Storage and Style

Tall lower cabinets that meet the mantel hide electronic equipment and give this built-in a distinct look.

Built-in units are hard workers. They boost a room's style quotient and provide hidden storage as well as display space. Options abound, so choose a design with a look that best suits your needs.

These days, with all of the audiovisual choices, a built-in is not just about housing a TV. In the planning process, Richmond architect Charles Aquino advises homeowners to consider the number and size of components that will be stored and how they are to be accessed and controlled. For David and Lynn Purdy, Charles designed a creative unit with generous lower cabinets large enough to hold their TV. The cabinets have pocket doors that tuck away, and the television is housed on a roll-out cart. The tall cabinets are the same height as the mantel, creating a seamless line along the entire built-in. "The design enlarges the whole wall and allows for a continuous shelf where the cabinets meet the mantel," says Charles.

The shelves above are fully adjustable to suit changes in the size of display items. Charles used plywood veneer instead of shelving board. "It's more stable and doesn't warp as easily," he notes. Crisp white trimwork creates clean lines around the unit. The bookcase backs are painted a bright green to match the wall color. The hue draws out the colors in the accessories and makes the items really stand out-a bright accent to an already beautiful built-in. (For sources visit southern living.com/features.)

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jan 2006
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