Balance Bookshelf on Etsy
The Balance Bookshelf from Cush Design Studio on Etsy is a visual pun that you can take to the next level: In the product description, designer Chris Cush suggests using the Balance Bookshelf to weigh your must-read list against your already-read list -- but what about cookbooks on one shelf vs. diet books on the other? Or self-help books vs. travel books? Or you could go extra arty and do, say, carrot vs. stick.
The Balance Bookshelf is $120, which seems pretty reasonable considering that it goes to support a designer and artisan. I definitely don't want to discourage you from buying it on Etsy. Still, if you want to go the full distance creativity-wise, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that you could rig up a version of this yourself. Cush says the shelves "do not actually balance themselves out," so it shouldn't be too complicated. This version is made with black pipe fittings, pine and twine (see close-up); substitutions could include a larger book for the pine, maybe striped baker's twine or grosgrain ribbon or round leather cord for the simple brown twine, depending on the weight the shelves would bear ...
Any other ideas? I'd love to hear them in the comments. And of course, if you try this out yourself, Yahoo! Homes would love for you to upload them to our Flickr group.
