In 2021, we had the pleasure of working with Jocelyn on a bespoke storage and shelving project that combined utility with real beauty. The goal was to create an elegant, functional shelving system for her books, while also introducing a warmth and richness that made the space feel personal and enduring. The final design centred around custom twinslot shelves in solid oak, mounted on a crisp white Elfa framework — a pairing that referenced the clean modernist aesthetics of systems like Vitsoe, but with a more organic, tactile material palette.
This was a significant project, both in scale and intention. The total cost came to £8,550 in 2021, reflecting the investment in quality materials, craftsmanship, and a highly considered layout. Solid oak shelves brought natural grain and depth to the wall, while matching oak cabinets at lower level provided concealed storage for less display-friendly items. Above, open oak shelving offered a place for Jocelyn’s book collection, art pieces, and personal items to breathe.
The choice of white Elfa metalwork was both functional and stylistic. The uprights and brackets give the system full adjustability, while the white finish allowed the oak to stand out — never competing visually, but always supporting. This layout sits comfortably within what’s now often referred to as the Vinyl Era aesthetic: a revival of 1970s modularity, honest materials, and open shelving that’s more about curating than hiding.
A Vinyl Days Influence
The return of twinslot shelves as a deliberate design choice is no coincidence. Influenced by the look and feel of 60s and 70s interiors, this style is grounded in warm minimalism. You’ll find it featured across Instagram accounts such as @a.start.of.something and @maisonbymia, where neutral palettes, open wall-mounted shelves, and design classics come together in spaces that feel personal and lived-in.
Trend analysts like MC&Co have called this the Vinyl Days mindset — a shift away from sterile minimalism towards something more tactile, flexible and soulful. In Jocelyn’s case, the use of real timber, adjustable brackets, and a flowing layout creates a visual rhythm that echoes this idea. Books, ceramics, and artwork aren’t crammed away; they’re allowed to sit in harmony, always visible, always evolving.
This is what twinslot shelving does best: it removes the rigidity of fixed furniture and replaces it with something intuitive. Shelves can move, expand, be added to or reconfigured. The oak adds luxury and groundedness, but the underlying system keeps it adaptable.
Bespoke Materials, Flexible Foundations
What makes Jocelyn’s installation stand out isn’t just the quality of the oak, but how it interacts with the Elfa system beneath. We chose solid oak boards for their strength, finish, and longevity, and paired them with cabinets made in the same timber. The white Elfa twinslot uprights and brackets provided the backbone, but receded visually, allowing the warmth of the wood to take centre stage.
The layout was tailored to Jocelyn’s collection and preferences — lower cabinets for albums, paperwork and practical items; middle shelves for easy-access reading; higher shelves for display and overflow. The entire wall reads as a single design gesture, but with all the flexibility of a modular system.
This approach is what many now seek when creating a home library or display wall. Rather than opt for a single fixed unit, homeowners are embracing this hybrid style: high-quality materials layered onto proven systems like Elfa’s, which have stood the test of time for over 50 years.
Conclusion
Jocelyn’s project is a modern example of how twinslot shelves can transcend their utilitarian roots and become a core feature of a warm, elegant interior. The use of solid oak, white Elfa metalwork, and concealed cabinetry shows how modular shelving can be both timeless and trend-aware.
In today’s interiors, there’s a growing desire for spaces that feel curated but flexible — rooted in craftsmanship, but ready to adapt. Whether you’re displaying books, records, collectables or artwork, twinslot shelving remains one of the most effective and enduring ways to do it.
Read a wider assessment of this trend here
Organise Space – Elfa Experts
