Hats off to Nisse Strinning and his String modular shelving system
The internationally successful String shelving system from Nisse and Kajsa Strinning started out as the result of a design competition. To this day, the smart concept remains a design classic worldwide.
The String shelving system: how this Swedish design classic came into being
The String shelving system owes a great deal to the renowned Bonnier publishing house from Stockholm. Were it not for a competition to design an innovative bookcase that the publishers announced more than 70 years ago, the world would never have been blessed with this designer favourite. Of the 194 entries, a winner was chosen: the design by Nisse Strinning, an architect from Sweden whose passion was not creating houses and bridges, but rather objects of everyday use. He and his wife Kajsa achieved a spectacular success in the late 1940s with this unusual shelving solution.
The sophisticated wall shelf with wire frames as side panels and shelves that can be hung freely revolutionised living rooms all over the world. The String shelving system even made it into the UN headquarters in New York in 1950. Within a few years, it had become a global bestseller. By then, the adaptable design masterpiece had already won several awards and prizes, such as the “Compasso d’Oro”, the gold medal of the Milan Triennial.
String shelves: furniture legends with real charm
It’s a story that needs to be heard – after all, the reason you’re here today is probably that you’re looking for a shelving system that is in equal parts aesthetic and intelligent, perhaps as a solution for those piles of books in the corner of your living room or as even an elegant ladder shelf for your bathroom. Are you after a lightweight yet pragmatic shelving system that also visually enriches your living spaces? Then you will love String, because what makes this Swedish-made shelf so special is that it has a modular design and can be adjusted at any time.
String adapts to any interior.
Since the early 1950s, the String shelving system has been enhanced to incorporate elements such as drawers and cabinet modules. Today, String furniture is available in a variety of colours, woods and MDF materials. The strength of the String shelving system is its convertibility: thanks to the varying dimensions, both floor-to-ceiling and small-format solutions are available for your home. Are you planning to use your String system just as a library for your books, for example, or will you be using it to store game collections, decorative objects or perhaps even your favourite glasses? Then create your very own shelf now, with these “ingredients” from String Furniture:
Floor ladders
these form the basis and can be fitted with cupboard and shelf elements. They can be expanded as required, depending on the space available. They are available in heights of 200 cm, 115 cm and 85 cm. The shelf depth always measures 30 cm.
Wall ladders
these are an alternative to floor ladders and can be mounted conveniently on the wall at any height. They are available in heights of 75 cm and 50 cm. There are two depths to choose from, 20 cm or 30 cm.
Colours
both ladder options are available in five classic colours: black, grey, beige, white and brown. Looking for alternative colours? No problem, just get in touch with the AmbienteDirect team. We can cater to your unique requests!
Shelves
these are real all-rounders. Fitted with handy hooks, they can be conveniently clipped into the wire ladders. They are available as wood veneers and as painted MDF boards in various colours. You can choose between depths of 20 cm and 30 cm. Widths of 78 cm and 58 cm are available.
Wood veneers
for shelves – a choice of oak, ash, black stained ash and walnut
MDF gloss finishes
for shelves – either beige, grey or white
Metal shelves
with a perforated surface, can be supplemented with hooks, bars or bottle holders. Shelves with a low edge (78 cm/58 cm wide and 20 cm/30 cm deep) or high edge (78 cm/58 cm wide and 20 cm/30 cm deep) are available.
Metal shelf colours: black, grey, white and beige
Cabinet modules
with sliding doors, either glass, mirrored, veneered or painted.
Veneered cabinet modules in depths of either 20 cm or 30 cm and heights of 37 cm or 42 cm. The width is always 78 cm. Veneer woods are walnut, oak, ash and black stained ash.
Cabinet modules with mirrored sliding doors perfect for a small bathroom at 78 cm wide, 37 cm high and 20 cm deep. Either in a white, grey or beige finish
Cabinet modules with glass sliding doors perfect for storing glasses etc., 78 cm wide, 42 cm high and 30 cm deep. Carcass in either walnut, oak, ash, black stained ash or MDF carcass in a beige, grey or white finish
Integrable worktops
suitable for wall and floor ladders with a depth of 30 cm and a width of 78 cm. Simply mount it and you’ve got a flexible workstation. Choice of colours: beige, grey and white; veneers: oak, ash, black stained ash and walnut
Sloped magazine shelves
for magazines and books, painted or veneered, 78 cm wide and 30 cm deep. Also in walnut, oak, ash, black stained ash or with MDF in a beige, grey or white finish
Storage inserts
three compartments provide space for small items and can even contain plants. Either made of white ABS plastic or felt (beige, light grey, anthracite), hooks into ladders with a depth of 30 cm
Individualists are big fans of String shelving systems
Are you not sure if your pencil sketch on paper really shows how your desired String shelving system will look in the living room, hallway or office? Then simply use our String Configurator to build your very own custom shelf in just a few clicks! It couldn’t get any easier than that. Of course, the AmbienteDirect service team will be happy to answer your questions at any time. If you wish, you can buy pre-configured String system solutions for your living spaces online instantly. We’ll help you find the right one for you!
String Furniture offers fresh ideas
What makes the design wonder that is the String system so impressive is that it has remained true to its basic design to this day. The company that produces it today, “String Furniture”, which took on Nisse Strinning’s legacy in 2005, has built upon his design work entirely in his spirit. In 2006, shortly before his death, the world-famous classic was joined by Strinning’s final creation, just in time for the Helsingborg design fair: the little sister to the String shelving system, the pre-configured String Pocket shelf. This charming, rather delicate version is the perfect fit for any area of your home and is available in many versions.
String metal system for kitchen and outdoor
Purists also love String shelving systems in the kitchen – sometimes even choosing the outdoor version made of durable metal. If this effect is too functional for you, then simply opt for the classic combinations of floor or wall ladders and shelves made of veneer wood or painted MDF in your kitchen workshop. You’re sure to find your favourite out of the five charming colours for side ladders and shelves. There are also hooks and strips for hanging useful kitchen gadgets. These well thought-out “ingredients” in String’s product portfolio show just how versatile this tasteful piece of furniture is in any living environment.
The handy metal ladders with matching steel shelves can also be used in the garden, workshop and garage. The minimalist design style and easy-care materials make the String Outdoor collection ideal shelving solutions. On top of all that, all String shelving systems are robust and easy to expand.
The modules are robust and easy to assemble
The original design by Nisse Strinning has endured for decades because its pure appearance and ingenious functionality simply cannot be topped. From the String shoe rack to the bathroom version, assembly is a breeze:
In just a few simple steps, you can adjust the height of the shelves in a String shelving system, by just hooking two metal clips into each of the side ladders.
And if you end up with just too many hats or towels on the shelves, simply add some more shelving.
All you’ll need is an extra wall ladder and some more shelves – simple!
The metal side panels only require a few dowel holes and screws.
There are also a few clever design features that are typical of a String shelving unit which may come as a surprise. For example, Strinning varied the depth of the eyelets.
To hang two shelves one above the other on the wall, just one drill hole is used for the two eyelets on top of each other.
This makes assembling the shelf child’s play and amazingly reliable.
Passionate design fans like you rightly celebrate the String shelving system as a design classic with lasting value and a bright future. Discover the highly regarded phenomenon that is String and make it your favourite, too. This modern storage system epitomises the refined elegance of the Scandinavian look and, thanks to its fresh colours and smart components, is a real must-have for your interior design. String shelves in the living room and all other rooms in your home are more than just bookshelves. They are the perfect complement to your personal interior design style if you love Scandinavian-style furniture. The austerity of the legendary Bauhaus style is also the perfect partner for a String shelving system. Match up the wood types for a sure-fire way to create the perfect effect!