Finishing Kevin Connolly’s bungalow basement included adding a source of heat. In combination with radiant baseboard heat to work with his existing boiler, Kevin decided to build a fireplace to give the basement some charm. After finding a used fireplace unit, he began to design the look of the fireplace with suggestions from his contractor. He went with a modern style that uses slate and granite to resemble the limestone details on the exterior of his bungalow. On either side are built-in bookshelves that are angled to draw the eye into the fireplace. The wood shelves were stained to match the non-working fireplace in the living room above for a sense of continuity. The result is a warm, inviting, and economically sourced focal point for the newly finished bungalow basement.