Friday’s Impression
Friday is often a time of reflection for me. The week of creating winds down and there will be two full days to recharge. But I never really stop thinking ‘design’ and, quite honestly, my best ideas spin during the quiet moments. No distractions. No multitasking. On Friday’s closing time it’s just me that’s left and my impressions of the last few days that passed by with lightning speed.
At first, the thoughts are still quite frenetic. Rainbows of colors and patterns swirl together like abstract art. I remember the interesting shadows cast from a simple yet beautiful birch lamp and a large and brilliantly pink coffee table book of fashion stands out as a must-have for my next photo shoot. I explored and assessed a variety of places and I met the people who live in them eager to share with me their ideas and vision boards. Many stories were told and I know that it will be my turn soon to translate them into carved-out niches or perhaps to curate them into the custom curves of plasterwork on a glorious ceiling.
My world of creating is always turning and one lovely notion can result in the design for a room or an entire home.
For this reason, I felt that it would be wonderful to document one memorable impression each Friday for both myself and my readers to muse on and enjoy. As a sign of the times, we rarely give any one thing enough singular attention.
This first Friday’s impression goes to a 'floating' stackable shelving unit designed by the well-known Finnish industrial designer, Harri Koskinen. His designs are characterized by functionality and strict aesthetic criteria.
ShelfSystem by Harri Koskinen Image Credit- Regina Sturrock
To me, Koskinen’s ShelfSystem appeals like a gallery piece not only through its clean and sculptural form. In unison, clear acrylic supports that slide within the grooves of natural oak shelves takes on the attitude of the items placed inside. Beyond its functionality, this modular unit becomes an expressive and flexible art piece, ready to be layered and changed on a whim.
Image provided by Aito Projects
There is a sense that the shelves are almost resting on thin air. Koskinen’s directive was to create a system that focused on the shelves, with the transparent supports playing a subordinate role.
He has designed pieces for Issey Miyake, Iittala, Magis, Panasonic, Alessi and Montina. Permanent collections can be viewed at MOMA, N.Y.C., Museum of Architecture and Design, Chicago and the Design Museum in Helsinki.
This one leaves a lasting impression.
