Custom Cabinets Over AC Return with Mantel Effect

The following cabinets were designed for an old house in South Tampa which had an air conditioning return vent off center in the wall. The photo below, taken with my phone (will be updated later with finished pictures) shows the cabinets in place with a coat of primer, sanded, and some caulking done. The air conditioner return is in the middle section right behind the double doors which have a decorative grating panel that is also painted, which allows the air to return through the doors back to the air conditioner unit which is behind the wall in a storage room.

© Florida Craftwood

The base cabinets are about 16 and 18 inches deep center section extended. Adjustable shelves in all cabinets except air return. A TV will be mounted above the mantel shelf center. Once cabinet is finished painted, additional photos will be posted here.

© Florida Craftwood

Cabinet doors are inset to reflect an older style that is actually a higher quality looking design than overlay doors today. Unfortunately, the photos are not as good as my other camera, so looking forward to taking better pics.

© Florida Craftwood

The center section is extended with a pilaster effect at corners as a method to create the mantel effect while adding decorative vertical pieces under shelf, and making shelf thicker with a moulding on the face as similarly at the top of upper cabinets. The baseboard was milled to match existing.

More pictures will be posted when ready.

Fireplace Mantel Designs

Viewing various mantel designs helps clients get a feeling for how design and structure come together in balancing form. Most of these designs are easily built and offer a variety of approaches to acquire both traditional and conventional methods.

Here we have a traditional design, fluted pilasters, plinth blocks integrated into the baseboard, a recessed drop panel between pilasters, molding around the top, and a unique edge profile on the pediment. These are quite reasonable to build and look great when finished. This one is from Mantelcraft.com.

© MantelCraft.com

Here is a pre-fab from MantelsDirect.com, a very clean design but the plinth blocks have been shortened to accommodate existing moldings, in this case, baseboards which are tall enough to reveal upon through the use of a wall banding piece which is slightly thicker than the baseboard (not shown). These designs are quite easily custom made offering additional possibilities.

© MantelsDirect.com

Adding columns to your mantel can enhance the depth and warmth into your room as seen below from Onyapan.com. Here, the columns hold up the architrave as in an entablature, and above the frieze section with the cornice at the top. At the base of the columns is the pedestal. No particular architectural order is implemented at the capital.

© Onyapan.com

Again, another super clean design that look fabulous when finished. This one comes from Homedit.com. The matching of material such as the cornice molding and flat panels is necessary so that all the parts are made of the same wood type.

© Homedit.com

In looking at hundreds of mantel designs, many times you will find that what is missing is proportion, in many cases they are too wide, too tall, too much elaboration, too thick, etc. Simple often takes the cake and offers the eye a pleasing effect as seen below with wooden corbels holding up the pediment. This is from HomeDesignLover.com.

© HomeDesignLover.com

A properly proportioned mantel still throws wonderful shadows, especially if done in white. Many corbel designs are available pre-fabricated and can also be custom built. The combination of the cove and bead adds a nice touch in simplicity.

Bookshelves Surrounding Fireplace Mantels

There are numerous examples of bookshelves surrounding fireplace mantels online to view, however, many are not built to please the eye as some of these examples. A lot of really nice craftmanship even if the mantels are not integrated properly. Here are a few examples of fine woodworking inclusive of outstanding architectural design.

This first one comes from Houzz.com. Notice how the toe-kick area has a furniture feel while also allowing the feet to not interfere with accessing the shelving. This is a very simple design, but because everything is coordinated so well, fancy profiling becomes unnecessary. The contrasting mantel carries the eye while the shelving supports the overall feeling of order. Having the shelving and cabinet area built into the wall with the extended soffit and ceiling molding provides a nice balance.

© Houzz.com

Here is another example of fine integration, although the style does not seem to fit the house. Here, no television is assumed above the mantel, however, in this house that might have been appropriate. This particular style for a vaulted ceiling is a bit of mixing tradition with modern thinking while absent the pediment that would normally address the fireplace. This photo comes from Pinterest.

© Pinterest

This one is an outstanding example of pre-planning and structural integration with fluted pilasters, a keystone arch design, also including the elaborated furniture style toe-lick and matched nicely to the primary pilasters around the mantel. Maybe slightly overkill on the capital effects, looks like they just barely fit on the wall. Here, the shelves are not too long while also nosed on the front adding depth. The cabinet tops should have also been thicker to match the shelves. This one is also at Pinterest.

© Pinterest

Another example of fine craftmanship with fluted pilasters, a plinth at their base with some type of rosette at the top matching nicely to the rosette effects on the mantel. The additional cabinet on the left meeting the wall is quite appropriate for the space. The base is integrated along with the ceiling moldings. From Pinterest.

© Pinterest

Finally, here is an example of integrating shelving with mantel in a simple design without excessive profiling or elaboration, yet blended well into the room. Notice the cabinet areas are just slightly thicker in depth than the pediment above the fireplace while also not too much thicker in depth than the bookshelves above resulting in a pleasing effect on the eyes. This comes from Grafik Medya.

© Grafik Medya

There are many more examples, but I find that in many cases preferences whether good or bad often override the resulting aesthetic value expected in fine woodworking.