There's something romantic about a staircase. I've never been able to figure out quite what it is, but when I start imagining my dream house, I always imagine the stairs first. So when you combine the romance of stairs with the warmth of bookshelves… I am completely in love.
As it turns out, the internet has plenty of ideas to fuel my imagination. Any one of these lovely bookcase/stair combos could be the centerpiece of my perfect home. Time to start dreaming.
1 & 2. Overtoom staircase by Mark Koehler Architects via Plastolux.
3. Roche Bobois via DesignScene.
4. Sarah Berry Design
5. Design*Sponge
6. Book-lined staircase at Fallingwater. Photo by Happyvia via RobAroundBooks.
7. MiCasa
8. Dezeen
9. Apartment Therapy
10. Archdaily via Apartment Therapy
Images: As credited above.
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Some of these are wonderfully practical, others not so much...imagine all the gunk that would end up in those cubbies in #8. Ick.
I believe I first saw this one on AT a couple of years ago. Who could forget this fantastic design from JapanWoodworking in NSW?
http://www.japanwoodworking.com/stepcabinet.JPG
In love with #3. Deeply in love.
In regards to the all white stairwell photo where the books that are being stored on the steps themselves...I can't help but think how dirty they must get and what a pain in the wha-zoo it must be to remove them to sweep and clean those steps.
I love the whole room in #7, but with my fear of heights and no handrail, I'd never ever manage to go upstairs.
I love these and just wonder how expensive it would be to install something like this. It's probably pretty expensive, huh.
"The romance of stairs." Never thought of it that way before but you're right! And yes, handrails please.
I love these, but as a designer I know most of them would not pass code!
I wonder if you could do the books unders the stairs, but set up up like barrister bookcases with horizontal opening doors to keep them clean. Then again, glass + feet is probably a bad idea.
Love #1 but yes, need handrails, no doubt.
Is it just my eyes or does that stairway in #4 lead nowhere?
Yeah, stairs without handrails freak me out. I've fallen down enough stairs WITH handrails lol
The stairs in #1 look terribly narrow as well. His foot barely fits on it. How would you descend...on your heels? Toes? Without a handrail to boot.
My paradise just came true.
#3 *swoons*
I know how much people vary in their tastes, but I never considered it in terms of stairs before. I dislike stairs of any type--would never live in anything but a rambler, and I hope my next one, doesn't even have a basement (even though that will make it more expensive to build)!
After you have enjoyed these photos, you need to look at my Facebook page. It will serve as an archival site celebrating books. While you are there, take a photo of your bookcase and post it. The address is: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-BookCase-Project/201733486549165