When designer Alex Bradley came up with his new modular shelving system, one can only assume he was tired of being interrupted while reading a good book. Why else would he have the ingenious notion to create a vertical peak in the Notch out of powder-coated steel?

Notch. Designed by Alex Bradley.

In his Simply versatile products collection at the 100% Design London show last month, the Notch and the Notch+ entered the scene in rare form. Literally. Upon first glance, I wasn’t quite sure I like the pointed, angular shelves to be honest. Especially since we’re taught hardcovers should rest upright on their edges to protect their contents. And the soft covers, well, they just squeeze between the sturdy ones if they aren’t already thick enough to prop themselves up.

The Notch consists of one unit, measuring 17.75″ x 11.75″ x 13.75″, that can be used as a side table or a stool and offers plenty of open literature storage beneath. The Notch + is a system comprised of 15.75″ x 15.75″ x 15.75″ units with magnets that can be put together in any formation you choose, and can serve your space as a large storage unit, a room divider, or even a coffee table.

In addition to the Notch and Notch+ there is also the Notch 2 Tone, a limited edition finish of the side table, created for Liberty and the ‘Britain Can (still) Make It’ exhibition. The Notch 2 Tone is made out of an aircraft grade aluminum and has a hand brushed exterior protecting a virgin lacquered interior. It fuses together the modern and the traditional techniques, taking six people approximately a half day to make.

The next your dog requires immediate attention, your child needs a snack, or the phone rings in the next room, take the cue from Alex Bradley and set it onto a thoughtfully designed Notch.