Smart design: A shelf and table in one

My foyer is looking rather bare these days—then again, I did just move into a new apartment. I'm debating whether a wall-mounted shelf or slim console table will work best in the narrow entry. Either way, I'm in need of something that makes a statement, is less than 40 inches, and can house my mismanaged mail and daily disappearing keys—STAT.

While shopping around I saw these—a modern marriage of practicality and high-style design. They're called Shadow Table Shelves, and I'm thinking that my foyer won't be a lackluster, uninviting space for much longer.    

Created by Interior Designer and Moderndose.com owner, Estela Lugo, the recently introduced furniture/shelves/sculpture-type items come in black or white, large (48"L x 30"H x 8"D) and small (24"L x 30"H x 8"D) styles (both sizes are shown above). I'm considering buying the small white model, but you could always mix-and-match the sizes and colors—go crazy.

As I've said in my other small space solutions posts, the key to decorating cramped areas is to get as much as you can off of the floor and onto the walls. While shelving is essential in spatially-challenged rooms, sometimes storage with a little more pop is in order. The Shadow Table Shelves are definitely eye catching, totally functional, and are in keeping with the oh so important small space aesthetic: creative minimalism, with an emphasis on vertical design.    

P.S. Here's a 20% off code for all orders made before 8/31/08. Enter INSTYLE08 at checkout.