A mantle gives a complete look. I love it!

I'd include a mantel and forget the hearth, or at least recess it into the floor.

Agree with Lyn

Put a mantle over the fireplace only - don't run it under the shelves. Same with the hearth (depending what's on the right side, I see that as toe-stub central).

Thanks for the comments. I'm stuck with the hearth at this point as it has already been completed. The right side is pretty open and there is a vestibule that leads to the master bedroom.

Personally with the unit being that low I would not use a mantel as you will need to be sitting and looking directly at the fireplace to see the fire.

Run the mantel to same length of fireplace. Do not run underneath the shelves.

Mantle over the fireplace would look good! Keep the shelves open!

Thanks. Are you saying run it the same length as the steel/black or just the fireplace opening?

Between the two choices am going to vote for including the mantel.

I’d skip the mantle and also keep the walls simple.

Why those partial shelves? Unless you have something long you plan to hang on both sides?

I like it better with no mantel. The mantel seems to hide and cut off the fireplace.