Built in cabinets are a timeless classic in Upstate SC!
With the style of house you are planning, built ins would be beautiful.
Let me know if you need any opinions on builders in Greenville. I know the ones not to use! LOL
Here is a pic of ours. It is not the best angle but it will give you an idea of what we did. HTH

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I reread your post about not needing the storage.
How about a wet bar built in on one side?

We didn't do build ins because everyone other house in the subdivision have them. I thank they are on the way out and will date the house like the cathedral ceiling of 1980's and tray ceilings of the late 90's early 2000's (not that it matters if it doesn't to you) It helps open up the room. Furniture on each side can be changed over the years. And they can be added later if you like. But they are beautiful.

I was just about to say that I should do the built-ins because so much of the house is "different" since it is Shingle Style Inspired, the interior trim will have more of a "Nantucket" look than heavy crown molding, etc., dining room will have high, recessed panel wainscot rather than a chair rail & the kitchen will be inset "Shaker" style painted creamy white that just isn't typical for Upstate. It probably is not a bad thing to do at least one detail that is expected.

Then I thought about the window treatments. The room is 18' across with 12' of French doors (two operable). That leaves 3' on each side of the French doors. The stackback for drapes would be 2' on each side leaving one foot for a built-in if the drapes came tight up to it.

I think I'll post the situation on the decorating forum to see what the general wisdom is. Perhaps, I'm being too conventional in how I'm thinking about window treatments. I'll report back.

echo2400 - My two previous houses had built-ins, but they were built in the 70's. We are doing shallow tray ceilings with simple molding in the dining room & master, but that is so we can layer the lighting with cove lighting in the tray. It may be "corny", but we do like the effect (we're romantics. LOL!)

Thanks - Jo Ann

PS - Lauren, I sent you a PM about builders. Can't see that e-mail account until I get home.

This is a house for sale in our area. I don't know if these are built ins or freestanding, but I love the look. Just a thought for you!

I would say go with what you like, unless re-sale is very high on your priority list. You're the ones living there, after all. Maybe I'm nuts (maybe?) but I plan on putting in our house what we personally like, and I'm not paying the slightest attention to what's 'in'.

BTW- We had a great week in TR- the weather was perfect, and the leaves were at their peak. As if we needed any further motivation! We may have driven by your subdivision- did you ever find out if you have rock to deal with?

Built-ins are a plus for resale but I do not think they are a mayor factor in the decision making and they are not a fad either.
If you do not like them, it's OK not having them.
As a personal preference, I like built-ins. You can make the home look traditional or contemporary depending on the built-in style.

We DID NOT have built-ins on either side of the FP in our old house, and I really missed them; I just didn't know it until we built our new house this year. We have floor to ceiling bookcases with a cabinet base and they are wonderful. You can hide a multitude of stuff behind the doors, and we put mirrors on the back "wall" of each bookcase with glass shelves. They look great. My wife stole the mirror idea from a designer on HGTV. If your great room is going to be somewhat formal (no TV), you might consider a wet bar on one side -- I think that would look nice.