Faride Mereb is very familiar with Modern Shelving. The book designer first discovered Modern Shelving in 2021 and has been a regular customer ever since. She has a unit in her home office, as well as in her studio in Brooklyn, the headquarters of her company Letra Muerta Inc.
Mereb recently relocated her business to a larger studio in Bedford and found herself in need of some additional shelving. Here Mereb shares why she opted to use Modern Shelving once again, her experience working with the design team, and how the shelves tie together her space.
You’ve used Modern Shelving in the past. Why did you decide to use Modern Shelving shelves again?
They are long-lasting, adaptable, easy to clean, and fit more books than any other shelves I have used. It also doesn’t hurt that they save so much space and are so aesthetically pleasing.
How many different sets of Modern Shelving shelves do you now have in your studio?
In my house studio, currently one. In the studio office at Letra Muerta Inc., a total of two: One in the exhibit area and one that holds the reference library in the main office.
The one in the exhibit area is “inherited” or “legacy” from our prior studio. Since all the furniture is modular, we were able to repurpose it for the new space distribution. The one in the main office divides space, allows us to have more storage, more room, and holds our reference library.
What function do your shelves serve?
In these shelves, we host different types of books and materials that form our reference library. The reference library fills in the gaps in design history through literature, scholarship, and design from different groups of people. The library carries themes of alternative publishing, gender, race, social movements, photography, typography, and printed history.
What was your experience like working with the design team?
The design service makes everything go very smoothly. We just took photos and measurements, and soon received a proposal and render according to the space and a quote. This allowed us to accommodate our space and budget accordingly.
We made a couple of changes, received and updated the proposal, and that was it. It really helped that there was also phone assistance.
Did you do the installation yourself or hire an installer?
We did it ourselves after work. It was fun, and it also gave us a sense of accomplishment.
Are you happy with how your shelves turned out?
They are sleek, easy to clean, sturdy, and we can grab books from both sides. The aesthetic also reminds me of my home country in Venezuela, where large expressions of modernism in architecture and interiors left a big mark after the 50s, so this definitely helps us reminisce about that vibe.
Do you think your additional shelves enhance your studio?
Yes! We also feel we want to take it further and maybe expand into the other wall so shelves can also hold part of the archival materials or even have a section in the main reading room.
Has your studio and/or business changed or made any additions since we last spoke?
Yes, we moved studios! We are now in Bedford in a bigger location. This has been world-changing for us since we can now host workshops, have a reading room, and also better accommodate our archive materials.
Do you have any plans to expand to additional locations?
For now, just this studio. We care a lot about quality and have really high standards, so we wish to be able to follow up on all aspects in the process of research, book making, and exhibits. If you grow too much, it's hard to keep that level of detail. We might grow a team member or two, but for now, we think we are in a good place.
Faride’s journey with Modern Shelving is a true reflection of how great design evolves with your space. From her Brooklyn studio to her new Bedford location, she’s trusted our team to help her create shelving that not only serves her growing collection but also enhances her creative environment. Working closely with our designer, Ryan , she was able to bring her vision to life with a layout that’s both functional and inspiring. Her Modern Shelving system continues to be a key part of her workflow and aesthetic. If you’re ready to design a shelving solution tailored to your space, book a free consultation with our design team today.
