This mantle was built around a gas fireplace, and I designed it to house a flat screen tv (note the bracket). Under tv cavity, there is a drawer for the electronics, and we ran a chase so that the wires could be ran from the electronics to the tv without being seen. I didn't take a picture of it, but the drawer front is hinged, and folds down so the client can use their remotes.

Mantle- I built this custom mantle out of red oak to match the existing hardwood floor. The black is 12X12 granite tiles with no grout joints. From these pictures, it does appear to raised panel, but it is not. The construction actually involves the building a frame, then attaching a panel to the back of the frame, and then installing trim inside the frame. If you click on the picture, it will blow up close enough to see the detail. Scroll down to see the before picture.
It is always nice to be able to watch your favorite cartoons while working!!

The before. I know I'm partial, but the new one is a vast improvement.

Mantles and Stairs- These are some projects that I did a builder. All they said was, "make them all different". So that's what I did. I just made up every one. I've included a set of stairs from the same builder. The shadowboxes on the wall are my work as well.