I was ogling the home of Rachel Been and Ben Brown when I came across this simple shelving solution that I immediately wanted to recreate! Always on the hunt for useful and stylish storage, I was instantly drawn to what they call their "invisible bookshelf."
I've been in love with the Helmer rolling metal drawers from Ikea since I saw my roommate rolling hers into our new apartment 4 years ago. With blatant disregard for whether she felt I was "copying" her, I immediately got my own. 
Since, I've been trying to rationalize the purchase of a second. With our new studio in the house, from which we actually do a lot of work, I've been getting close to that rationalization. I'm pretty sure this idea, seen done so well in the home of Rachel and Ben, seals the deal.
They've simply put two Helmers next to one another and a large, thick piece of lucite across the top, creating a shelf! Easy as pie, and super good-looking! With 5 minutes of searching (which, admittedly, seemed like a long time to find something on the internet) I located eStreetPlastics, where you can buy 1" thick pieces of polycarbonate, seemingly cheaper than other resources. A few people have vouched for them, but I haven't actually ordered from them. Yet.
I love this idea. I love the rest of Rachel and Ben's home. Go take a look at the rest of the post over at Design*Sponge. Maybe you'll get inspired!
Images: 1 & 2. Design*Sponge; 3. IKEA
Must-See Small Cool Homes: Week Two
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How To Make Perfect Bacon in the Oven
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
I like this idea a lot.
I also like the way they have mounted their bikes to wall, next to the handmade closet.
look so nice and neat, i love it
Before I even read the post I saw the picture and thought "I must immediately recreate that!" Much of that might be due to my love for the Helmer (I have too many vintage file cabinets to justify getting one but I love them). Then my second take on it went to "eh." After thinking about the cost of a polycarbonate sheet, I think I'll go with my second thought. Nice look though.
The shelf is great. But c'mon... It's a piece of plastic laying across a couple of file cabinets against a wall covered with random "stuff" and wires poking out everywhere. Not to mention the old shoes. Useful? Yes. Stylish? I don't know about that...
Beautiful!
I've been looking at the pictures and I think you could do a budget version of the top by covering a shelf in mirror foil. Since the shelf is solid light won't tavel through the shelf like the lucite one so you'll need to put a light source underneath the shelf either a fun tablelamp like "dog lamp": http://www.switchedonset.com/2009/09/propaganda-dog-lamp-by-chaiyut-plypetch.html The dimer is in the "head" so you pet the dog to dim the light and the lamp is big enough to sit on the floor. To find the link I googled "dog lamp" and lots really cool lamps turned up if this one isn't quite your fancy.
Or you could mount a fluorecent light underneath the shelf. I did that on my closets and it looks great. Pic here: http://ploefff.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/weekendens-workout/
I guess the books are invisible, too ;-)
Love their eclectic mix of items... Very nice!!
I love that Brooklyn print- where is it from?
How is this a bookshelf? Its a desk.
@nicolezh http://www.orkposters.com/
What does this space function as? It's not a desk, it's not a library, the lamp illuminating the old boots make me think entryway, but then it doesn't seem to be that either. What's the extra lumber for?