Nina Haines is an avid reader. She works in publishing and reads one to two books a week. The owner of over 1,000 books, Haines encountered some trouble when searching for a storage solution in New York for her collection.
Nina and her partner recently moved into a new apartment and were excited about the extra space the apartment offered. Nina wanted a way to prominently display her collection, so they set aside part of their basement for her book storage.
“I wanted something floor to ceiling with room to continue growing my collection that echoed my Pinterest boards and allowed me to build a cozy literary salon space around it,” says Nina.
After doing some research, Haines felt that Modern Shelving was the perfect collaborator for her needs. She was a fan of the small business aspect, with reasonable pricing for what she was looking for.
Nina opted to go with a set of custom shelves and got to work with the team to bring her vision to life. She had a good experience and felt that her needs were supported every step of the way.
“Hailey understood my vision immediately,” Nina says of Modern Shelving lead designer Hailey Strange. “She has a colorful interior design aesthetic just like I do, and she recommended the orange aluminum brackets for the shelves and I’m so beyond in love with them.”
When the shelves arrived, Haines hired one of Modern Shelving’s recommended New York installers, Travis Griffith of TG Platinum Installations LLC. She had nothing but good things to say.
“He was so kind and efficient,” Nina says of Griffith. “He also took out all of the trash and recycling after which nearly made me cry.”
Once the shelves were installed, Nina was surprised to find that she had two full rows of space for books and knickknacks. She loves the look coupled with the spacious feel.
“Having extra room was a new feeling for me!” says Nina. I also love the corner shelf – it gives this continuous feel to the book spines to it that I love.”
Nina's bookshelf is 99% books written by women, 75% fiction, and 50% queer. She uses the bookshelf in the background of all her videos, so it’s important her that they have a cool aesthetic. Luckily, they do!
“I am beyond happy,” says Nina of her shelves. “I love everything about them.”
Nina Haines’ Modern Shelving® installation is more than just a storage solution — it’s a reflection of her personality, passions, and love for literature. Her custom floor-to-ceiling design transformed an unused basement corner into a warm, inviting literary salon that continues to grow with her collection. The bold orange aluminum brackets add a pop of personality that perfectly complements her vibrant style. With thoughtful design and expert installation, her shelves not only meet her functional needs but also elevate the aesthetic of her home. Every time she films a video, her Modern Shelving® backdrop showcases her unique collection and style to her audience. For Nina, it’s not just shelving — it’s the foundation for a space she truly loves to spend time in.
Click HERE to learn more about Sapph-Lit, Haines's book club that became a publisher through Bindery Books last year.
Inspired by Nina’s story?
Book a free meeting with one of our designers to create your own custom Modern Shelving® system today. Let’s turn your vision into a space you’ll love for years to come.
