MZ, although the QSs are among the most highly-acclaimed of the Axiom speakers, bookshelves are certainly a reasonable alternative and if you go with M22s up front, M2s would be a logical surround choice. I'll also mention, as is my usual preference, that you could also consider a vertical M2 center.

I have the M22/VP100/QS8 combo in a 12x20 ft room. The VP100 will do fine, as a matter of fact when I received mine I was practically startled with the way it sounded. Of course, all my Axioms are startling good. I've never felt the need to upgrade the center channel. I ordered my QS8s in light maple since it matches the color of the walls so closely. I used the t-brackets that came with them to wall mount them. The camouflage worked pretty well. No one notices they are even there until they hear them, but some do wonder where that sound is coming from.

The surrounds speakers DO look interesting. Is there any issue if my sofa is against the wall?

MZ, it can be an issue if a 7.1, rather than 5.1, speaker setup is attempted. The back surround speakers in 7.1 should have at least a few feet behind the listening position to develop the back surround effect. In 5.1 the side surrounds should if possible be a little farther back than the listening position(e.g. the 110 degree position shown by Dolby, rather than the 90 degree position straight to the side), so as to give a little phantom back surround effect. The QS4s, which you'd likely be very happy with, could be placed on the back wall just a few inches from the side walls, or on the side walls just a few inches from the back wall.