Hi,

my wife has asked me to justify my purchase of woodworking equipment
by building some built in bookcases. I think I understand most of what
I need to do I just need some design help.

On one wall of a room I have a brick fireplace which runs from the
floor straight up to the ceiling. I need to build bookcases on either
side. The left side is 52" wide, the fireplace is 53" wide and the
right space is 74" wide.

First problem, the spot for the two bookcases are different widths.
Do I just make one bookcase that fits each spot or break the large
spot into 2? What is the better design decision.

Second question. The perpendicular wall next to the larger spot has a
window 23" from the corner. The fireplace is 8" in depth near the top
and is 19" in depth at the bottom.

Do I make the bookcases 23" in depth so they run right up to the
window or 19" so they are flush with the fireplace?

Third question. If the ceiling is 8' how much space do I need to allow
so I can tilt the bookcases into their spot?

I was thinking of using the bookcase plan in Woodsmith 159 as the
basis but adding drawers along the bottom.

Thanks for the help.

Alex