Shibata wanted more shelf space in her home office, so she added a plywood door with built-in bookshelves that opens into her bedroom to form a reading nook. Glimpsed from the adjacent room, the space looks larger than it actually is, thanks to the bright green walls.
Shibata wanted more shelf space in her home office, so she added a plywood door with built-in bookshelves that opens into her bedroom to form a reading nook. Glimpsed from the adjacent room, the space looks larger than it actually is, thanks to the bright green walls.
The custom island also features a cut-out shelf.
The custom island also features a cut-out shelf.
A central challenge of the renovation was to integrate lighting into the architecture in such a way that “even if the space had no furniture, you could turn on the lights and instantly get a cozy atmosphere,” says Bjerre-Poulsen. After Europe banned incandescents in 2009 Bjerre-Poulsen turned to halogen fixtures, which are more energy-efficient and give off a similar quality of light. (He won’t use LEDs until their ability to render color is further developed, he says.) In Østergaard and Olofsson’s kitchen, he embedded a halogen strip in the underside of the wooden shelf over the countertop to direct light onto the work surface.
A central challenge of the renovation was to integrate lighting into the architecture in such a way that “even if the space had no furniture, you could turn on the lights and instantly get a cozy atmosphere,” says Bjerre-Poulsen. After Europe banned incandescents in 2009 Bjerre-Poulsen turned to halogen fixtures, which are more energy-efficient and give off a similar quality of light. (He won’t use LEDs until their ability to render color is further developed, he says.) In Østergaard and Olofsson’s kitchen, he embedded a halogen strip in the underside of the wooden shelf over the countertop to direct light onto the work surface.
Initially built for Widdicomb-Mueller in the ‘60s, these Mondrian-like forms draw inspiration from Japanese architecture.
Initially built for Widdicomb-Mueller in the ‘60s, these Mondrian-like forms draw inspiration from Japanese architecture.
Useful Living is a continuation of Lee’s original project, “Useful Arbeitsloser (Jobless).” The line came out of the theory that “While life becomes heavy and our space of living gets more spacious, the furniture we have around us are getting lighter and feels more indifferent. The form and structure of 'Useful Arbeitsloser (Jobless)' is a story of nomad, imperfect lives and furniture of the contemporaries.” (shelf from 'Useful Arbeitsloser' shown).
Useful Living is a continuation of Lee’s original project, “Useful Arbeitsloser (Jobless).” The line came out of the theory that “While life becomes heavy and our space of living gets more spacious, the furniture we have around us are getting lighter and feels more indifferent. The form and structure of 'Useful Arbeitsloser (Jobless)' is a story of nomad, imperfect lives and furniture of the contemporaries.” (shelf from 'Useful Arbeitsloser' shown).
Vera & Kyte's set of shelves, exhibited at 2013 London Design Festival, resemble a small postmodern landscape. Photo courtesy of Vera & Kyte.
Vera & Kyte's set of shelves, exhibited at 2013 London Design Festival, resemble a small postmodern landscape. Photo courtesy of Vera & Kyte.
This wall shelf, made of powder-coated steel and oak, is available in different sizes and colors, all of which give an almost invisible, shadow-box effect when mounted.
This wall shelf, made of powder-coated steel and oak, is available in different sizes and colors, all of which give an almost invisible, shadow-box effect when mounted.
A wider look at the open-plan dining room and kitchen.
A wider look at the open-plan dining room and kitchen.
For the past three months Sanghyeok Lee has refined his line, “Useful Living,” at the Danish Art Workshop. He was influenced by classic Danish furniture as well as his once-transient lifestyle to create the series of oak and brass furniture: a bookcase, a rack, and a chair.
For the past three months Sanghyeok Lee has refined his line, “Useful Living,” at the Danish Art Workshop. He was influenced by classic Danish furniture as well as his once-transient lifestyle to create the series of oak and brass furniture: a bookcase, a rack, and a chair.
An elegant built-in shelf lies above the bed.
An elegant built-in shelf lies above the bed.
The Shelf from Sabi is a simple floating shelf designed to provide flexible storage solutions. The Shelf can be installed above a bathroom sink, on a bathroom wall, shower wall, or in another interior space within the home. Available in two sizes and colors, Shelf can be grouped with others to create more storage space, or used on its own in a smaller space.
The Shelf from Sabi is a simple floating shelf designed to provide flexible storage solutions. The Shelf can be installed above a bathroom sink, on a bathroom wall, shower wall, or in another interior space within the home. Available in two sizes and colors, Shelf can be grouped with others to create more storage space, or used on its own in a smaller space.
Available in both emerald and clear glass, the recycled bottle shelf lighting is stabilized by 10cm of hardwood.
Available in both emerald and clear glass, the recycled bottle shelf lighting is stabilized by 10cm of hardwood.
The easy-assembly Flip Shelf.
The easy-assembly Flip Shelf.
Small kettles and metal pots rest and hang on a wooden shelf in the kitchen.
Small kettles and metal pots rest and hang on a wooden shelf in the kitchen.
In the master bathroom, we went for a much more earthy, and rustic look. Using a porcelain slate tile with lots of nice variation in it, we made this the element that connected both the vanity area and the shower room, and used it on the floors as well as the walls. The sink vanity was a custom designed and built unit with a Brown Forest Marble top and lots of storage space! Minimal, white vessel sinks completed the look, and added a more modern touch.

The pocket door was added, and stained to match the vanity area. Moving into the shower and toilet room, the main element here was the highly textured and varied tile. We accented this with a teak floor in the shower, and some rustic, live edge wood shelves above the toilet. Again, we used more modern fixtures and lighting to contrast against the rustic materials.
In the master bathroom, we went for a much more earthy, and rustic look. Using a porcelain slate tile with lots of nice variation in it, we made this the element that connected both the vanity area and the shower room, and used it on the floors as well as the walls. The sink vanity was a custom designed and built unit with a Brown Forest Marble top and lots of storage space! Minimal, white vessel sinks completed the look, and added a more modern touch. The pocket door was added, and stained to match the vanity area. Moving into the shower and toilet room, the main element here was the highly textured and varied tile. We accented this with a teak floor in the shower, and some rustic, live edge wood shelves above the toilet. Again, we used more modern fixtures and lighting to contrast against the rustic materials.
Board By Design's handmade shelf lets you hang your bike by its saddle, handling any and all bike shapes and sizes. Your bike will look as if its floating elegantly by the wall. Better yet, The Bike All shelf has two hooks for your helmet and bag. Place your smaller belongings on the top shelf—there's even an opening for your cell phone charger. The all-wood unit is especially handy for the space-deprived, measuring in at only 20-inches long and 7-inches tall. 

Photo by: BBD
Board By Design's handmade shelf lets you hang your bike by its saddle, handling any and all bike shapes and sizes. Your bike will look as if its floating elegantly by the wall. Better yet, The Bike All shelf has two hooks for your helmet and bag. Place your smaller belongings on the top shelf—there's even an opening for your cell phone charger. The all-wood unit is especially handy for the space-deprived, measuring in at only 20-inches long and 7-inches tall. Photo by: BBD
Andreas Engesvik, cofounder of NORWAY SAYS alongside Anderssen & Voll, established a solo studio in Oslo in 2009, creating offbeat updates of ordinary pieces. We love: The Shelf lamp, meant to nestle amid books like a sculpture.
Andreas Engesvik, cofounder of NORWAY SAYS alongside Anderssen & Voll, established a solo studio in Oslo in 2009, creating offbeat updates of ordinary pieces. We love: The Shelf lamp, meant to nestle amid books like a sculpture.
Here's a shot of the Floyd Shelf ($85) in action. It supports up to 50 pounds and, like the Floyd Leg, it's 100 percent made in the United States from steel sourced Stateside.
Here's a shot of the Floyd Shelf ($85) in action. It supports up to 50 pounds and, like the Floyd Leg, it's 100 percent made in the United States from steel sourced Stateside.
Belgian studio Ateliers J&J exhibited furniture and shelving with an industrial aesthetic.
Belgian studio Ateliers J&J exhibited furniture and shelving with an industrial aesthetic.
The Flip Shelf, designed as a companion piece for the chair, uses three foldable plywood planes to create a lightbox-like lamp or wall decoration.
The Flip Shelf, designed as a companion piece for the chair, uses three foldable plywood planes to create a lightbox-like lamp or wall decoration.
Powder coated metal shelf, $160.
Powder coated metal shelf, $160.
Made from hardy powder-coated steel, the Umbra Conceal Book Shelf transforms books into a decorative element. Light, simple, and wall-mounted, it's another versatile tool for blurring decor and storage in small spaces.
Made from hardy powder-coated steel, the Umbra Conceal Book Shelf transforms books into a decorative element. Light, simple, and wall-mounted, it's another versatile tool for blurring decor and storage in small spaces.
Book storage is notorious for consuming precious space. Free up some room with Booken by Raw Edges Design Studio, which stores less frequently read novels and doubles as a shelf.
Book storage is notorious for consuming precious space. Free up some room with Booken by Raw Edges Design Studio, which stores less frequently read novels and doubles as a shelf.
From Plywood Office, the Rack of Coats takes a necessary household accessory—a coat rack—and reimagines it as sculpture. The Rack of Coats is defined by its graceful curves, which are created from steam-bent solid wood that is sourced domestically from a small Wisconsin mill. Beneath the curved wood coat hooks, the Rack of Coats includes a convenient table, providing storage space for keys, coins, mobile phones, or even a purse or work bag.
From Plywood Office, the Rack of Coats takes a necessary household accessory—a coat rack—and reimagines it as sculpture. The Rack of Coats is defined by its graceful curves, which are created from steam-bent solid wood that is sourced domestically from a small Wisconsin mill. Beneath the curved wood coat hooks, the Rack of Coats includes a convenient table, providing storage space for keys, coins, mobile phones, or even a purse or work bag.
ES Shelf for Moormann, 1999.
ES Shelf for Moormann, 1999.
The Cut and Fold line was developed by architects Andrea Kordos and Tony Round, a married couple and half of the Toronto firm blackLAB architects, to adapt to small spaces.
The Cut and Fold line was developed by architects Andrea Kordos and Tony Round, a married couple and half of the Toronto firm blackLAB architects, to adapt to small spaces.
Palms Shelf by Eastvold Furniture

“This is designed by Minneapolis designer Christopher Dela Pole and made in Minnesota by the Eastvold brand. This smart shelving unit is now available in Forage Green—named after, you guessed it, Forage Modern Workshop—as it shares the color of our exterior brick beam. Hang next to your door as the catch all for phone, keys or display some of your favorite pictures and memorabilia.”
Palms Shelf by Eastvold Furniture “This is designed by Minneapolis designer Christopher Dela Pole and made in Minnesota by the Eastvold brand. This smart shelving unit is now available in Forage Green—named after, you guessed it, Forage Modern Workshop—as it shares the color of our exterior brick beam. Hang next to your door as the catch all for phone, keys or display some of your favorite pictures and memorabilia.”
Hernaez organizes CDs on a modular lapacho wood shelf designed by Sticotti.
Hernaez organizes CDs on a modular lapacho wood shelf designed by Sticotti.
The Entertainment Shelf includes a panel that slides to reveal easy-to-reach shelves on either side.
The Entertainment Shelf includes a panel that slides to reveal easy-to-reach shelves on either side.
The Walnut Coat Rack takes a simple household accent and elevates it with rich walnut wood. Featuring a trestle shape, the coat rack includes a base on which to rest shoes and boots, and a connecting bar that can be used to hold hangers or drape scarves and jackets. The result is a balanced piece that is geometric and refined.
The Walnut Coat Rack takes a simple household accent and elevates it with rich walnut wood. Featuring a trestle shape, the coat rack includes a base on which to rest shoes and boots, and a connecting bar that can be used to hold hangers or drape scarves and jackets. The result is a balanced piece that is geometric and refined.
The Intersect Mirror from Strand Design is an innovative mirror that includes a storage shelf made from ash wood. As its name suggests, the round polished edge mirror intersects with the ash shelf, making the mirror into a sculptural, geometric work of wall art.
The Intersect Mirror from Strand Design is an innovative mirror that includes a storage shelf made from ash wood. As its name suggests, the round polished edge mirror intersects with the ash shelf, making the mirror into a sculptural, geometric work of wall art.
Johanna Molineus’s peripatetic childhood is reflected in the Chinese and Central Asian textiles and objects found throughout her small London apartment, including a square-patterned horse blanket.
Johanna Molineus’s peripatetic childhood is reflected in the Chinese and Central Asian textiles and objects found throughout her small London apartment, including a square-patterned horse blanket.
The Anita shelf as seen on The Blog on the Bookshelf.
The Anita shelf as seen on The Blog on the Bookshelf.
The Storage Bench has a padded seat to accommodate more guests in a small space.
The Storage Bench has a padded seat to accommodate more guests in a small space.
The powder-coated steel frame of this bookshelf could stand up against oversized hardbacks, magazine backissues, record collections, or any number of combinations of knicks, knacks, bits and bobs, and for those without the floor space it can also be wall-mounted. Read more about this bookshelf here.
The powder-coated steel frame of this bookshelf could stand up against oversized hardbacks, magazine backissues, record collections, or any number of combinations of knicks, knacks, bits and bobs, and for those without the floor space it can also be wall-mounted. Read more about this bookshelf here.

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