Originally from Denmark, Emma Søgaard lived in New York for the past year and a half. A longtime dream, she took the leap when she was offered as job as an art director in The Empire State.
In June of 2025, Søgaard moved back to her home country and purchased an old apartment with her boyfriend. A fixer upper, the couple got to work fixing it up and working on details to make it their own.
When they were in need of shelving, Emma recalled shelves she’d spotted through a store window in SoHo. Emma tracked down Modern Shelving and purchased a set of shelves for her Copenhagen apartment. Here, Emma shares how she first discovered Modern Shelving, what she loves about the shelves, and her experience with shipping the shelves to Denmark.
Where is your apartment located?
My boyfriend and I bought an old apartment on Vesterbrogade, a neighborhood I’ve loved ever since I first set foot in Copenhagen. The apartment needed a complete renovation, everything had to be redone: ceilings, floors, kitchen, bathroom, and everything in between. When we first saw the place, there was a plant growing through the window into what is now the bedroom. Now that all the major work is finally complete, we’ve started decorating and turning the space into a home.
When you were first in the market for shelving, what were you looking for?
I’m very romantic when it comes to furniture and design. I tend to fall in love with objects, and I have to admit, aesthetics matter far more to me than function. But when everything comes together, both visually and practically, I’m absolutely over the moon.
How did you discover Modern Shelving?
I was walking through SoHo when I spotted a shelf through a shop window that I instantly fell in love with. I would call it love at first sight. I snapped a photo and used Google image search to track it down. That’s when I discovered Modern Shelving, and from that point on, I was completely sold.
Did you go with custom shelves or stock shelves?
I had the best experience when I reached out to Modern Shelving. I was unsure about where exactly I wanted the shelf to go in our living room, and they were incredibly helpful throughout the process. They offered to create custom shelves tailored to our space, so they would fit the wall perfectly. They really made it feel special and just right for our space. I absolutely love the result.
How did the process of working with the design team?
It was such an easy and comfortable experience. I knew I’d need a bit of back and forth to feel confident about where to place the shelf in our living room. Luckily, Modern Shelving was there every step of the way, ready to answer any questions I had. Their support really made the whole process feel smooth.
How was your experience with international shipping to Denmark?
Shipping to Denmark was surprisingly easy. The entire shelf arrived in a few compact packages, which made it super manageable to carry into the apartment. Everything was well-organized and thoughtfully packed.
Where in your home are your shelves?
We decided to place our shelf in the living room, where it spans an entire wall from end to end. We’ve chosen to store all our books on it, and it’s so nice having them all organized in one place. That said, I’m really excited to experiment with styling it in the future — maybe adding decorative objects or plants to mix things up. And if we ever move, this piece of furniture will definitely be coming with us.
Are you happy with your shelves?
We absolutely love the shelves. I’m really drawn to the material and how light and airy they feel in the space. And here’s a little nerdy detail —my boyfriend is thrilled that you don’t need to drill any holes to set them up. It made the whole installation hassle-free and much more enjoyable for him!
For Emma Søgaard, finding Modern Shelving® was a turning point in her renovation journey. The shelves brought style, structure, and a sense of home to her new space. With custom support and seamless delivery, the process felt personal and smooth. It’s a reminder that design should feel as good as it looks. Now it’s your turn.
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