Built in storage benches on either side of a Craftsman style fireplace
This project was for a Craftsman-era home in the Montford neighborhood of Asheville. We installed two built in storage benches to match an existing brick fireplace.
In some ways, this was "historic restoration" because the home originally had benches which were removed by a former resident. The empty spaces on either side of the fireplace looked forlorn, and it was hard for our customer to find furniture that looked right in those little niches.
Before we began building, we created a 3D model of the benches so the homeowner could visualize them in her home. This gave her the opportunity to make a few small changes in the size and depth of the seats.
When we installed the benches, we painted them to match the existing fireplace. We also cut the wood to fit seamlessly into the space and caulked the edges so that it looks like it has always been there.
The final version is a pleasure to behold. We really love restoring old homes like this to their former glory. The customer was very happy. She said benches made the the space look much bigger, and I agree with her.
Check out the video for a better view of the benches, and to see how they look with the tops open. (Be sure to turn the sound on!)
If you'd like a cozy pair of built in benches around your fireplace, drop us a line. We'll be glad to help you plan the perfect storage solution for your home.