Perhaps stack two 7' bookcases and put trim on to make it look like a giant built-in? The upper one could be mounted on a stud by both the middle shelf and the base if spaced properly, and as long as the objects stored weren't extremely heavy, it should hold.

Alternatively, you could do a tall bookcase, with shelves above for the remainder of the space (like the IKEA EKBY JÄRPEN/ EKBY BJÄRNUM combination:
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/S89870340)

For a much cheaper solution, use hardware store L-brackets (which are about $1 apiece) and plywood or MDF cut to the length and width you want (e.g. go to Home Depot and get them to rip a 4x8 sheet into multiple sections), then sanded and stained or painted. Mount the shelves to the wall with the L-brackets on the top side of the shelves so they will be hidden by the books or items on the shelves, and make sure they're attached by good long screws and the proper anchors.

Well, maybe that's not the only thing it could be screaming for. Why not artwork? I gather you're on a budget (like me), so if you don't have enough appropriate artwork to hang ceiling to floor, what you could do is buy a roll of fabric and paint it - or get a couple of creative friends and make a party of it. Alternatively, you could get a roll of plain fabric and a little bit of really cool fabric and do cut-outs of the cool fabric on the good fabric.

Or, you could just paint a mural on the alcove. Maybe intersperse it with glass shelves, adding more as you get the money.

Hope this helps, post photos when you come up with a solution.

Jenna Sophia

(also, the L-brackets, if mounted on top, will visually "disappear" as the shelves go up to ceiling height)

Buy a bunch of LACK shelves at IKEA and cut them so they fit seamlessly?

If you want glass but can't afford it you could do molded acrylic

http://www.wholesale-store-fixtures.com/Acrylic/Shelving/ac_shelving_deluxestr_slatwall.htm

Beg on freecycle?

Before you install helves that are 15' tall, how do you intend to reach what's on the shelves? You can get budget custom bookcases at a unpainted furniture store that would fit in. Above them (as in above where you could possibly reach) add some art work. A fabric wall hanging would be terrific and cost effective.

I've seen wallpaper that looks like books used as backdrop in a play. When I googled it I found a bunch of different sources, and the prices seem reasonable.

I would consider movable shelving. You put strips of brackets on the inside of each shelf, a pair on each side. Little shelf holders, about 1" and bent in half, snap in to hold the shelf. Depending on budget, either get lumber you can stain, or lumber you can paint. Have it cut to size and set on the shelf holders. You can move the shelves as you wish to make different size openings.

You don't need a bookcase, the walls form the box for your shelves. Shelves really can be made from pieces of 3/4 inch MDF, supported by a 1x2 lip on each end (or all 3 sides if your books are heavy.) Simple.
How to reach the top shelves? Also simple. Headlamp, body harness, block and tackle in the ceiling, and a belaying partner on the ground. Have fun!

something like this http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/how-to/morgans-diy-plumbing-pipe-shelving-097760 could be made to fit that space.

Get those cheap wooden shelving supports from IKEA. Paint 'em some awesome color then use contrast painted, pre-primed MDF. You can control the spacing exactly as you want and the span is small enough to use MDF. Somewhere up high where you will seldom reach, prop a hunk of bold framed art.

The shelf brackets come in different styles and colors and are a great cheap way to make the supports without extensive carpentry skills.

You can find glass much more cheaply at reused building supply stores. That said, all the other suggestions made here sound good too.

I like the glass shelf idea, with art or collectibles up high. You can buy aluminum angle strips at the home store, cut them to size with a hacksaw and mount to the wall with the appropriate anchors. They will be inexpensive and almost invisible.

I had a friend who wanted a custom loft bed built. I jokingly told her to date a carpenter and have him build it. Got back in touch with her and saw her place and saw the bed and asked her how much she paid. She said she took my advice. Then she confessed that she was really dating him, not just using him.

I clicked through because I have the exact problem/ opportunity. I was thinking Elfa shelves to the top though my ceilings aren't quite as high as yours.

funstraw-- That's an awesome story.

Store large items on shelves. maybe put something about 20" tall on the floor. Buy cheap furring strips, maybe even 1 x 4's, around perimeter above object, open up space. put a shelf on then put another large decorative piece, large art then one more shelf with something. think more about extend the space with large objects instead of using many shelves. It should be cheap if you only need to make two shelves.
does this help, look sideways.
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no that did not come out well, I'll try and photoshop something for you on Monday

One of those tram destination roll things that are so fashionable at the moment would fit perfectly.

If you want to use it for book storage, then glass is inappropriate. Use wood; either cheap pine stained to match your furniture, or painted MDF. Use a rail and bracket system fixed to the wall - it's simple and inexpensive.

I'm with jennasophia - that alcove is screaming for some artwork, too! Possibly a tapestry hung high on the wall, going down to where you can reach the shelving.

Thanks so much for all the ideas, everyone!

I'm pretty wedded to using the space for books ... I have lots of books and no other place to put them. Plus, it's hard to tell from a photo, but this alcove is tucked into a corner and not very visible. With 15' ceilings, I have other wall space in spades that is in need of art ... but that's another post.

Sounds like since that is the case ... wood or MDF shelves would be the way to go. With either angle brackets or rails on 3 sides. Just wish I could think of something more mod ... the brackets/rail make it seem clunky to me.

The plumbing pipe solution is also very cool!

To get your shelves with less clunky-looking rails, you might...
-- Use small cove molding in place of blocky wood strips to hold up the shelves.
-- Use metal angle iron to support the shelves (metal strip bent 90-degrees along its length, not an L-bracket) Paint them to match the wall and shelves.
-- Use plain rails, and apply a piece of trim molding to the front edge of the shelves to hide the supporting rails.