I'm interested in building (read as having my dear hubby build) an iron and distressed wood bookcase for my office. I found this one at 1st Dibs and thought we might be able to replicate it. Black steel pipe is available at the local Home Depot and there is a reclaimed wood place near us that I can get the boards.

Two issues though. First, Hubby thinks that it would be unstable since there are no cross pieces tying the whole thing together. Two, he doesn't recognize the iron material that is used at the junction with each shelf as he hasn't done any metal working before. It has to be something that would support the weight of those quite substantial shelves.

Any ideas?