Artisan Built-ins, Asheville, NC
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Dark gray fireplace mantel with bookshelves

One of our favorite projects is this dark gray electric fireplace, which is flanked by bookshelves on either side, and which has a style that balances perfectly between classical and modern.
Dark gray fireplace mantel and bookshelves in an Asheville condo
We created this custom unit for a condo in downtown Asheville, at the elegant new 55 South Market Street building.
55 South Market Street
The condos were designed in the latest vogue, with Shaker kitchen cabinets in white and gray, and splendid views of downtown. This concept image from the builder's website gives a good idea of the style.
Example kitchen in 55 South Market Street
The walls were painted white and made a perfectly blank canvas, so the new homeowners brought in Leslie Huntley of Roost Interior Design to spice things up.

One of their concerns was that the cool mountain winters here in Asheville would take some getting used to, since they had recently moved north from Florida. They requested a radiant heat source like a fireplace so they could come home on a chilly day and warm right up.

Obviously a real fire wouldn't work... you can't add a new chimney to a condo! And adding a gas fireplace can be tricky as well, since you'd have to run gas lines to the home. They decided on a Simplifire electric fireplace from Willow Creek Hearth, but there was one drawback: the pre-made mantels were designed for a recessed fireplace that slides into a niche.
Electric fireplace recessed into wall
Of course, the condo wasn't designed with that perfect little nook, so the unit would have to jut out into the room... and since it was eighteen inches deep, it would look out of place if it wasn't treated carefully. That's when Leslie called us in.
Before installation of electric fireplace and bookshelves
Working from her suggestions, we designed a simple mantel to coordinate with the kitchen cabinets, to be painted the same dark gray. She also requested a pair of deep bookcases on either side to disguise the depth of the cabinet housing the electric fireplace.

The wall behind was painted a slightly lighter shade of gray for a quiet "tone-on-tone" effect.
3D model of bookshelves and fireplace for Asheville condo
Next we got to work behind the scenes. Most of our work happens off-site, which makes the process very easy and streamlined from the homeowner's point of view.

The bookcases are much taller than they seem in most of the pictures, because the ceilings in the condo are fairly high. In fact, they were so tall that we had to work around the tobacco poles in our studio (which used to be an old tobacco barn).
Work in progress: dark gray fireplace with bookshelves on either side in Asheville NC
As with all of our projects, free delivery and installation was a part of our service... so back at the condo, the baseboards were carefully removed so that the unit would fit snugly against the wall, and the shelves were caulked and painted into place to look like a continuous part of the room.
Installing bookshelves and electric fireplace in an Asheville NC condo
The finishing touch was marble-effect tile around the fireplace in a soft gray.
Closeup of modern dark gray fireplace mantel with marble-style tile surround
We were pleasantly surprised to see how cozy and realistic the electric fireplace is. And with an energy-efficient 10,000 BTU heater, it definitely puts off a nice warm wave of radiant heat.
What an electric fireplace looks like in real life
A comfortable chair, plus an occasional table and a reading lamp, allow the homeowners to curl up next to the fire with a mug of cocoa and a good book.
Dark gray bookcases on either side of electric fireplace in Asheville NC
An electric fireplace like this can turn any ordinary room into a tranquil retreat from the hubbub of city life. And our furniture is built to last, so it will continue to bring value to the property for years to come.

Call us to get your own cozy library.
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Email ArtisanBuiltins@gmail.com
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Artisan Built-ins
Owner: Arthur Teel
​113 Rector Branch Road, Marshall, NC 28753

ArtisanBuiltins@gmail.com
​www.artisanbuiltins.com
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  • Home
  • Gallery
    • By category >
      • Benches, daybeds & window seats >
        • Built in benches around fireplace
      • Built in shelving >
        • Built in floor to ceiling bookshelves
        • Built in shelving with lighting and windowseat
        • Custom floor to ceiling bookshelves
      • Cabinets
      • Custom Closets
      • Entertainment centers >
        • Arts & Crafts fireplace
        • Built in shelving around a fireplace
        • Modern entertainment center
      • English style mudroom cubbies
      • Entryway cubbies with bench and shelves
      • Fireplaces >
        • Built in entertainment center near fireplace - Asheville NC
        • Dark gray mantel with bookshelves - electric fireplace
        • Half height bookcases around a Craftsman fireplace
      • Kitchen and dining >
        • Custom kitchen banquette seating with storage
        • Kitchen island with breakfast bar
        • Modern farmhouse table
        • Rustic modern built in desk
      • Laundry >
        • Laundry closet with built-in shelving
        • Laundry room and mud room makeover
        • Small laundry room makeover
      • Living room >
        • Low horizontal bookcases around a fireplace
        • Tall modern cabinet
      • Office >
        • Mail sorter cabinet and art desk - Asheville, NC
        • Office bookcase for a printer
      • Secret door
    • By style >
      • Contemporary / modern
      • Rustic
      • Traditional / transitional
    • All projects
  • Quality
  • What to Expect
  • Reviews
  • Pricing
  • Blog
  • Contact