Every bibliophile dreams of having a reading room to get away and really sink into a good read. But what if you live in a small space where every square foot counts and you can't set aside a dedicated area for reading? Aussie design student Guy Eddington tackled the problem by creating a multi-functional solution which combines storage, lighting and seating all into one svelte piece.
Imagine a large IKEA shelving unit with some of the central shelf spaces removed, a circular skylight cut open ontop with overhead lamp for illumination and a nice padded daybed-style seating area within and then you've pretty much got an image of the Library, as conceived by Guy Eddington. There's even a small shelf in front to place a snack or cuppa while you enjoy settling down with the next great American novel, with books or whatever you'd like to surround yourself with literally in arm's reach. Love the space efficient idea and now wonder how easy (or difficult) it would be to DIY modify existing off-the-shelf shelving in similar fashion.
[Guy Eddington via Home Tone]
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Comments (9)
It's certainly neat looking but I bet it's an uncomfortable place to actually try and read a book.
Cute, but only seems like it'd work for smaller people. And all-in-one units seem less versatile for small spaces than separate, re-arrangeable items that can do double-duty for other purposes.
It's a great idea but looks like it would have some problems. The "skylight" with the lamp over it is a bit awkward. Why didn't they just mount puck lights under the top shelf? It doesn't seem to be wide enough to sit a person comfortably for longer than a few minutes and the way the 3 shelves come into the center section give it a claustrophobic feel. Otherwise it's a great concept.
Comicgeek: I believe it was for aesthetic reasons, since it's a bit more dramatic. But a DIY version would call for some integrated overhead shelving lights for sure.
It's a great idea. Not for everyone but certainly for those who like window seats and nooks for reading or working at laptops. It's a mini-refuge; a space in a space.
If you mount puck lights or whatever under the top shelf, I imagine your head would get kind of hot.
I think they should've removed the one shelf that would be in the way, if you're a bigger person and reaching for the cappuccino or tea on that little snack shelf. Otherwise, you'd get some head-butting accidents, even for smaller people too.
I think it's cool... for an enthused reader with minimal space and some money.
I, too, find the lamp a bit convoluted. A built-in lamp wouldn't be oppressively hot-- looks as though it'd be a good 20" over the reader's head.
Other than the fact that the lamp looks like an afterthought, its presence on the top prevents placing things atop it-- like pottery, anvils, precariously balanced buckets of ice water, or whatever one is inclined to store above their husband's book cave.
Still, it's a nice idea, and impressive student work!
Clever, but doesn't having books all around you turn any room into your own personal reading space/library, despite it not being exclusively devoted to books? I'm not sure I'd want my books practically on top of me like that. Seems like it'd just be creating an even smaller space inside an already small area, when you should be maximizing what you've got.
Evangeline
http://www.bookliciousblog.com
this is a very cute idea, and i agree about the lamp, but i think its a possible ikea hack/diy.