Hole in the Wall

Remember that hole in the wall where the heater used to be?? (See pics below.) For a while we didn't know what to do with it. Eventually we would like to open up that wall in order to expand the living room but for the time being we needed a solution to the hole. We couldn't replace the paneling because they don't make it anymore. After much deliberation we decided to take John's parents advice and create a little built in shelf. Pictured below is the beginning of this process. It's kind of oddly placed but what isn't in this house?? Mark did a great job on it, like matching the molding with the doors and windows and installing adjustable shelves. I already have some cute ideas for decor to blend it in and make it fun. I'm thinking small black and white photos, old mason jars of sea shells, an old camera of John's, some small pieces of driftwood ... just a cute random little beach nook =)