This is the fireplace wall as it stands today (Jan 3, 2010). For whatever reason, the builders put crown molding around the fireplace instead of a mantle. Looking at this wall, it is clear (to my wife anyway) that major work needs to be completed. She wants wrap-around shelving that goes from floor to ceiling on either side of the fireplace with a mantle that goes between. That brass fireplace cover needs to go. Thus begins my journey.

I start these things by stealing ideas from the internet. Google's image search is helpful for this. Here's one example.

Here is another example. My design will more-closely match this one. The boss wants cabinets at the bottom. Ours will be white like in the previous picture. That simplifies things. Painting means that I can use birch plywood instead of oak (cheaper).

First things first. I capture what's already there. This is a model of the wall and fireplace that I made in Google Sketchup. This will let me visualize the shelving in place as a design it.