I’m going to have a fireplace between these two sets of sliding doors. The doors are up a step from the floor, and will need some kind of step/transition. I’m having the fireplace wall and surrounding the doors finished with a rustic plaster look. The room is somewhat small, so i don’t want a mantle or hearth sticking out. The fireplace will jut out more than this photo shows, though it’s not a very deep fireplace.

I’m thinking i’d like the bottom of the fireplace to sit at the same height as the top of the step in front of each door. I’d like some kind of uniting decorative element to tie the steps and the fireplace surround together. Thinking soapstone, brick, craftsman tiles?

I’d like a brick element, but not an entire brick surround. Here are some photos with ideas i like. Hoping to find a way to integrate this look in the steps below the doors.

I’m having trouble figuring out how to make this wall look right. Is it ok to have the fireplace not just sitting at floor level? Do i need some simple element that acts as a hearth, if only for the aesthetics? How to best blend the steps/fireplace and surrounding wall that looks natural?