Bookshelf Chair

Intro: Bookshelf Chair

Hello everyone, my name is Darko and this in my first Instructables.

Task to build bookshelf chair aka ”biblio-chaise” that can hold as many as 18 feet of books.

After seeing this online on houzz.com for $5000. This chair is made by Giovanni Gennari and Alisée Matta of nobody&co http://www.nobodyandco.it/project/bibliochaise/

I thought it would be great DIY build for the fraction of the cost.

This is also present to my wife.

Since actual sizes were not available online, I came up with my own by ensuring that the final project would fit through normal door opening. Bookshelf Chair final measurements are 41.5" wide by 34.5" long and 29" tall.

STEP 1: ​Materials:

2 sheets of 3/4 plywood boards that come in 4 X 8 ( bought more expensive plywood for around $40 per sheet)

6 X 8ft of 2 x1 inch pine strips

4 x 8ft of 2 x 2 inch pine

2 boxes of 1 1/4" Kreg pocket screws

1 bottle Gorilla wood glue

STEP 2: Tools:

Patience and precision

Miter Saw

Cordless Drills

Jig Saw

Kreg Jig Mini or Kreg Jig K4 Master system

Compressor and nail gun

Various length clamps

Normal tools like hammer, tape measure and measuring triangle

STEP 3: Let's Start Building

I started by creating a base that is cut out of 4×8 sheet of plywood and built sides by using 2 x 2-inch pine.

Sides are 29″ tall.

STEP 4: Build the Foundation

In between 2 x 2’s I used 2 x 1-inch pieces of pine.

To secure 2 x 2 and 2 x 1 pieces to plywood platform, I used Gorilla glue and Kreg pocket screws.

STEP 5: Create Support

Then I used more 2 x 1-inch pine to create support for a first story piece of plywood and secured it with pocket screws and wood glue.

STEP 6: First Floor

Closeups of completed first level sides

STEP 7: Seating Area and Sides

I did not take any pictures of adding horizontal seating area piece but it is same size square piece of plywood like the base piece and it was glued down only.

Next I started with upper bookshelf slots with 2 x2 in pines. To secure them I used the same method of Kreg pocket screws and wood glue. The seating area is 28.5″ long and 26″ wide.

STEP 8: Bookshelf Sides

Closeup of bookshelf slats and how pocket screws were used to interlock each piece of 2×2 pine to each other.

STEP 9: Top and Side View

Top and side view of completed sides

STEP 10: Back Same As Sides

View of the back as it was built using 2×2

STEP 11: Slowly Coming Together With Sides and Back

Different views of completed slats for the back side of the chair

STEP 12: Top Shelf

Next I cut out the plywood to fill in support for the all top three sides of the bookshelf chair. As you see, I used clamps to secure it better to the seating area while wood glue dried.

STEP 13: Almost Done

Finally, we have pics of completed unpainted bookshelf chair.

STEP 14: Lets Paint

For the color, I had my wife choose the wild color of her choice.

STEP 15: Lets Wrap It Up

Finally, cushions where a custom made by my mother in law to tie it all up.

Bring on the books and the reading enjoyment.

Thank you for checking out my project. To see more of my work visit Darko.us

Comments

[candicewestcaw]

This is fabulous and perfect for this old lady retired school teacher! Does anybody have a cutting guide?

[joerusso74]

why did you switch to 2x2's on second and third layer?

[gwendolynn250]

Beautiful work! About how much did this weigh when you were finished?

[LeeK73]

A lot

[GageR10]

What’s the size of the bace

[LeeK73]

I went4'wide by 3'deep

[Hans kebritchi]

How tall is first shelf from bottem?

[LeeK73]

10 inch opening

[ValerieS69]

What is the size of the base in step 3 Let's Start Building?

[KenE30]

Do you have a cut list? I see the materials list, but what are the cuts of each piece?

[bryans workshop]

Amazing!!

[HattieBizzle]

I don’t have any of those tools or know how to use them but I must find someone who can make this for me. I love it and love the idea of being surrounded by my books in a comfy chair! I have a neighbor down the street that may be willing to build this. He’s got skills and tools!

[OutofPatience]

@ Darko K and (Alisée and Giovanni, Nobody&co. www.nobodyandco.com...I plan to look at your site.) Thank you both for your generosity in sharing both the original design concept and the construction tips. I had previously saved this "chair" in one of my Houzz Ideabooks, and the instuctable is nice to have since I'd like to customize the size and tweak the design to fit my space. I particularly like the "I made it" version with the curved seat and back rest inset. That could be done to some degree with the exterior shape as well...cutting down on the boxy angles as another commenter noted.

[S0dyP0p]

I've got an antique oak "library table" (large desk with bookshelves built in to the ends) with a very similar style. This would be a great companion piece to sit nearby!

Normally, Kreg recommends putting 2 screws side-by-side for each joint for better stability. Do you feel like this chair would benefit from that, or do the interlocked layers hold it plenty stable? It's a big difference in drilling time and screw usage, so if this seems like plenty of strength I'd be inclined to use the same method...

[KariA18]

Love it great idea for my daughter's room. Thanks

[miwin1000]

I don't like the sharp corners everywhere. I'd like to see a way to round those off for safety reasons. thanks

[AliséeM]

we also designed a Bibliochaise with rounded corners, it is called Bibliochaise Luna, which means Moon in italian:) thankxx, Alisée and Giovanni, Nobody&co. www.nobodyandco.com

[ErickaC12]

You are a really nice person, not jealous or anything just helpful. Congratulations

[Brandon-cricketR]

can i get the cut lists please im having a lot of trouble figuring them out

[Swansong]

One of my friends made one of these a few years ago and I'm so jealous. These are so awesome! :)