Customer Reviews

SEI Metal Spine-Style Book Tower

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'd been lusting after this book tower for nearly a year when I walked into a friend's apartment and was greeted by what seemed like a MAGICAL STACK OF BOOKS. When you fill the bookcase completely, all shelves but the base seem to disappear. The look of it is quite simply a bibliophile's dream. I wanted it, but I couldn't justify spending around $200 for the one like hers from CB2. I tried over and over to find a similar bookshelf, but the closest one I found was an even more expensive model at The Container Store.

Finally, I stumbled upon this model by SEI, which is significantly more affordable and just as sturdy and chic. Very simple to put together and, I imagine, take apart. HUGE space saver (especially for book addicts). Color me DELIGHTED.

The SEI Metal Spine book tower is fantastic, we love it. Very sturdy, (heavy), a real space saver !!

Others offer this similar product for about 80% more in cost. The assembly was simple and quick, less than a half hour. The product seems sturdy and will meet our needs. It would make a great addition to any dorm room.

After wishing I could afford the Sapien tower book shelves that are oh so similar to these available at Design Within Reach, I read the review on these. Could they compare with the original at this remarkable price? I decided to buy a pair. They arrived and I wondered if I could put them together on my own. I am what could most kindly be described as mechanically challenged. I decided to not wait for help and jumped in. The instructions were clear and assembly was so easy. Even I could do it. The materials seem solid. The holes lined up without a problem. It was a snap. I was the proud owner of a high end looking spine bookshelf. I did it in about 15 minutes. I looked forward to doing the second one and moving all of my books out of boxes and cartons on to the shelves. The second one had just one problem. There was a small bend in the spine that meant that one of the shelves couldn't be inserted in the slot. I'm sure there is a tool that could be used to open the slot just enough to make it fit but I don't own it. Trying to pry it with a screw driver was not successful and I wasn't willing to use a lot of pressure for fear of damaging the finish. I would easily have given this five stars but just can't do it. The price is great. The materials seem sturdy. The instructions are clear. Just that one little problem with one shelf on one of the units keeps it from being perfect.

This item is simply marvelous! Especially for someone who has very little floor space and tons of books. It is perfect and I have three now and couldn't be more pleased with them.

A friend of mine had a taller version of this bookcase, so I was excited to see an affordable version on Amazon. The thing was perfect except for the top shelf. The holes did not line up correctly - sadness. I called SEI, and I talked to a human being who was super helpful. They shipped out a replacement spine the next day - no questions asked. The new spine worked perfectly, and I get compliments on it all the time. I was really impressed how helpful, friendly and prompt the SEI experience was.

I first saw this type of bookcase at a friend's house a couple years ago and fell in love with it. My friend got his at Design Within Reach, which I've always thought is an ironic name for a store that is definitely not within reach of my budget. So I was excited to see this one on Amazon for half the cost! It looks exactly the same when assembled. When it's all stacked up with books, it looks like the books are floating in air. It's pretty stylish looking in a modern home office and I've already gotten several compliments on it.

last year i ordered TWO of these units
i too wanted the DWR tall ones but alas...that did not fit the budget and luckily TWO of these cost less than ONE of those
win/win
i have some HEAVY medical books as well as other things on these and so far so good.
recommended 100% for good quality and SUPER EASY to put together (you just need a little patience) but it's simple and the directions are good.
came well packed.

I was worried when I ordered this about what kind of books I could put on it, but let me tell you... I put everything from a small paperback to my HUGE HEAVY nursing school textbooks on it and not a single thing has ever fallen off. I LOVE this bookcase. I'm actually back on this page deciding if I should get another one. My boyfriend put it together for me in about 10 minutes. It wasn't as tall as I was expecting but I didn't look at the dimensions before I bought it either. It's about 5 ft with the books I stacked on top. I was on the fence about this one for a while, but I'm so glad I got it.

they are made well. easy to put together and hold a ton of books. designed well too so it counterbalances the weight. I will never install bookcases again.
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