Welcome to my site all about glass enclosed bookcases, also know as Barrister's Bookcases
Barrister Bookcases
A barristers bookcase is a traditional bookcase. Its distinguishing feature is clear glass front doors.
This glass front is hinged at the top allowing a person to easily access books and other collectibles simply by lifting the glass door that have knobs installed on them. The barrister bookcase is ideal for just about anything. Barrister bookcases were frequently used by lawyers since it was necessary for them to keep on moving. Today, they are also very handy, especially if one is always on the move. This is because the bookcase is closed by use of doors. This enables books and collectibles to be moved while still inside the bookcase while still retaining them.
Good quality barrister bookcases avoid the use of the normal sideways opening doors and use doors that have the ‘up and over’ opening mechanism. A metal scissor mechanism when used inside the barrister shelves ensure the moving doors do it in a parallel fashion without the problem of having the doors jam or skew in the process. One advantage of using the barrister bookcase and shelves is the ability to have several of these units stacked together and have them secured to a wall. When done well, these bookcases give the impression of an attractive cabinet. Depending on the preference of the owner, barrister bookcases can have a variety of material choices. Whether it is constructed using wood or glass, barristers give a simple elaborate appearance to a room.
Barrister bookcases also have the advantage of helping to protect the collectibles from dust and other foreign impurities. They in fact offer greater protection than other types of bookshelves. Apart from dust, it is also possible to provide protection from sunlight by having the doors outfitted with tempered glass. This will help in minimizing the amount and intensity of sunlight impacting the spines of the books. This in turn maintains the books color and its bindings from fading.
Barrister bookcases however, despite their many merits, can be quite expensive. Fortunately, their many advantages have moved some manufacturers to start producing replica editions and some in modern versions at very reasonable prices. Some versions have simple appearances and can be made to fit a particular theme. They can also be trimmed and made into customized storage units at little cost. The fact that they can be stacked together allows them to be easily used to create very interesting unit arrangements. Some can be used to create sofa tables, breakfronts or even dining areas.
Locating the right barrister book case is not difficult. A good number of antique shops will have stocks of elegant designs of them. Retailers that cater for office or home furnishings are also a good source. There are also many online stores that sell antique furniture and some that deal exclusively with bookcases. Making a purchase online can also prove to be cheaper. Whatever location you find, a barrister bookcase is an elegant addition to have in an office or home.
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