiling. We also recently did this for a client and we love the results! We removed the brick and replaced it with a Quartz.

Good luck from Hibou Design & Co. in Montreal!

First, fill your firebox with a generous quantity of birch or chunky light-colored logs. A firebox is a black box otherwise. Consider a more modern mantel:

Add a tall basket of logs on the hearth:

Hang a modern landscape art work over the mantel.

A P.S. I'm not sure your gray walls work well with the wood floor, fireplace, rug, and cream furniture. Cream walls would harmonize better and warm up the room.

I like the first one idea of FP by Lynn.

Floor to ceiling - in large tiles or even a slab. It will be an exciting update! We look forward to seeing your photos!

Here's a photo from our Before & After Houzz photos: