How do I add a focal point with 20 foot ceilings above my fireplace?

I have a boring 5 foot wide firplace with 20 foot high ceilings in the family room. It separates the family room from the living room. The chimney part of it (4 feet above the fireplace) is only 3 1/2 feet wide all the way to the ceiling. My decor is rustic reds and dark yellow in the kitchen (the joining room). I have a brown sofa and redish, tan, sand color stripe curtains on the slider(opposing wall of fireplace). The entire room is painted a sand color, warm but bright. I'm thinking about painting it a deep red (almost merlot) and adding a manlte. Is this a good idea?