Palmer’s Woodworking designed, built and installed this fireplace mantel and bookcases. The white mantel frames a black fireplace surround, and a bookcase stands on each side with open shelves above and shaker-door cabinets below.

The built-ins fit up under the soffit, where pot lights shine down on the shelves. The white paint matches the mantel, so the whole wall looks like one piece.

A mantel and a pair of bookcases is a classic layout that suits almost any home.

We kept the crown moulding along the top and the trim around the mantel simple, so the black fireplace surround really pops against the white paint. The shelves are deep enough for books and framed photos, and the cabinets below give room for games and blankets. The light from the pot lights above makes the shelves glow in the evening, which is a lovely touch in a living room.

Take a look at the room before and the finished after shot to see the change.

More wall unit projects are in our portfolio.