I've seen several variations of using books to create "book" shelves in the home. In most cases, it means sacrificing one of your books for the sake of the shelf which can be difficult for many. This DIY home project from Real Simple…
…combines the look of books as shelves while preserving the text. This also allows for easy switching when you discover that the next novel on your summer reading list is currently being used elsewhere in the home!
For easy step-by-step instructions and detailed photos for this DIY, check out the full post: Real Simple | Create Book Shelves.
Image: Real Simple
ALSO: How To: Make Your Own Invisible Bookshelf Without Ruining a Book
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Ohhhhh.... Why didn't I think of that!?!?
if you turned the brackets the other way you could possibly hide them with whatever is on the shelf.
To the people who will doubtlessly complain about destroying books:
I think that ripping up a book, setting it on fire, or throwing it in the trash is destroying a book. This is repurposing a book -- creation, not destruction.
In fact, in the bookbinding classes I've taken -- which of course instill a great respect for books -- there's always a project where you must repurpose an existing book.
I agree- turn the brackets the other way! This way just looks kind of ugly, and you lose the whole "books on an invisible shelf" kind of feel!
Sacrilege!
Can anyone tell me what kind of fungus/shroom that is on the bottom shelf? We found one, dried it out as an art piece but can't seem to identify what it is. . .
You can buy something similar that is probably cheaper and won't destroy your books:
http://gifts.barnesandnoble.com/Home-gift/Invisible-Floating-Bookshelf/e/9781400663910
Uh... Personally I think this is a far better execution of this concept:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Invisible-Book-Shelf/
When is this "book-as-whatever" stupidity going to end?
Invisible bookshelves by UMBRA.
Like melissacj, I highly recommend the "conceal" shelves by umbra. I love them, they're cheap, and they keep your books completely intact. Since the books appear to be floating, there are no ugly brackets to look at either.
Brackets are ugly.
If certain commenters actually READ Micki's text (or better yet, actually followed the link), they'd realise that the books aren't attached to the brackets. Therefore the books aren't ruined when they're used as shelves this way.
I agree however with the commenters who suggest rotating the brackets 180 degrees. They'd provide the same support while becoming almost inivisible, providing that one used a thick enough book. True, they wouldn't sit quite flush with the wall, but overall it'd be a better look.
Alternately, you could rotate the brackets just 90 degrees. Able to take less weight, but also less visible AND allowing the book to sit flush with the wall.
It may not end up ruining the book, but there is more opportunity to do so.
And (in my opinion, I - grudgingly - allow that others may have their own taste) books look better grouped together, rather than singly.
Books donated to libraries are sorted through, and not many of them make it to the shelves. The extras are usually recycled. This goes for books that are weeded out of the library. Likewise, the majority of books donated to thrift stores are not kept. Maybe that'll make everybody feel ok about using old books in design.