A Rack for My Stack
by Vy-Anh Nguyen
A stylish home for my stash, the rack makes a showroom of my New York City apartment.
Years of cycling through roommates, and their shoe racks, with their shoes and their friends’ shoes, made me realize what it means to own your own. My earliest memory of any kind of “system” brings me to the Pile. Situated in the corner of the foyer, it is a landmark. Enter, and you’re greeted with a dump site for footwear.
Whether you’re guilty of shoe-throwing or you appreciate a neat display, whatever action you take signals the end of a journey. I’ve become more aware of how my travels start and end.
That sense of ownership and entitlement around how we organize is a surprising aspect of adulthood. I did not expect to care about the layout of everyday objects in my possession, including my sneakers, which range from lightly to very worn.
Seasons change, and the line-up on every row rotates to represent the changing of trends as much as climate. Except, I always have that one pair — my favorite to look at and not always wear — sitting within sight. There’s also the subject of hierarchy, which (supposedly) means, your most-reached-for selects at the top — front and center for your convenience. But I’m not one for rules, and the beauty of the Entryway Rack is that it’s limitless.
Sleek and subtle, with gentle curves and a stainless steel body, it makes storage look sexy. Cool to the touch and easy to carry, its built-in handle cascades down to the floor, penetrating every thin-cut layer — delivering both function and aesthetics. With three tiers, this $220 “storage solution” is designed to be multi-use and to suit any space in your home, from your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, sunroom, to garage. In combination with the Open Spaces plastic-top bins and/or wired baskets, the two make the perfect space-saving duo.
Because humans are self-interested, you become biased with anything D-I-Y. Hours of back-breaking labor, or in this case 30 minutes of plug-and-play in an adult-style recess, and you have no choice but to love it. It becomes your very own masterpiece. A utilitarian one. And I must admit, she’s a beauty — an upgrade that just makes sense, but…let me not speak on my library of packaging. A historic collection of shoe boxes that vary in color, shape, size, depth, and design.
A stylish home for my stash, the rack makes a showroom of my New York City apartment. I don’t go to therapy anymore, but organizing it is basically the equivalent.
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This piece was written for the “Narrative Strategies for Objects” workshop instructed by Rob Walker during the 2024 D-Crit Summer Intensive Residency at the School of Visual Arts. The next Summer Intensive session will take place June 2–13, 2025. Apply for free by April 15th.
