Scandinavian modular wall shelf Engström & Myrstrand

Modular wall-mounted shelf, attributed to Engström & Myrstrand, Sweden, late 1950s or early 1960s.

• • The elements have been carefully restored in our restoration workshop.

• W 303 CM X H 200 CM X D 30 CM
• 6 boards of 75 CM X 20 CM
• 2 boxes of 75 CM X H 30 CM X P 30 CM
• 2 rows of drawers of 75 CM X H12 CM X D 24 CM
• 5 posts of 200 CM

A wall-mounted bookshelf that organizes space without weighing it down

This modular wall-mounted bookshelf attributed to Sven Engström and Gunnar Myrstrand reflects a very Swedish approach to post-war furniture: using the wall as a true surface for arrangement rather than multiplying floor-standing pieces. The principle of suspended and modular furniture saw significant development in Scandinavian design during the post-war boom, as also evidenced by the wall systems of String or the modular bookshelves of Poul Cadovius.

The design duo developed several storage ensembles from the early 1950s, composed of elements that could be freely combined. This exploration of modularity allowed the furniture to be adapted to the dimensions of the room and the needs of its owners, whether for storing books, displaying objects, or arranging a workspace.

The wall-mounted bookshelf forms a graphic and functional structure, with a small footprint and significant floor space savings

Here, the alternation of open shelves and storage volumes creates a composition that is both graphic and functional. The piece retains great visual lightness: a significant portion of the wall remains visible between the different elements, unlike a traditional bookshelf that forms a solid volume.

Bookshelf, storage, and living room furniture

Such a wall-mounted shelf naturally finds its place in a living room, study, or large open-plan space. Books, ceramics, sculptures, vases, and personal objects can be arranged without giving the impression of an overloaded piece.

In a living room, it could, for example, form the backdrop for an area arranged around a pair of armchairs and a coffee table. A table lamp placed on one of the lower elements provides more intimate lighting in the evening and can transform part of the bookshelf into a true reading nook.

Its design also allows for mixing storage and decoration: closed compartments accommodate what you wish to keep out of sight, while the shelves remain available for books and objects you want to highlight.

A modular piece that evolves with the interior

The advantage of a wall system also lies in its ability to evolve. The arrangement of the different elements allows for a more rhythmic wall than a monolithic piece and maintains a sense of space around the furniture.

This type of bookshelf suits both a 1960s interior and a contemporary decor, where its sober design can dialogue with more recent seating, a rug, a coffee table, or lighting from different periods.

More than just a storage piece, this bookshelf allows you to compose an entire part of the room around it, while retaining the lightness and flexibility characteristic of Scandinavian furniture.