Floor to ceiling w/nice moulding at the top.

Narrow the hearth down so the bookcases can go right up against the chimney and take them up to the first angled part of the chimney. Do a large scale piece of art over them.

If the chimney/hearth stays as-is, I'd take them up to the top of the green-grey wall on the right (before it angles up) or to the ceiling.

I'd want bookcases butting up to the sides of the fireplace - it the hearth is a done deal, then custom over/around the hearth.

How high is the angled part of the fireplace? That seems a logical cutoff.

Whatever you do, I think deeper shelves at the bottom, with doors, is a must. In our house, we need as much space for board games and jigsaw puzzles as we do for books.

Live_wire is right; another option is to have cabs built, then you can build them to be cut out to fit the wider hearth. Agree, though, that the cabinetry should butt up against the side of the fireplace Then you can hang something interesting in the two openings that will be created near the top, where the stonework turns inward, maybe some nice sconces.

Also agree with prior comment about wider cabinets at the bottom. Open shelving on top would look nice.

This post was edited by Tibbrix on Tue, Feb 11, 14 at 14:30

I would do the same as Tibbrix. Here are some ideas........

[Traditional Family Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2107) by Columbus General Contractors Michael Matrka, Inc

[Traditional Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2107) by Johns Island Design-Build Firms Solaris Inc.

[Farmhouse Family Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/farmhouse-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2114) by Essex Architects & Designers Eric H. Gjerde AIA

Really great ideas out there!
Thanks again, I will use the posted pics for reference- hopefully built ins won't break the bank. Any thoughts on library wall w/ladder type bookcases? Expensive?

This post was edited by mela9130 on Tue, Feb 11, 14 at 16:29

Love the windows on each side of the fireplace in the bottom pic. Maybe think about doing that too. It's not actually that difficult a thing to have done. Then you have cabinetry which fits nicely, but which you can also reach the tops of!

I think off-the-rack bookcases will look puny against such a massive fireplace. You need something with a lot more visual weight. Built-ins are always nice IMHO, and though they do limit flexibility I don't see that as an issue here (what else would you want flanking a fpl?). Of course, if you are in an area of high labor costs, I assume you know that built-ins will be a multiple of even the nicest quality bookcases.

Floating shelves against the sides of the fireplace? I'd go ceiling high, but it also depends on whether you have enough books and you'd need a ladder.
Just saw this bedroom today. Love it.

[Eclectic Bedroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-bedroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_715~s_2104) by Asbury Park Interior Designers & Decorators Denizen Design

Here is a link that might be useful: [bedroom with book shelves[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/room-of-the-day-once-a-dining-area-now-a-glam-bedroom-stsetivw-vs~23094581?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u435&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery9)