In our current home we have somewhat similar built-ins on either side of the fp (ours have no doors), but just thought I'd mention that the section that has our TV is 19" deep and could have easily been 18". Today's TV's are so much thinner, so even with the articulating wall mount behind, I think you really don't need 24", and narrower would likely blend in better with your fireplace depth if you can find cabinets that would work for you in a narrower depth. 24" conjures up visions of the deep armoires--now in disfavor. In a previous home, we used ikea above the frig cabinets to make a window seat. It was much easier than I thought it would be. Molding can be attached to hide any gaps between the wall and cabinet unit and fireplace and cabinet--molding and caulking are your friends! Cutting the crown molding to tie in with your fireplace will likely be the biggest challenge, but there is so much available now online to guide you through. Be sure to plan that your outlets will line up in the appropriate open areas of the back of the cabinets (if there will be any for electronic stuff), so that you don't have one in a place where the side of a cabinet would be located. Really lovely inspiration idea. I think you'd still love the effect even without the curved arch and without the stone all the way to the ceiling, so if necessary, I'd delete those to cut costs. The stone all the way up helps to minimize the horizontal line of the mantle and cabinetry cutting across the room, so if you don't have that, you might want to paint the center section above the mantle a slightly darker tone of whatever paint color you go with. I realize this wouldn't be the first choice--just an option if you have to eliminate the stone on top because of costs. Sometimes DH's have a way of getting the stone costs to work out though. :-)

I think I have exactly those cabinets, or pretty close: laminate with an oak strip? My sympathies. I painted them, inside and out, and it's held up perfectly for more than 4 years. I wasn't even very careful, since I didn't plan/expect it to last long. I didn't even wash the filth off. So if you do it properly, you should expect very good results that should last as long as you need it to. There is a lot of advice here and on the paint forum. Pick an approach that matches your energy level and dive in. I can't even remember if I primed, but I used 2 coats of regular Benjamin Moore on some, then (serial painter that I am) didn't like the color and repainted 2 coats of a Farrow & Ball color over that on some, and painted just the F&B on some others, and on the interiors. There's some scratching where I drag rough mugs over the shelves daily, but it has held up everywhere else, even at cabinet edges and in front of the sink, where rubs and drips are an issue. In several places I removed the doors entirely, which also gives a different look, if that's something that intrigues you. I say pick a color you love and give it a try.

bbstx and shades - that might be the case as on one side of one is the side panel to the opening for the stove and to one side of the other is the side panel to the opening for dw. I'd have Jed be very careful - and then put them back in with another slide out thing on them. thx movinginva - I thought it was a great idea and I'm still glad to see something like that available at HD (local), then I remembered that I only need a rather small trash bin (I don't have that much 'garbage' type trash. I probably only need one to hold about 3-4 gals (size for T or W type plastic bags). BUT, I do think I should start using one for paper /cardboard type trash. I wouldn't mind having paper type 'trash' on a lower shelf with something like soda bottles or water jugs above it.

Here it is with the wallpaper and new bulbs, which echo the ones over the kitchen bar which is similar to the console. I know the chandelier isn't a showstopper, but do like the way everything relates to each other, and am thrilled to just have the house done. Thank you, rred, for all the help and suggestions!