Please post pics! :) Do you know a carpenter? Or cabinetry supplier for your book cases?

Are you keeping the paint?

Try to limit the mahogany to movable large bookcases & a large desk for your hubby. Changing the wall color, window coverings & lighting should pretty well complete the room. Think 'masculine'.

Will he be involved in the changes? If so, you can guide him along with practical choices along the way.

Koha · More Info

You could show the following pictures to your husband to see if he is open to other ideas. If you go with rich, dark paint and use rustic accessories, a velvet couch, distressed desk and sputnick chandeliere you can achieve warm and luxurious without the costs of custom bookcases and it will feel more up to date. You can also purchase single bookcases and attach them together for a built in look and they can be finished with molding on the top to make them look custom and paint a dark/rich color.

Valerie St. · More Info

I would buy some inexpensive bookcases and then add a decorative piece across the top to tie them all together. They can be attached to the wall for security. Do a set of 3 on each wall as shown in plan. If you buy unfinished you can paint/stain them whatever color you like.