The Välipala Shelves
The Välipala Shelves
Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, 1950
ORNAS
Materials: Solid and veneered birch, oak or walnut.
Dimensions
M - W: 70.8” H: 68.1” D 19.6”/8.6”
L - W: 78.7” H: 78.7” D 19.6”/8.6”
Options: Comes in three different material categories.
Category 1: Legs in solid birch or oak. Top: birch or oak veneer. Shelves and box pieces in solid white lacquered birch
Category 2: Legs in solid birch or oak. Top: walnut veneer. Shelves and box pieces in solid white lacquered birch
Category 3: Legs in solid walnut. Top: walnut veneer. Shelves and box pieces in solid white lacquered birch
Estimated Lead Time: 12-16 weeks
Välipala shelf unit designed in the late 1950s insightfully showcases Hiort af Ornäs’ aim for highly individual design. The name means “snack” in Finnish, referring to the middle blocks that can be freely arranged between the shelves to create unique combinations. Also the number of shelves and height and width of the unit can be adjusted to one’s heart’s content.
Re-issued in autumn 2020, the light and airy, ingenuous design stems from sophisticated, carefully thought-out solutions. The middle blocks taper towards the front, which creates a lovely interplay of light and shadow. The discreet details form an elegant backdrop that accentuates displayed books and treasured objects.
The handcrafted shelves are available in several widths, making the shelf unit adaptable for larger and smaller rooms alike. You can easily reassemble and extend the shelf unit and rearrange the divisions. The shelf unit suits different areas of the home from the living room to the children’s room. It is also a stylish and practical solution for offices.
Hiort af Ornäs designed Välipala as a storage solution for modern homes. It turned out to be much more: the unique design and elegant finishes have sealed its status as a timeless classic.
