You didn't mention if you still have a big garage door...if that is part of the equation, get some old windows from a new window installation guy...in other words, what he has just taken out.........Try to call a guy and set this up in advance so that they take them out so they can be reused...tell him after you have the sizes of them and do the construction on the wall, you will pay him to install them....MAKE A DEAL. :wink:
My cutting table is a solid maple door from my Mom and Dad's kitchen. it sets on two metal shelving racks that I got at IKEA. Great height for cutting. :D Where the door handle was is a hole that works with a cup in it,for my cutter or sweep the pins into it.
Bookshelves...make them floor to ceiling, attached to the wall, get damaged wall board for this section. It will cost almost nothing, and won't show very much. :D
Good Luck.