The right case would continue to have a divider in the middle separating the shelving. A ribbon light would be added to illuminate the top, with a wall switch hidden behind the face frame of the bookcase.
The left case would be modified more radically. Above the new countertop would be a space to house a wall-mounted flat screen TV, mounted on a full-motion articulating arm. Electrical and cable infrastructure would need to be placed in the lower cabinet modification as well as behind the TV. In this way the components could be housed in the cabinet and the cables would be hidden behind the wall. As seen in the photo, the flat screen currently sits on a piece of furniture. The cable wire is threaded up through a air duct. Power for the flat screen and the cable converter box comes from a wall receptacle with power strip.
After consultation it was decided that the opening for the flat screen should be proportional to the flat screen. In this way, a future larger TV could be placed in the opening with no modification to the cabinet.
In the after photo of the right bookcase you can see the modification described in the introduction. A wall receptacle that was 6 inches in front of the bookcase is now inside the lower cabinet. Power from the receptable was used to feed a ribbon light placed behind the top valance of the the bookcase. A switch hidded behind the face frame of the bookcase controls the ribbon light.
The left side modifications included electrical and cable TV connections. An electrical cable was run from an existing wall outlet through the basement into the wall behind the bookcase. Receptacles were added inside the lower cabinet as well as in the wall behind the flat screen TV. The cable TV was also routed through the basement terminating in a low voltage box behind the TV. Component RCA cables were run from the lower cabinet to the wall behind the TV to permit the future installation of a DVD player stored in the cabinet. Power was also brought to a location on the left side of the mantle with a receptacle to enable season displays with lighting to be placed on the mantle. The left side also features a wall switch hidden by the bookcase face frame controlling a ribbon light placed behind the top valence of the the bookcase.
The finished project now has symmetry on both sides of the fireplace, meeting the homeowner's wishes for a flat screen TV cabinet on one side and a lower cabinet with bookcase on the right side.
