-
If you wanted more depth than the recesses offered this seems a good solution.
Just having the shelves protruding would have been strange I think, and joining the boards in the middle way harder/more expensive.
As you asked about styling, don't think it really works with the half painted walls, sorry. White walls, red (or other colour) shelves could look quite awesome and modern.
Or keep the walls, and paint shelves red too, maybe.
think im mostly trying to figure out how to style the frames out to not stick out like a sore thumb so much
edit; finished product