Fantasy and Function: The Humble Shelf

It’s a necessity. Minimalist, hoarder, maximalist, you need it. The humble shelf. A place to drop your keys, store a growing library, display a piece of art, or perhaps…simply left to be.

And that’s where Zaha Hadid’s Desk ‘Dune’ shelf comes in. Part of the Dune collection, it is a sculptural piece, with Hadid’s signature organic lines and unrestricted edges. Used here in a residential design by Kelly Hoppen. It may not be where you rest your book after a night cap, it demands attention for itself; becoming the feature and not the bystander.

Image courtesy Kelly Hoppen

And so, it got me thinking about this unsung furniture hero, it’s possibilities and the infinite creative ways to use shelves in your own space. Here are a few we are quite taken by.

Images courtesy Raketa

The Circulum collection by Raketa, a Slovenia based design house. Designed in such a way that at a distance the slight dip or 'wave' in the center of each tray is not visible. Completely functional, the wave keeps items from sliding off the smooth surface. Genius.

The Shift by Fabian Kolpack is he ultimate design solution for an ever-expanding library.

Image courtesy Fabian Kolpack

I couldn't possibly end this post without a mention of the Libri by Scandinavian design house Swedese. A unit we've used in our designs. It's clean lines, and modular system enables it to adapt into the perfect storage and/or sculptural solution.