Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.
Plastic
1970s Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional 26 Pieces
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Monrovia, CA
This Is A Vintage 1970s Iconic Modular Shelving Unit Called UMBO For Directional. The UMBO Modular Shelving Unit Allows One To Create Their Own Custom Shelving Configurations.
Plastic
Umbo Shelving
By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional and featuring a completely modular design. This unit has scuffs, chips, and a crack in one area but still reads wonderfully
Plastic
Umbo Shelving
By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Chicago, IL
by Kay Leroy Ruggles c. 1970s in great vintage condition with minor scuffing, scratches, and other normal wear
Plaster
Massive "Umbo" Shelving Unit by Kay Leroy Ruggles
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four-tiered plastic bookcase/shelving unit by Kay Leroy Ruggles. Modular unit includes 34 individual pieces which can be arranged in a multitude of ways. Deep chocolate brown color. ...
Plastic
Orange Umbo Shelving, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970s
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Iconic Umbo modular shelving designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, USA 1970s.
Plastic
Umbo by Joe Colombo
Located in Norwalk, CT
A very large set of Umbo shelving units designed by Joe Colombo for Directional in the early 1970s --shown here in one of many possible configurations.
Modular Shelving Unit by Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare modular "UMBO" shelving unit produced by Directional and attributed to designer Joe Colombo.
Plastic
Umbo Modular Shelving, Kay Leroy Ruggles, 1970
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Brown modular Umbo storage by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970s. Total of 13 pieces+endcap. Can be set up in a multitude of configurations depending on the space. Physically a...
Plastic
Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Midcentury White Shelving Console
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kay Leroy Ruggles umbo midcentury white shelving console Shelf measures: 49 wide x 12 deep x 25 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage condition.
Glass, Plastic
Large Kay LeRoy Ruggles plastic modular shelving/bookcase "UMBO"
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Buffalo, NY
Normally attb. to Joe Colombo,, sleek ,elegant white wall unit, room divider. SIX FOOT. will fit seemlessly into any environment .Designed by Kay LeRoy Ruggles, for Directional indus...
Sold
H 56.5 in W 66 in D 12 in
Large UMBO "Architectural Wall" Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking UMBO modular shelving system designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles and produced by Umbo Design Inc. during the 1970s.
Plastic
Sold
H 12 in W 42 in L 12 in
Umbo Modular Shelving System, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1971 USA
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Iconic and highly collectible Umbo modular shelving system by Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional 1971.
Plastic
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970s, USA
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Modular Umbo storage unit by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, USA 1970s. Breaks down for shipping. Ample pegs included. Please see my other Umbo listing.
Plastic
Sold
H 57 in W 193 in D 12 in
'UMBO' Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1972
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare shelving system is the 'UMBO' system designed in the early 1970s by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, and was first published in New York magazine on September 25, 1972.
Plastic
Large Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Shelving Unit
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Large Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Shelving Unit Unit can be taken apart for transport.
Plastic
Sold
H 90 in W 34 in D 12 in
Umbo Shelving Unit Bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles Brown Plastic After Joe Colombo
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern brown molded plastic umbo shelving unit bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles in the manner of Joe Colombo.
Plastic
Sold
H 72.5 in W 34 in D 12 in
MCM Orange Plastic Modular Shelving "Umbo" System / Bookcase by Directional
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in San Diego, CA
Super cool MCM orange, plastic, backless modular shelving system / bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional Furniture, circa 1970s.
Plastic
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.
Plastic
Sold
H 89 in W 87 in D 54 in
Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Corner Shelving Unit, Directional, Ivory Cream, 1972
By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo corner shelving unit, directional, ivory cream, 1972 UMBO was published in New York magazine on September 25, 1972 and became a huge hit for Directional (altho...
Plastic
Space Age Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay Ruggles for Directional
By Directional
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A Umbo Space Age modular shelving unit in a molded yellow ABS styled plastic containing 28 pieces making for a large unit .
Plastic
Sold
H 24 in W 34 in D 12 in
Kay Leroy Ruggles Plastic Shelving/Bookcase, UMBO Normally attb to Joe Colombo
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice and pretty yellow space age color shelving unit.
Plastic
Sold
H 57 in W 50 in D 12 in
Kay Leroy Ruggles Two Colors Plastic Shelving/Bookcase, "UMBO" Bookcase Normally Attb to Joe Colombo
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very smart and easy concept of build furniture, in 1972 Kay Leroy Ruggles patents the easy system to make shelvings , coffee tables and many more furniture ideas. This syst...
Plastic
Orange Red Modular Plastic Umbo Bookshelf
By Directional
Located in Hopewell, NJ
1972 Kay Leroy Ruggles patented this easy "Umbo" system to make shelving, coffee tables and many more furniture ideas.
Brown "Umbo" Modular Console by Kay Leroy Ruggles, 1970
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The "Umbo" shelving system was designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles and produced by Directional in 1970.
Plastic
Joe Colombo
Located in Southampton, NY
Incredible modular Umbo shelving system, designed by Joe Colombo for Kartell.
1970’s Orange Umbo Modular Shelving
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Orange Umbo modular shelving system designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970’s. in excellent vintage condition.
Plastic
1970’s Umbo Modular Shelving by Kay Leroy Ruggles
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Yellow Umbo modular shelving system designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970.
Plastic
1970's Brown Umbo Modular Bookshelf
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Umbo modular bookshelf/shelving designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970's.
Plastic
1970's Umbo Modular Shelving System By Kay Leroy Ruggles
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1970's Umbo modular shelving system in canary yellow designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional.
Plastic
$6,623 / set
H 24.01 in W 18.12 in D 14.18 in
Pair of Park Night Stands in Noir Oxblood Lacquer by Yaniv Chen for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Park nightstand is the epitome of exquisite craftsmanship, featuring meticulously proportioned dimensions and exceptional detailing that make it an ideal bedside companion. Our f...
Lacquer
Walnut Minimalist Handmade Platform Queen Bed Frame, Judd Style
By Figure Ground, Donald Judd, George Nakashima
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An ode to our friend Donald Judd, the bedframe design employs the tatami style of Japanese Rooms and the Hygge of Danish comfort. The reveal is celebrated in its shadow. Rest happens...
Plywood
$17,600Sale Price / set|44% Off
H 94.49 in W 14.18 in D 133.86 in
Willy Guhl 46 Piece Modular Concrete Cube Bookcase, 1978 Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Stunning monumental 46 piece concrete bookcase by Willy Guhl. Made up of 2 different sized hand-made concrete cubes.36 big size and 10 small size, Completely modular and able to be ...
Concrete
Pair of Delord & Garrault Floor to Ceiling Lamps
By Garrault-Delord
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of rare "Sol au plafond" (floor to ceiling) lamps, made of different section of metal tubes holding an enlightnen plexi globe. Adjustable height both at the top and bottom thank...
Metal, Chrome
Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...
Brass
$30,047Sale Price|32% Off
H 59.06 in W 70.08 in D 52.37 in
Original Sunball Chair by Gunter Ris and Ferdinand Selldorf for Rosenthal
By Ris and Selldorf, Rosenthal
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This is a fully restored original version of this 1960's iconic classic astronaut's helmet style space age outdoor swivel chair, As you can imagine, after 60 plus years, the original...
Velvet, Fiberglass
$6,450 / set
H 32.88 in W 78.75 in D 63.19 in
Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Set with Table, Bench, Set of Chairs
By Rainer Daumiller
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining room set consisting of a dining table, bench, and pair of chairs, solid beech, Scandinavia, 1980s This expansive dining room set is a rare find, distinguished by its exceptio...
Beech
Ettore Sottsass Memphis Milano Diva Vintage Wall Mirror, Italy, 1984
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in Vienna, AT
A post-modern wall-mounted mirror, Model „Diva" designed in 1984 by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, Italy. This mirror is a vintage original from the 1980s, made from wood and mi...
Glass, Mirror, Laminate, Wood
Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry, part of our metal Kitchen Collection, is designed as a feature element for any space. The three doors on the upper cabinets are fabricated with a kn...
Brass
$1,400
H 74 in W 32 in D 11 in
Post Modern Space Age Plastic Shelves by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell c. 1970's
By Kartell, Olaf von Bohr
Located in New York, NY
Space Age, Postmodern plastic shelf unit, designed by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell, made in Italy circa 1970's. This example is in very good, original, clean and ready to use condition,...
Plastic
$4,946Sale Price|20% Off
H 98.43 in W 31.5 in D 11.82 in
Freestanding Wall unit, Bookshelves, Roomdivider, Midcentury Modern, 1950s
By Jos De Mey, Van den Berghe-Pauvers 1
Located in Antwerp, BE
Modular wall unit or room divider designed by Jos De Mey for Van den Berghe-Pauvers, Ghent Belgium. 1958. Four black metal mounted on oblique, four tapering legs, brass stretchers ad...
Metal
$16,000
H 21.86 in W 127.17 in D 95.67 in
Italian Sculptural King Size bed with Integrated Nightstands in Ash
Located in Waalwijk, NL
King Size bed, ash, wood, Italy, 1970s A captivating and sculptural double bed, made in Italy in the 1970s. This piece has amazing quality, not only visible in the design itself but...
Ash
Eero Aarnio Pastille Chair
By Eero Aarnio
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Eero Aarnio Pastllle Lounge Chair Originally designed in 1967 This example was manufactured by Adelta C. 2000 Original Neon Green Color There are 2 available, priced individually
Fiberglass
$14,000Sale Price|60% Off
H 79.5 in W 84 in D 108.5 in
Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Lafayette, IN
This remarkable piece is a one-off desk/wardrobe/bar/bookcase/storage cabinet custom-designed by George Nelson in 1949 to match his Basic Cabinet Series (BCS) for Herman Miller. The ...
Aluminum
$3,733 / set
H 10.63 in W 12.6 in D 16.42 in
Set of 5 SPACE-AGE Concrete BOOKCASES by WILLY GUHL for ETERNIT, Swiss 1970
By Willy Guhl
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 5 (on a total of 20 identical pieces!!!) modular concrete bookcases, Modernist, Free Form, Brutalist, rectangular loop cases with rounded edges, with a great grey patina wit...
Concrete
$2,799
H 41.74 in W 20.08 in D 19.69 in
DF2000 trolley bar cabinet by Raymond Loewy for the Doubinsky Frères 1968
By Doubinsky Freres, Raymond Loewy
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
After a brief but promising career as a fashion illustrator, French- American designer Raymond Loewy dedicated his talent to the field of graphic and industrial design. Loewy’s creat...
Metal
Arguably the world’s most ubiquitous man-made material, plastic has impacted nearly every industry. In contemporary spaces, new and vintage plastic furniture is quite popular and its use pairs well with a range of design styles.
From the Italian lighting artisans at Fontana Arte to venturesome Scandinavian modernists such as Verner Panton, who created groundbreaking interiors as much as he did seating — see his revolutionary Panton chair — to contemporary multidisciplinary artists like Faye Toogood, furniture designers have been pushing the boundaries of plastic forever.
When The Graduate's Mr. McGuire proclaimed, “There’s a great future in plastics,” it was more than a laugh line. The iconic quote is an allusion both to society’s reliance on and its love affair with plastic. Before the material became an integral part of our lives — used in everything from clothing to storage to beauty and beyond — people relied on earthly elements for manufacturing, a process as time-consuming as it was costly.
Soon after American inventor John Wesley Hyatt created celluloid, which could mimic luxury products like tortoiseshell and ivory, production hit fever pitch, and the floodgates opened for others to explore plastic’s full potential. The material altered the history of design — mid-century modern legends Charles and Ray Eames, Joe Colombo and Eero Saarinen regularly experimented with plastics in the development of tables and chairs, and today plastic furnishings and decorative objects are seen as often indoors as they are outside.
Find vintage plastic lounge chairs, outdoor furniture, lighting and more on 1stDibs.
Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.
Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.