Anyone else prefer arched alcoves over standard square framing?

Arches are definitly a lot of work. I remember doing a set with 3/4 inch MDF templates and a flush-trim bit last summer; getting that perfect radius is a beast. While they look great, I lean toward the idea that they might be a bit of a "moment" right now. Simple face frames usually stand the test of time better when the next homeowner wants to change the room's vibe. Regarding the oak and white combo, I think you're safe there. I usually use Rubio Monocoat on my white oak shelves to keep that raw look while still getting some protection. It’s a classic pairing. For the storage issue, I've started pushing for more 70/30 splits—70 percent closed storage at the bottom and only 30 percent open at the top. Those 12-inch deep open shelves are basically just magnets for pet hair and dust. Using a shaker door with some Blum soft-close hinges on the bottom keeps the clutter out of sight so the few pieces you do display acutally pop. It’s the only way I can keep my sanity with the maintenace.

I have to disagree on arches being a passing trend. We’ve been seeing them in high-end millwork for centuries; it’s the boxy, builder-grade look of the 90s that actually feels dated to me. If you’re struggling with the framing, try using 1/4-inch bending lauan or a kerfed plywood for the interior radius. It takes the headache out of the sanding process and gives a much smoother finish than trying to piece together MDF segments.

As for the finish, I’ve found that the white-and-oak combo is actually the part that might scream '2020s' in a few years. I’m a big advocate for the monochromatic look right now. I just finished a project using Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy on both the carcass and the shelves, and the depth it adds to those arches is incredible. It makes the shadows work for you rather than against you.

I’m also firmly in the camp of more doors, less display. I usually aim for a 30-inch base cabinet height with solid shaker doors to hide the routers, board games, and cables. Open shelves are beautiful for a portfolio shot, but for actual living, having that hidden storage is what keeps a client happy long-term. Those brass pulls you mentioned really stand out better against a solid painted door anyway.

I'm all for the white and oak combo, it's a look that won't die anytime soon. One thing I've started doing on these big units is tucking some warm LED tape behind a small lip on the shelves. If you're gonna go thru the trouble of framing arches, you might as well light 'em up so the curves actually pop at night. I'm definatly on team "more doors" though. I ussually try to talk clients into doing deeper bottoms for stuff like printers or bulky bins. Open shelves look great in photos, but they're a massive pain to keep tidy if they're the main focus of the room.

If you’re utilizing solid white oak for those floating shelves instead of a dimensionally stable veneered plywood, I hope you’ve accounted for the inevitable seasonal movement by utilizing oversized pilot holes or specialized fasteners, as the differential expansion between the hardwood and a rigid, paint-grade MDF carcass frequently results in hairline fractures along the joinery. Regarding the "showpiece" versus utility debate, I’ve found that a 1/4-inch deep dado for the shelving helps significantly with lateral stability, though it admittedly makes any future reconfiguration of the spacing a total nightmare if the owner's display needs happen to change.

Arches come back every thirty years like clockwork. Back in the day, we didn't have fancy CNC routers; we used a trammel arm and a jigsaw, then spent half a day with a drum sander getting it right. If you want it to last, skip the trendy oak and paint combo and just stick to a good solid species. I've seen too many 'modern' mixed-material units look like a mismatched garage sale ten years later. As for the dust, I always tell folks: if you aren't displaying fine china, put a door on it. A raised panel hides a lot of sins and keeps the Mrs. happy since she won't be reaching for the Swiffer every Saturday morning.