Help with cabinets/shelves on either side of fireplace
We have a new build house with low ceilings (and a stupid design). We have just taken the wall between the dining room and living room down and are in the process of getting quotes for replacing our existing shelving (probably) for units on either side of the fireplace (to the ceiling) comprising deeper units at the bottom and shelving that come no deeper than the chimney breast so that they are flush. Questions:
1. I think building to the ceiling makes the room look "taller" as opposed to building to, say, 50 cms, short of the ceiling which I feel would bring the ceiling down. Is this correct?
2. Should the units / shelves come right up to either side of the fireplace so that there is a clean sweep or stop, say, a foot short so that there is a gap between the fireplace and the unit. I think the latter might make it look less claustrophobic and give a better sense of space but, on the other hand, we lose out on valuable space. Opinions?
3. On one side we want a TV which is either concealed by a door in a unit or pops up from the lower unit. Any great ideas?
4. Colours???? Help!!!! I wanted white or off wite with pale grey but we do not intend to change the carpet (on advice from the carpet people) which is a blue / green colour and we have 100's of books. They are mostly brown, brown/ reddish with gold lettering on the spine which I feel would clash with the grey. Opinions?
Not the best pictures, I know but something to give you an idea.
Comments (11)
rinked
5 years ago- Yes. But with built-ins the crown molding should continue along the bookcases too, so closing off a small section of the top won't look bad. If you don't want to go all the way up, close off the top section, flush with the chimney and column, so your crown molding goes in a straight line.
2. No gaps. But you shelving will need to be a bit deeper then the chimney, because you don't want your books sticking out. If you want some more space between your mantle and the books, have the builder extend the chimney wall sideways, see example:
A Modern Gem · More InfoIf you want your built-ins recessed, the chimney should be filled out.. I would suggest a wider mantle base, from unit to unit, because these little carpet corners will most likely look off..
Simpson Home Renovation · More Info
3. Have a little less shelves where you want to mount your tv. Pop up? That would be a waste of the cabinet below. And doors at that height won't look great too. Have some doors on the lowest section, to balance out the visuals of 'filling' and 'furniture'.
Wheaton Project · More Info
4. The same color as your doors, trim, mantle. White. There will be enough color in them once they're filled.jessica615 thanked rinkedRelated Discussions
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Comments (31)Thanks Decoenthusiaste! Yes that sofa is unavailable here and hard to find anything similar in local stores, but I may have one made up! So yes I’m using the images you post as inspiration and hope to find similar items here, I also love the grey Scandanavian sofa ideas you had earlier, and will use them as inspiration to get a lighter replacement. The blind on my window is screwed in place, but I could easily replace it with something that would let in more light, like the top down blinds (which are new to me!). I’m really glad no one has thought the absence of curtains an issue, as light is scarce here & I prefer the no curtains look. I do agree we should move the car to another part of our drive to get a nicer view out. A radiator cover that could double as a shelf would work well I think, I love the bespoke one, how cool! Also good to find out that you can get ones that allow the heat to rise. Re the music centre, I might replace with an iPod doc with speakers as Glo kindly suggested, In meantime I might cover it (and the dreaded TV!) with a piece of framed art leaning from the floor, aware that’ll be another competing focal point, but hopefully a nicer one! Thanks a lot for the tip re dimensions for a piece of art over the sofa and a coffee table, both of which are on my list to get, I would’ve had no clue re this and it’s fantastic to discover that there are certain rules which, if you apply them, can make your room work visually! Thanks again for the brilliant advice, I really appreciate it....See More
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