The Turtle Carry bookcase from Qeeboo is a turtle with a pile of books on its back. It is a simple, slightly absurd idea, and that is exactly why it works. Here is the thinking behind it, what it is made of, and how its designer Marcantonio gives it so much character.
The idea: a turtle that carries your books
Turtles carry their homes on their backs, so a turtle carrying your books feels like a natural joke. The Turtle Carry Bookcase takes that image literally: the turtle stands steadily on the floor while a stack of your favourite books rides on its shell.
The appeal is that it is both a working bookcase and a character in the room. Guests notice it straight away, and children tend to adopt it as a friend. It also changes with you, because the look depends on which books you choose to stack on top.
The designer: Marcantonio
Marcantonio draws on the natural world and its curious forms to bring what Qeeboo calls sophisticated irony to our homes. The Turtle Carry is a good example of that approach. It is clearly playful, but it is not a cartoon. The turtle is a real animal shape, simply given an unexpected job to do.
That is what makes his pieces work in grown-up rooms as well as children's ones. The humour is in the idea rather than in bright decoration, so the bookcase can sit happily next to serious furniture. You can see more of his work in our Marcantonio collection.
The materials: a metal support with three shelves
The practical part of the design is the metal support that rises from the shell. It holds three shelves, so your books are held tight rather than simply balanced on the turtle's back. That support is what turns a sculpture into storage you can actually use every day.
The Turtle Carry Bookcase comes in six colours: White, Dove Grey, Black, Blue Avio, Deep Green and Indian Red. White and Dove Grey keep the look quiet and sculptural. Black is graphic and smart. Blue Avio, Deep Green and Indian Red push the character further, and look wonderful against a plain wall.
Where to put it
- Living room: stand it beside an armchair as a combined bookcase and talking point.
- Study: keep your reference books or current reads within reach of the desk.
- Child's bedroom: a turtle that holds bedtime stories makes tidying up rather more appealing.
Give it a little space around it so the turtle shape can be seen from the side. Wedged into a tight corner, it loses some of its charm.
The rest of the Turtle Carry family
The same turtle carries other things too. The Turtle Carry Coffee Table carries a wooden coffee table on its shell, firmly anchored to its base. It is a natural partner for the bookcase in a living room.
The Turtle Carry Planter/Champagne Cooler carries a holder on its back that you can fill with plants and succulents, or with ice and a bottle of champagne when you are entertaining. Grouping two or three turtles together turns a single joke into a small parade.
When styling, let one colour link the pieces. A Deep Green bookcase with green plants in the planter, for example, ties the turtles together without them looking matched.
Browse more playful pieces in our Qeeboo furniture collection, or visit us in Somerset to see the turtles in person. Our team is always happy to help you choose a colour.
