Sunday, May 9, 2010

The Bookshelf Project #25

This week's pictures of bookshelves are from Orly Agawin, a trainer for a contact here in Manila. He also maintains an excellent blog. Check it out!





Orly designed his bookshelves such that the books at the highest part of the room. Now that is definitely a space saver. And don't you think that Orly's room is so cozy? It's the perfect place to spend those lazy afternoons in.

Now let's see what Orly's book collection is comprised of. Hmmm... I can see lots of Brown and Tolkien! He also has a good Filipiniana collection and lots of classic titles -- definitely signs of a wide reader.




What do you think of Orly's shelves, dear reader?

18 comments:

LoF said...

i have seen many monks that have bookshelves like these. one of the vows taken (not sure if its in the Vinaya) is to keep books in high places and never walk over them, etc., (whether religious texts or not).

callboi said...

I love it! And I love Sir Orly as well! We work in the same contact center.

- bookie -

Peter S. said...

@line of flight: I never knew that!

@callboi: When are you sending me your pictures, bookie?

Harvee said...

I like the idea of keeping books high up. I need a shelving project!

Peter S. said...

Hi, Book Dilettante! Don't we all!

CiCi said...

Great use of unused space! I want some book shelves like this. I have to show my hubby these pictures.

Nhil said...

Talk about maximizing space, I really like how Orly did it. :)

This room really sets the mood for a good read. Thanks for sharing!

Ruth O'Leary said...

Those shelves look great, but how do you reach the books on them? Maybe I'm just not tall enough!

Orly said...

I really appreciate Peter for including my personal library in his collection of bookshelf photos!

It took me a while before I knew exactly what to do with my books. They just used to be placed on the floor and some in an old dilapidated headboard. When I had my room renovated last year, I made it a point to invest on where I should place them.

It was only just recently when I realized that I did well in designing the shelves. Whenever I go to sleep, I see them - lined up in the heavens smiling at me and thanking them for their new home. :)

@ Ruth: I'm 5'9", that's why reaching for a book isn't that much of a challenge. nonetheless, when it comes to creatively designing one's bookshelf, sometimes, height doesn't matter. :)

@ Nhil: I miss having you around! Nice to see you here!

LoF said...

i'll look through the Vinaya tonight and see if I can't find the cite... (maybe its part of another set of vows, I will find it!) i want to impress you with Buddhist book worship! =)

Peter S. said...

Can't wait for that, line of flight!

LoF said...

tragically, i have been unable to locate this requirement in writing, in English, Sanskrit or Tibetan. And I've looked everywhere. However, I do know I've taken the vow every time I've taken the refuge vow in my life or the temporary Mahayana vow practice so it's somewhere and I also recall chanting it at one point.

The rule: One should avoid stepping on books generally, but must avoid stepping on or crossing over any religious text as that symbolically denies it the respect it deserves (and by extension, books in general deserve respect, so...). One should keep books from touching the floor, same reason. And it is encouraged to keep texts in high places away from the ground for the same reason.

Alexia561 said...

Love it! Always wanted high bookshelves right under the ceiling, even though I'm short and would need a ladder to reach any of them! *L*

Edna said...

That is soo cool! But won't it catch dust easily? Still it looks very comfy ^^

Charlie said...

I like that thought of waking up to see your books surrounding you.

Mark David said...

Cool. It just hurts me to think that he'll have to stand up in chair just to get one of those books :)

I saw from his blog that he's got a new wall shelf. Pretty cool as well :)

Orly said...

@Mark: right you are. though i'm 5'9," i still have to use a stool whenever i'd clean the books or browse through them. but i only do it once in a while.

yeah, i got a new bookshelf, which i got at a very good bargain. placed it on the wall adjacent to my work area. nice to have a nearer shelf from where i usually work. :)

Jon said...

I've always wanted to build a shelf close to the ceiling like this. I have never seen it actually done before. When my cousin suggested this idea to me I thought it was original :-\