There's nothing else you could store inside a fireplace that would be as ironic or, IMO, hilarious.

i think this one looks great, but only cuz it's staged and inefficient and artsy fartsy - most other things i've seen inside fireplaces (sans fire) are really stupid looking.

That looks so Brother's Keeper. I could see using it for storage, even for books, but like that? It looks horrible, especially the poor diagonal books that are shoved in there.

I love it!

It looks like something the Collier Brothers would have done....

Might be cool if you put a cabinet in there with doors.

Not a fan. I could see a small stack of books with a vase of flowers on top...

sort of hot?

I'm in the 'meh' camp, myself.

I like it, though I would make sure it was tidy and linear, and I agree with erica - no diagonal-shoving.

A little bit ago, somebody was asking about what to do with unusable fireplaces. At the time, I thought books would be a good idea, but there's some problems with it as this pic shows. How would you get the bottom books? Lie on your tummy and squeeze it out?
I think fireplaces are too low for books.
But it'd be cute for kid's toys. Or maybe one top shelf for books, and a big plant beneath them.

I love this!! Not such a fan of the blue/gray walls though...

Maybe it could be used to store things in a nicer looking way...where you can see the book spines, might be helpful huh

by the, that rug looks a bit beastly

Good idea--dreadful execution.

If you hate your books, this is a great idea.
(and I love the Blue-Grey walls)

My ex's books would go good in there. And his movies. And his clothes. But I'd have to burn them all to make them fit.

Most appropriate if all books are copies of Fahrenheit 451.

funny patrick (too)... that's exactly what I was thinking.

I actually like this execution, but think it could be done badly.

I like that--Collier brothers chic--hee

Also reminded me of Fahrenheit 451. ;-)

I love this space....the blue walls with the black chandelier and red ghost chair.....amazing, the books are the cherry on top for me!

I store my VHS tapes in my fireplace. They stack nicely & neatly. And yeah, I still own VHS tapes.

I'm not against it, but I think it looks horrible here.

All orange books would look hot.

If it didn't look like the books would topple out the second I tried to choose one I'd like it better. A shelf in there would make it look really neat.

interesting but I couldn't do this to my books. really love the blue-grey walls, the black crystal chandelier, & the red ghost chair. definitely not in love with the rug.

It just looks messy, like something an obsessive collector might do. Not at all decorative.

I put a TV in my fireplace a couple of houses ago. The fireplace was about 18" off the floor and the elevation worked well (and no, I didn't have a VCR tape of a roaring fire for it).

Someone with that many books probably killed their TV years ago though.

Get rid of the books! But don't burn them, donate them. Then you can use the fireplace to store, maybe jewelry, or food, or the bodies of your friends....

I agree completely with the OP. The idea has potential, but the execution is awful. I'd love to see this done as a neat stack and see if it looks any better (though it may just look like a bricked up fireplace).

i don't know how to answer the poll; it could work but that image is just messy and unappealing

"burn"the books, I don't like this idea.

i like the room though.

Maybe if they had put some shelves in but this looks pointless.

I like the room, I would like this idea, but agreed, execution here is really not cute.

we store records in our fireplace -- but not stacked of course!

i was a little wary when my husband first suggested it but we tried it out and i kind of like it now. it certainly looks bit neater than this.

I'd rather have a fire in my fireplace.Books belong on bookshelves, and not color coded. Color coding is so ridiculous.

But the paint color on the wall is great!

I heartily approve, if the fireplace is not in use anyway. And that's a beautiful space and color.

kids!! get a grip!!! this room does not belong on this site, it is MUCH too sophisticated. this is a room that belongs in WORLD OF INTERIORS. IT IS THE MOST INSPIRING ROOM I HAVE EVER SEEN ON APT. THERAPY. children, save your comments for the usually cheesey pics that overrun this site. this is an original styled room with personality and character. the books show intellect and an ideal use of space, i love it!!! all the colors and textures harmoniuosly work together and i am totally inspired!!! I usually look at this site for what "not to do" this is one room i would move into in a sec!!!! CONGRATS' ON GREAT STYLE!!!! YOU ROCK!!!

Thank you Mister Blackwell.