This is way cute! I like it in the bookstore, but I'm not sure it would work as well as a kitchen counter. I'm just envisioning all those pages stained with spaghetti sauce and cooking oil pretty quickly.

I always see awesome old books that I want to buy and use for *something*, but I don't know what. If I had a collection. this would be a cute way to store them in the meantime =)

EEEEEEEEEEEP! I'm in love. :) But I have a feeling they probably had to chop and slice the books up a bit to get that thing built...

I've been to that bookshop and took a bit of a sticky beak at how it was put together, because it just looks so cool. There didn't appear to be any chopping or slicing, but I had the impression that quite a bit of glue was involved. And some impressive effort in putting the books together in a way that fit nicely. The counter top also appears to be supported by it's own legs, rather than relying on the books themselves for structural integrity. But the effect is fantastic, as is the selection of books in the store.

Be still my heart!
I have been trying to decide what to do with the stacks of books I inheirited from my Gramma...they are going to be a desk styled after this counter!

I really like this idea, and I think you could replicate it without doing harm to any books, all you need is a support structure and maybe some shims around the top. As long as everything is snug, you won’t need to glue any of the books together. Use an old table top, some legs from Ikea, shims, many books and a lot of patience and you have a new conversation piece.

Tables get kicked (don't tell me you've never scuffed a foot against a kitchen counter), things get spilled on them and drip of the edges... Awesome idea, but I'd never use books that I still wanted and valued for it.

I like this because I've used old (or damaged beyond readability) books to make tables & benches, but I wouldn't want them in a place like a kitchen (I've seen people use books to decorate bathrooms & I think with all the moisture that is just crazy- IMHO).

I agree with what other posters have said about using it as a kitchen counter: food splattered & spilled & liquids on the floor would be really bad. But then the biggest concern to me would be insects. Imagine all las cucarachas that would be making those stacks their new home! Eeeks!

But, if this is being used in a situation that does not involve food or liquids- way cool. However, when I have made tables & benches from old books they are actually hollowed out so as to be movable. (I glue & clamp them all together then use a saw to cut away the excess so that it's more of a facade of books than an actual stack of heavy books that would be too hard to move around. I also paint the outsides with acrylic to seal them (to prevent insect infestation & moisture damage) & often bolt glass or plexiglass for the top.

I like the wood they used on the top of this. BeingFrank said that it appears that it is supported by it's own legs. A piece of wood that large I would hope so. If that thing were to slide off... ouch!

I love it! The Ex Libris Bookstore at the Savannah College of Art & Design uses books as pillars. There are images here: http://www.ballisticpublishing.com/resellers/blog/?p=62 Maybe they should consider adding this counter or a coffee table to their shop as well.

Yet another great use for those old tomes! I've seen shelving made from books and this is a great idea as it seems to need no carpentry skills. The owner of a local second-hand bookstore in my area has a basement full of old books he can't sell. This would suit him just fine!

Love this! I may try a small side table in our office!