Ah, so your new bench would come from out from wall like the existing one? How about doing something like this (see pic) but using a normal mirror as the back piece. It would reflect the floors and make the island (or return bench?) appear more open then it actually is. I'm not sure if a smoke mirror has been used here or just a high gloss panel. I would actually allow for more storage anyway, even if you don't envision you'll use it at this point. As they say, "you can never have enough storage".

Great idea!

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A couple of things I'd do -- I'd do a teak mantlepiece , to tie it all in . Either the same thickness as the shelves ( looks 25-30mm ? ) or double that . Also , I think the TV is wall mounted , but I'd go higher -- my opinion is that there should be a 30cm gap between the mantlepiece and the TV , or go 'halfway' so theres approx the same distance from the TV up to the ceiling as there is down to the mantlepiece . Again , just a personal preference , but it's best to be looking up a bit , and have the TV angled slightly , OR have a low TV cabinet and sit the TV on it .