I like river rock. I'd consider removing the paint -- sandblasting? -- and replace that mantle with something more standard. It and the river rock aren't friends. Looks like a pile of marshmallows.

This Since it's asymmetrical, don't call attention to it by putting something in the middle. Remove those lower two plants and candles. you could do a basket w/a throw if you like. I'd bring in a natural wood mantle (I used a thin one in the pic above) I actually like doing something above your fireplace so that it's more of a focal point. I'd like to paint it a darker color. black, a dark bronze, something. Maybe one of these darker colors Then I'd bring in furniture that looks something like this: I'd also do a hide rug, maybe layer it over a jute or sisal. if you like the lighter neutral tones: you could also do the wood mantle and do a bunch of plants. (no candles) another photoshop. I opened up the firebox and got rid of the gold. if you must keep it, consider painting it a matte black. easy to do what's on the sides of the fireplace? do you have room to do any built-ins or something? BTW, just for grins, if you want to see what you stone looks like painted:

I would sure like to know what is under all that paint and stuff. Could be some nice brick? If not then my thought is something right to the ceiling but no mantel.

BeverlyFLADeziner, I did. lots and lots of videos… yes i have to admit i got cold feet early on and tried to get a bunch of the mortar off ( if u can believe there was actually more) the mortar is too white and kind of looks more like German smear than overgrout. the video tutorial i watched used white mortar but i think their tile format was bigger so i ended up with more mortar than brick 🤦‍♀️