Your relative’s ancient china cabinet can totally compromise your flat's modern aesthetic. But where to put the nice china from your grandmother? I'm guessing it's buried in a box wrapped neatly in paper if it's not handed to another sibling already. But for the upcoming Polish designer, Karolina Tylka, it doesn't have to be a choice of old-fashioned and modern. Inspired by a few friends who have struggled to combine valuables with understated furnishings, Tylka's new China Cabinet steps up to the plate (and saucer).

China Cabinet. Designed by Karolina Tylka.

Released at the Salone del Mobile in Milan this April 2010, Karolina Tylka showcased her alternative to traditional shelving. Combining MDF, paper and glass, the cabinet keeps precious pieces safe by challenging the law of gravity. With no solid horizontal shelf in sight, the China Cabinet holds your precious pieces between folds of coated paper that are woven through the glass structure. This creates an illusion that may produce anxiety since folded pieces of paper work together to embrace family heirlooms, but according to Tylka, it is completely safe.

For a number of years now Karolina Tylka has been active in DEEDS – the Design, Education and Sustainability international project - that was created by innovative people from England, Germany, Denmark, and Poland. The group promotes sustainable development in all design fields and educates designers. It is no wonder then, that Tylka created her inventive China Cabinet with stiff cardboard supports and paper alongside the glass and paper version since her training as a "smart" designer would promote the use of recycled materials with little to no environmental impact.

Although Tylka's inventiveness may not be embraced by your bubble wrapping friends, the free-flowing waves of an unorthodox China Cabinet are perfect for anyone wanting to think outside of the box.