This Solis Adjustable Standing Shelf system was designed by Sergey Dedin, an industrial designer based in Belarus.

Consisting of relatively few components, the simple design provides something users have responded positively to: Adjustability. Shelves can be placed and secured at any height along the pole, and can be inverted for visual effect. This allows for a wide range of looks.

As for how to install it:

The long pole is broken into sections (it has to be shipped, after all), and the user is asked to first install the pole base. This is a smart decision: Holding just the pole base steady and screwing it in (to either a stud or drywall anchors) is far easier than it would be to install the entire pole at once.

Next the three sections and top elbow comprising the rest of the pole are assembled, then mounted into the pole base. (If the user is smart, they will have installed the pole base using just one screw initially, to provide some wiggle room for plumbing up.) A level is used to ensure plumb, and then the top of the pole is screwed in.

As for how the shelves attach, there is a spring-loaded clamp—like a broom-clip—mounted to the back of the shelf verticals. This is placed over the pole, then the two halves of the clip are bolted towards each other for a secure hold. This arrangement (as opposed to using a set screw) avoids marring the pole.

The Solis Adjustable Standing Shelf runs $120 per 4-shelf unit. It's in production by Umbra.