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Collection by Jaime Gillin

Creative, High-Design Bookshelves

Books add warm and personality to a space—and sometimes, though far too seldom, the shelves they sit on do the same. Here, five creative, handsomely built shelves that beautifully upstage their contents.

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When Russian-born architect Andrei Saltykov designed his home in the UK, he put his love of the USA on the shelf. Showing off his library wasn’t Saltykov’s only aesthetic aim, though. Within the map he fastened 600 tiny Christmas tree lights that represent the nation’s major cities. See more about the USA-shaped shelf here. Photo by Will Pryce.
When Russian-born architect Andrei Saltykov designed his home in the UK, he put his love of the USA on the shelf. Showing off his library wasn’t Saltykov’s only aesthetic aim, though. Within the map he fastened 600 tiny Christmas tree lights that represent the nation’s major cities. See more about the USA-shaped shelf here. Photo by Will Pryce.
With a gentle push, this cedar bookshelf in a Washington house swings in to reveal a large media room equipped for sleeping and movie-watching, with couches and a Murphy bed.
With a gentle push, this cedar bookshelf in a Washington house swings in to reveal a large media room equipped for sleeping and movie-watching, with couches and a Murphy bed.
The Piegato One, a flat-pack design from German designer Matthias Ries, arrives by mail as a 39-inch-by-26-inch sheet of laser-cut powder-coated steel. Following simple instructions, you can fold the sheet into a three-shelf bookcase in a matter of minutes then attach it to a wall with just a few screws.
The Piegato One, a flat-pack design from German designer Matthias Ries, arrives by mail as a 39-inch-by-26-inch sheet of laser-cut powder-coated steel. Following simple instructions, you can fold the sheet into a three-shelf bookcase in a matter of minutes then attach it to a wall with just a few screws.
In a Boise home, a former closet was transformed into a double-height library, complete with a reading nook and a rolling ladder from Spiral Stairs of America. “That’s my favorite part of the house,” says Dan. “When I see Stella reaching for a book, there’s nothing better.” Photo by Lincoln Barbour.
In a Boise home, a former closet was transformed into a double-height library, complete with a reading nook and a rolling ladder from Spiral Stairs of America. “That’s my favorite part of the house,” says Dan. “When I see Stella reaching for a book, there’s nothing better.” Photo by Lincoln Barbour.