Case Study
Contemporary Media Wall with Glass Shelving in Catford, London
This bespoke media wall in Catford, London, was designed around an existing chimney breast to create a sleek, contemporary focal point without compromising valuable floor space. Featuring an Onyx Avanti 150RW electric fireplace, illuminated glass shelving, bespoke shaker cabinetry, and integrated LED mood lighting, the design demonstrates how an existing chimney breast can be transformed into a stylish and practical entertainment wall.
Location
Catford, South East London
Room Type
Living Room
Fire
Onyx Avanti 150RW
Key Features
Onyx Avanti 150RW electric fireplace, bespoke glass display shelves, integrated LED mood lighting, custom-built shaker cabinetry, hidden cable management, full-height chimney breast design.
What our client wanted
Our client in Catford loved the idea of a modern media wall and came ready with a gorgeous AI image. She was concerned about the existing chimney breast dominating the room and didn't want to lose to much of the room by building out in front of it.
Another important part of the brief was the overall appearance of the fireplace. The client wanted the central feature to feel like one continuous architectural structure, rather than having the fireplace appear to sit on a floating shelf. This subtle design decision would ultimately give the media wall a much more premium, built-in appearance.
A before photo of the Catford media wall project
The design process
Every home presents its own challenges, and this project was no exception. During the consultation, we explained that the existing chimney breast would remain in place, as it was almost certainly part of the property's original masonry and potentially structural.
Rather than removing it, our design focused on building a bespoke media wall in front of the existing chimney breast, carefully keeping the overall depth to an absolute minimum while still allowing space for the fireplace, TV and MDF cabinetry.
Working closely with the client, we refined the design to include:
A full-height centre section extending directly down onto the base cabinets, creating one seamless architectural feature.
A premium Onyx Avanti 150RW electric fireplace complete with split oak log fuel bed and integrated LED mood lighting.
Elegant glass display shelving to keep the design feeling light and contemporary.
Bespoke slab-style cupboards providing concealed storage below.
Hidden cable management for a clean, uncluttered finish.
Throughout the design stage, we produced visual mock-ups so the client could see how the proportions, fireplace positioning and shelving would look before manufacture began. This collaborative approach ensured every detail reflected their vision before work started.
Building the media wall
Using premium moisture-resistant furniture-grade MDF, our workshop team manufactured each section of cabinetry specifically for this project, ensuring a precise fit around the existing chimney breast.
One of the most important aspects of the build was achieving the appearance of a single continuous chimney breast, allowing the fireplace to become a natural part of the structure rather than appearing as a separate feature.
The bespoke glass shelving was carefully installed alongside integrated LED lighting, providing an elegant space for displaying decorative items while introducing subtle evening ambience.
Throughout the installation, every cable was concealed, resulting in a clean, minimalist finish that allows the architectural details and premium fireplace to take centre stage.
The Finished Media Wall
The completed media wall has completely transformed the room, proving that an existing chimney breast doesn't have to limit your design options.
By building in front of the original structure, we created a bespoke feature wall that feels contemporary, balanced and beautifully proportioned without adding unnecessary bulk to the room.
The Onyx Avanti 150RW electric fireplace provides an impressive panoramic flame effect, enhanced by its realistic split oak log fuel bed and integrated mood lighting. Combined with the illuminated glass shelving and handcrafted cabinetry, the finished installation creates a luxurious focal point that perfectly balances style with practicality.
This Catford project demonstrates how thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship can transform even the most challenging layouts into a stunning bespoke media wall.
