I added two more photos to my upper comment. one shows a darker hearth, and the other shows how it would look if you painted the inside of the firebox a matte black
just doing the stone below the hearth shouldn't be that much. it will much cheaper than getting a new hearth top redone.
I don't think you have to wrap the sides. here's what it would look like
But this one goes all the way to the ceiling, yours doesn't, so stopping even w/the mantel might look odd.
so here's one similar to yours w/the sides left alone. Do you like the millwork above the mantel? I know you have your tv off to the left, but what's going on above it or off to the right of the FP
I think what you really need to complete the look is to take care of the sides of the fireplace. right now it's just bare because it doesn't 'connect' with anything. does that make sense?
for instance, see how the shelving and cabinets all work w/the fireplace?
I like your wood console, but you need something else around it to connect it w/the FP.
I love the looks of this one. If you did a semi built-in for the tv off to the left, then maybe you could use your console elsewhere (to the right?) with just some art above it, or something else.
Q
Lots of ideas
Q