Just checking in with a HUGE thank you to pps7, Oak and Annie! There is absolutely no way I would have come up on this on my own. Bookcase install began yesterday and thought I would post a pic for you all to see. I was thinking they would go straight to ceiling, but happy nonetheless. Don't worry, won't be leaving the pinned curtains-just privacy for now. Thanks again!

Here's the sofa area with the picture lowered and area filled out. Showing the addition of a coffee table in two shapes. And also trying lighter mats on the pics to brighten things up. I love what you have going. It just needs to be completed and filled out some : ) The colors are just gorgeous and make for a wonderful and comforting setting to spend time. You might want to start another thread, as this one is bogged down with a lot of pics. Also, once the images become oversized and the text doesn't wrap anymore, a lot of people won't look anymore as it can't be read easily.

If you get semi custom kitchen cabinets, as in you order the pieces from the factory rather than just picking up in stock ones from IKEA or Home Depot, you can usually specify custom depths and heights. For example, for a short run next to my fridge, I wanted deeper uppers. This allowed me to store larger plates than standard 12' cabinets would. It also let me get a standard depth fridge and make it look cabinet depth. So I ordered the uppers 15". For the bases, I had them installed 3" out from the wall, and then the end is covered with a decorative panel, so you can't see the gap. That's another option, is to just place them out from the wall and cover the sides. You could also order bases in shallower sizes than the standard 25", or modify the height so they aren't 3' high. Also, they might offer window seat and book case pieces. I have some drawer units on a stair landing that I ordered in custom length and depth. I've seen bookcases in the catalogues (which are just cabinets without doors), and you can probably get those in custom height. Going with a semi custom kitchen cabinet will be more expensive than stock pieces, but a lot less work, and much cheaper than hiring a custom cabinet maker to come in and build the whole thing from scratch. My cabinets are from Signature by Omega and Kitchen Craft. But I'm sure the kitchen forum can recommend other companies that offer this as well. Kitchen Craft used to have their catalogue online (no prices, you'll have to find a local retailer for that) so you can see what's possible.

avp, it's pretty much impossible to consider the bookcase in a vacuum. You need to post a better picture of the fabric and identify what fabric is for what element (rug, sofa, pillows, curtains,etc) -- I don't know about anyone else, but I can't really get the idea of the design. And please post more pictures of the room as a whole, as well as any adjoining spaces, like what can be seen through the doorway at right. Does the decorator you're working with have any ideas about hardware to go with the rest of the room plans? Is there any other hardware or metal in the room? You can certainly mix metals, but it would help to know what else is there -- for example, what do you have for a ceiling light fixture if anything? You say the painters are coming, what will be the new color(s) for all of the various elements in the room? Are they painting the walls, the bookcases, the fireplace mantel? Anything else? Also, from the top picture it looks as if the two doors are not hung properly -- one is hung higher than the other and so the doors and knobs aren't level with each other. The hinges should be adjusted asap, especially if you're having the painters in.