Bookcases, Étagères

Why would one use an étagère instead of a bookcase?  Bookcases can be handsomely crafted and artfully made but they typically serve as a more functional piece compared to an étagère. Quite simply, bookcases are made to store lots of books and therefore can withstand the weight & quantity of a large book load. In contrast, an étagère exists to be pretty and can be seen as carrying a similar function but with a much more delicate air. Because of this difference in function, the étagère takes on a decorative role in design. They are made with an open air construction as opposed to the traditional walled off appearance of a bookcase. Because of their lighter duty framework, the étagère can take up less space and be used in places (hallways, bathrooms and living rooms) that designers would normally not choose to place a traditional and more bulky bookcase. Lovecup carries handmade, imported Italian étagères, bookcases and pedestals to suit many interior design styles.