We’ve all been there: You’re at the thrift store and something catches your attention. It’s interesting, but…yeah, you’re not sure what you’re going to do with it, so you move on. Then, some time later, you see an image of the same beautifully styled item in a magazine or social feed, and your body is instantly filled with FOMO. You missed it, and chances are it has long been picked up by someone else.
Well, today, I’m getting rid of that FOPOTBTI (fear of losing that beautiful thrifted item…crappy, I know) by sharing a piece of furniture that I see again and again whenever I’m thumb-cruising through Facebook Marketplace Furniture: The Barrister’s Bookcase. This solid wood stacking furnishing is usually made of oak, has sliding glass on top, and provides a collegiate or library vibe to any room. What’s that style all the kids have been calling lately…grandpa chic? Well…this is the pinnacle of grandpa chic in all the best ways.
I prefer to see them in their original wood finish, although they can easily be refinished with paint if you prefer that look. And the best part? They’re usually around $100, easy to carry, and extremely versatile.
How to find a barrister’s bookcase secondhand
For whatever reason, whenever I open a secondhand marketplace app, I get these bookcases. They’re like a dropped penny… you find them everywhere (but, I think, they’re not used often enough in beautiful, finished projects). I don’t look for them; They look for me. There have been times when they have been offered for free, but typically, as mentioned, I see them for around $100. Of course, there are far more expensive ones depending on their origin and age, but at most, they will cost you up to a few hundred dollars. They are usually made of solid hardwood and sometimes have glass facades with decorative leadwork.
As you can see from the list above, many people also list these as lawyers’ bookcases. It’s solid oak for $80, which, honestly, is a pretty good deal for anything built from this kind of wood. There appears to be an open section on the lower middle level, although most will have glass doors that open from the top and slide out of the way.
You may think some listings have the name correct, but it’s not clear whether it’s an antique or what the seller above is calling “old-fashioned.” In a way, this is the name of the game with peer-to-peer marketplace. People are posting things they like best, so just be sure to ask a few questions about build, age, and condition. The most common problem is the functionality of sliding glass doors.
I love the glass work on the top door, and the fact that it’s $50 is amazing! If you’re near Corona, California, get it now!
A little history lesson on the barrister’s bookcase
Before we get into all the pretty stuff (feel free to keep scrolling if you’re bothered), let me give a little history as to what these things are. These are called barrister bookcases (although sometimes listed on the market as lawyer bookcases or bookshelves), they originated in England around the 17th century. As their name suggests, they were first created for courts and lawyers – or barristers, as they are called in England – to transport their valuable law books between offices or to store important legal documents in the courtroom. The good thing about these is that they are modular and stackable units, a feature that, at the time, made them easy to take apart for transportation.
Eventually, as things happen, this type of bookcase made its way to America, popularized by a company called Globe-Wernicke, which marketed them as “Elastic Bookcases.” From there, they spread beyond law offices to homes, libraries, and even schools. Thanks to their separate sections, you can move entire libraries without having to pack or unpack books! They’re a really nice, functional design.
How to Style This Facebook Marketplace Marvel
The more I see these in people’s homes, beautifully styled with all kinds of trinkets, the more I’m convinced that when my house gets bigger and I have the space for it I’ll need to add one to my case-good collection. Because they’re shallow, narrow, and not so high, barrister bookcases work in many rooms, from the dining room to the home office, living space, and even the bathroom. Although I will share my favorite creative use for it at the end (it’s that good).
First of all, from brooklyn art boyYou can see how perfect this is for smaller collections like candlesticks, pots, and old brass items. Its scale is ideal for older homes where ceilings may be low and rooms small, although I’m sure it would work beautifully in a larger home too.
As I see it this piece is most often used in dining room, wine and drinking glasses, wine and barware. And as you can see from two images in two different homes, the height of a three-stacked bookcase is just asking for one art piece, one vase, and two taper candles (how ridiculous is that… though maybe one informed the other??).
Do you have extra pots and plates you want to show off? These are also great as china cabinets. And as you can see in the image above minnesota rustYou can leave off the library/grandfather aesthetic with a coat of paint in a color that better suits your style and home decor.
Like maybe a matte black Simply Beautified Done above (you can click the “Play” arrow to see the changes).
Do you want to make it feel even more modern? Swap out the pretty knobs for bar pulls, add some to the back panel (from here, here). bray purposeThey appear to have reeded or fluted paneling). If you’re going to go all out, perhaps an eye-catching wallpaper or an interior in a different color than the exterior would be absolutely fabulous too!
Yes! This is so fascinating to me, it is used to store old quilts and linens. This is a beautiful way to display beautiful things that are usually hidden behind a solid door in a linen closet. In some open floor bathrooms, you can keep beauty products, folded towels, bath salts and give it a luxurious look.
But above all, my favorite store-away-into-my-brain-til-I-renovate-a-home concept is in a kitchen, as shown above. Heartwood DesignIt beats open shelving any day but still gives an open, airy feel that also reflects the English kitchen style that everyone loves so much (for some reason). Sure, you can put a custom-made piece above your counters, or you can find a barrister’s bookcase for $50 and simply update the interior to match your cabinetry. I am fainting.
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Now that you’re inspired (I hope), head to your favorite secondhand market to find your barrister’s bookcase. And because I personally love this “how to sparkle” format for secondhand home decor and furnishings, please let me know in the comments below if you’re seeing something over and over in the store or online that you need a little help making look appealing.
Until next time, friends…
Opening Image Credit: By Design malcolm simmons photo by malcolm simmons And Andrew Hill From: Malcolm’s DIY-filled office revealed
