The Biblio Files  

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The Biblio Files

The Biblio Files
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Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Birthday
January 01
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We (Steve and Helen) irresponsibly gave up our promising careers in aviation and bookselling over ten years ago. Now books seem to have taken over our lives. We frequent libraries, bookstores, and thrift shops in search of interesting books. We buy/swap/sell, but mainly, we read. We both wear glasses and have been mistaken for librarians.

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JANUARY 1, 2009 9:52PM

Make Your Own Invisible Bookshelf

Rate: 20 Flag

Here's a do-it-yourself project for those of you who are handy.

 

 video courtesy of Videojug

 

 

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books, design, diy, frugal living, recession, home improvement

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Interesting concept! I hope the author of the book that was used to form the "bookshelf" doesn't happen to see the video, however. They might not be too thrilled about their book not being able to be read again.
designanator
January 01, 2009 10:15 PM
Tremendous idea. I think I'm picking up a sense of foreboding from the shelved hardcovers behind me.
Stim
January 01, 2009 11:05 PM
designanator, that's a thought. Maybe they would appreciate the book being permanently displayed?

Stim, that sounds ominous...
The Biblio Files
January 02, 2009 12:14 AM
My first reaction was "No no no!" Just because you don't want to read a book doesn't mean you can't give it to someone else to read (a Books To Prisoners program, for instance). I mean, why use a book when you could just install a regular bookshelf? But then I took a look at your previous post. Of course! A very creative use for all those "Turn $1,000 in $5 Million in Real Estate" books. And I have to admit, it looks very cool, although getting the book on the bottom of the pile could be a drag.
kestralwing
January 02, 2009 04:48 AM
What a good idea. I can imagine going to an old/used book dealer, or the recyling center in many communities, and picking up some tomish monstrosity to be used as a base so that my own books aren't sacrificed. Thank you for this tip.
CoyoteOldStyle
January 02, 2009 08:24 AM
This is a very cool idea. Have you done it? BTW, when I was single, I bought one of those stud finders. It didn't work.
Julie Delio
January 02, 2009 08:32 AM
Ah, Julie .... an oldie but a goodie. It's people like you and me who make sure vaudeville never dies.
kestralwing
January 02, 2009 09:59 AM
kestralwing, brilliant! I hadn't thought of that connection, but it is inspired.

CoyoteOldStyle, yes, not only used bookstores, but in some communities there are shops that sell books, etc. that have found their way to the recycling bins. Some universities have recycling programs that encourage students to donate their books, etc. to the cause and used textbooks would be perfect for this project.
The Biblio Files
January 02, 2009 11:33 AM
I love this. I have many sacrificial books. heh heh heh
odetteroulette
January 02, 2009 12:44 PM
Julie, Julie, Julie. *rim shot*. No we haven't made one, we aren't handy. We managed to get completely tangled up just putting up Christmas lights, so projects including knives and power drills are not indicated.

odetteroulette, we'll want to see photos of your finished project. And here's another book project from the Files.
The Biblio Files
January 02, 2009 12:52 PM
I have many sacrificial books.

Whoa. Given the southern ghost stories odetteroulette has told, I'd love to hear more about how this project turns out...
Rob St. Amant
January 02, 2009 12:57 PM
Perfect for all those overpriced college textbooks that went unused!
Lainey
January 02, 2009 03:46 PM
Very clever. I loved step 7 the best. . .
Kerry Lauerman
January 02, 2009 04:04 PM
Rob, me too.

Lainey, only use the ones you can't sell back!

Kerry, stack 'em high!
The Biblio Files
January 02, 2009 04:27 PM
Very interesting! My first reaction, I'm sorry to say, is that I wouldn't need to do this as most of my book stacks start at the floor, which provides automatic bracing as it were, and move on up the wall to the ceiling. Mounting a book mid-wall seems like a waste of 4 feet of potential stacking space.
sanjuro55
January 03, 2009 10:47 AM
Pretty cool! My first reaction was that of sanjuro55, but I have books stacked along the edge of my stairwell that resent being piled more than three feet high, and have a tendency to fall on my head. This would be a fine way to install some intermediate structure, and I don't care if I never see the inside of Basic Physics again.
Mumbletypeg
January 03, 2009 11:02 AM
Except I hadn't watched the video yet. Yeah, no. That's not going to happen any time soon in Dogpatch. Still cool.
Mumbletypeg
January 03, 2009 11:06 AM
M. Chariot, a project for those sleepless nights, perhaps?

sanjuro-san, point taken, but as Mumbletypeg observes, books stacked high have a tendency to sway precariously. And the books look nice just suspended from the wall without visible means of support.

Greg, yesh!
The Biblio Files
January 03, 2009 12:00 PM
Fun and fascinating as always, biblio.
jimmymac1025
January 03, 2009 12:21 PM
That's great! And if you have a large blank wall and sufficient books, you can put in multiple installations and create your own wall mosaic!
BkLvr
January 03, 2009 10:36 PM
For "Sacrificial" books, I must recommend anything abridged.

Also, just imagine a trompe l'oeil (sp?) altar painted beneath the sacrificed book.
ktm
January 04, 2009 06:00 PM
jimmymac, thanks.

Stephanie, I know -- I couldn't resist sharing it!

BkLvr, that would be fantastically cool. Definitely House and Garden-worthy.

ktm, another intriguing design idea. As for abridged books, that reminds me of a fun discussion we had some months ago...
The Biblio Files
January 04, 2009 07:19 PM
I've got this fear that, once begun, the installation of small wall-hovering stacks of books on all of my walls supported by the used books my mother, she of dubious taste, brings home to me from library sales could begin to cover most of the walls of our house.

The cats could step up the walls to the ceiling!
Lekkers
January 06, 2009 09:45 AM
Hm, walls covered with hovering bookshelves being used at cat stairways to heaven. There's a potential Andrew Lloyd Weber extravaganza.
The Biblio Files
January 06, 2009 05:09 PM
Ohhh....my stud finder was going off every time that little hawty pointed that drill at me!
gracielou
January 13, 2009 11:29 AM
"Perfect for all those overpriced college textbooks that went unused"
Amen Lainey!

Although, I might be tempted to get some really pretty girly shelves to go under the books, you know the kind that don't hold anything but perfume bottles and such. I would just want to see who notices it and goes to check it out among potential suitors. Think it would be a great filter.
hyblaean- Julie
January 13, 2009 03:20 PM