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Umbo Modular

1970's Umbo Modular Shelving System By Kay Leroy Ruggles
1970's Umbo Modular Shelving System By Kay Leroy Ruggles

1970's Umbo Modular Shelving System By Kay Leroy Ruggles

By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Los Angeles, CA

1970's Umbo modular shelving system in canary yellow designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional

Category

Vintage 1970s American Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

1970s Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional 26 Pieces
1970s Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional 26 Pieces

1970s Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional 26 Pieces

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Monrovia, CA

1970s UMBO Modular Shelving Unit Designed by Kay LeRoy Ruggles For Directional, Made In The USA, 26

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional

Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional

By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional

Located in Chicago, IL

c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional

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.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Recent Sales

1970’s Orange Umbo Modular Shelving
1970’s Orange Umbo Modular Shelving

1970’s Orange Umbo Modular Shelving

Sold

H 34 in W 39 in D 12 in

1970’s Orange Umbo Modular Shelving

By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Orange Umbo modular shelving system designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970’s. in

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

1970's Brown Umbo Modular Bookshelf
1970's Brown Umbo Modular Bookshelf

1970's Brown Umbo Modular Bookshelf

Sold

H 32 in W 40 in D 12 in

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. In good

Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO Modular Horizontal Shelve
Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO Modular Horizontal Shelve

Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO Modular Horizontal Shelve

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Rare Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO modular horizontal shelve / room divider manufactured by Directional

Category

Vintage 1970s American Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO Modular Horizontal Shelf
Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO Modular Horizontal Shelf

Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO Modular Horizontal Shelf

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Rare Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO modular horizontal shelve / room divider manufactured by Directional

Category

Vintage 1970s American Shelves

Materials

Plastic

1970’s Umbo Modular Shelving by Kay Leroy Ruggles
1970’s Umbo Modular Shelving by Kay Leroy Ruggles

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. In

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Umbo Modular Shelving System, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1971 USA
Umbo Modular Shelving System, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1971 USA

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

Category

Late 20th Century American Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Umbo Modular Shelving, Kay Leroy Ruggles, 1970
Umbo Modular Shelving, Kay Leroy Ruggles, 1970

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

Category

Vintage 1970s American Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

UMBO Modular Bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional
UMBO Modular Bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional

UMBO Modular Bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional

By Directional

Located in Chattanooga, TN

your 12" vinyl collection. 1970's white and ivory, molded ABS plastic, modular "Umbo" shelf unit

Category

Vintage 1970s American Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Umbo Modular Shelving Unit Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970s, USA
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970s, USA

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

Category

Vintage 1970s American Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

'UMBO' Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1972
'UMBO' Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1972

'UMBO' Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1972

By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Directional who produced a wide variety of modules and since UMBO was fully modular, it could be arranged and

Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Orange Umbo Shelving, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970s
Orange Umbo Shelving, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970s

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. Strong

Category

Vintage 1970s American Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Kay Leroy Ruggles Modular Umbo Console Shelf Unit Bookcase
Kay Leroy Ruggles Modular Umbo Console Shelf Unit Bookcase

Kay Leroy Ruggles Modular Umbo Console Shelf Unit Bookcase

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Brooklyn, NY

White, molded ABS plastic, modular "Umbo" shelf unit, bookcase in a console configuration by Kay

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Large Kay LeRoy Ruggles plastic modular shelving/bookcase "UMBO"
Large Kay LeRoy Ruggles plastic modular shelving/bookcase "UMBO"

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...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Side Table Modular Shelf, Directional, Ivory Cream, 1972
Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Side Table Modular Shelf, Directional, Ivory Cream, 1972

Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Side Table Modular Shelf, Directional, Ivory Cream, 1972

By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Kay Leroy Ruggles umbo side table modular shelf, Directional, ivory cream, 1972. UMBO was

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Plastic

Modular Shelving Unit by Directional
Modular Shelving Unit by Directional

Modular Shelving Unit by Directional

Sold

H 57 in W 49.5 in D 12 in

Modular Shelving Unit by Directional

Located in Dallas, TX

Rare modular "UMBO" shelving unit produced by Directional and attributed to designer Joe Colombo

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO Modular Vertical Shelf
Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO Modular Vertical Shelf

Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO Modular Vertical Shelf

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Rare Kay Leroy Ruggles UMBO modular vertical shelve / room divider manufactured by Directional

Category

Vintage 1970s American Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Space Age Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay Ruggles for Directional
Space Age Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay Ruggles for Directional

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

Category

Mid-20th Century American Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Orange Red Modular Plastic Umbo Bookshelf
Orange Red Modular Plastic Umbo Bookshelf

Orange Red Modular Plastic Umbo Bookshelf

Sold

H 81.5 in W 50 in D 12 in

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

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Kay Leroy Ruggles Modular Umbo Shelf Unit Bookcase
Kay Leroy Ruggles Modular Umbo Shelf Unit Bookcase

Kay Leroy Ruggles Modular Umbo Shelf Unit Bookcase

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Brooklyn, NY

White, molded ABS plastic, modular "Umbo" shelf unit, bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles is made up of

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

MCM Orange Plastic Modular Shelving "Umbo" System / Bookcase by Directional
MCM Orange Plastic Modular Shelving "Umbo" System / Bookcase by Directional

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

Category

Mid-20th Century American Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Corner Shelving Unit, Directional, Ivory Cream, 1972
Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Corner Shelving Unit, Directional, Ivory Cream, 1972

Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Corner Shelving Unit, Directional, Ivory Cream, 1972

By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Brooklyn, NY

); since UMBO was fully modular, it could be arranged and re-arranged at any time. UMBO was even available

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Midcentury Pop Art Plastic Umbo Shelves by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional
Midcentury Pop Art Plastic Umbo Shelves by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional

Midcentury Pop Art Plastic Umbo Shelves by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional

By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A hard to find set in the most desirable color. This Umbo set is a modular system designed by Kay

Category

Vintage 1970s American Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Brown "Umbo" Modular Console by Kay Leroy Ruggles, 1970
Brown "Umbo" Modular Console by Kay Leroy Ruggles, 1970

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

Category

Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Console Tables

Materials

Plastic

1970s Mid-Century Modern Yellow and White Modular Shelving
1970s Mid-Century Modern Yellow and White Modular Shelving

1970s Mid-Century Modern Yellow and White Modular Shelving

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Umbo. It is modular and can be used as a wall unit, book shelf, or separated into low side tables

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Joe Colombo
Joe Colombo

Joe Colombo

Sold

H 81 in W 49.5 in D 12 in

Joe Colombo

Located in Southampton, NY

Incredible modular Umbo shelving system, designed by Joe Colombo for Kartell.

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Shelves

Kay Leroy Ruggles Brown "UMBO" Modular Shelf Unit for Directional
Kay Leroy Ruggles Brown "UMBO" Modular Shelf Unit for Directional

Kay Leroy Ruggles Brown "UMBO" Modular Shelf Unit for Directional

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Salt Lake City, UT

Good vintage condition Has some imperfections A couple pieces have a small crack Also not all the dowels are original This unit can be re arranged in many different sizes and...

Category

Vintage 1960s Shelves

Materials

Plastic

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Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon

Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon

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Contemporary Art Deco Mint green and Red powder coated Carousel 5 arms pendant

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Set of 5 SPACE-AGE Concrete BOOKCASES by WILLY GUHL for ETERNIT, Swiss 1970
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By Willy Guhl

Located in PARIS, FR

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By Olaf von Bohr, Kartell

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Vintage 1970s Raymond Loewy Style Space Age Green Chapter One Highboy Dresser
Vintage 1970s Raymond Loewy Style Space Age Green Chapter One Highboy Dresser

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Space-age Cream Plastic Stacking Chair Designed by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Umbo

Space-age Cream Plastic Stacking Chair Designed by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Umbo

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Grand Rapids, MI

Sweden, 1970s Space-age cream plastic Umbo stacking chair designed by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for the Umbo Furniture line series which was sold by Directional. Made in Sweden by Overman. A...

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Large Raymond Loewy Inspired Yellow Chapter One Gentlemans Chest Armoire

Large Raymond Loewy Inspired Yellow Chapter One Gentlemans Chest Armoire

$5,196Sale Price|20% Off

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Large Raymond Loewy Inspired Yellow Chapter One Gentlemans Chest Armoire

By Ettore Sottsass, Raymond Loewy, Broyhill

Located in Chattanooga, TN

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Umbo Modular For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the umbo modular you’re looking for. Each umbo modular for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using plastic. Your living room may not be complete without a umbo modular — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A umbo modular made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Modern — is very popular.

How Much is a Umbo Modular?

Prices for a umbo modular start at $1,600 and top out at $18,500 with the average selling for $3,045.

Materials: Plastic Furniture

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.

Finding the Right Shelves for You

From valuable historical memorabilia to rare architectural models to priceless family photos, there’s no shortage of collectibles and curiosities worthy of adorning your home. Why not take the time to find the ideal antique, new or vintage shelves for your treasured trinkets?

For every space and object, there’s sure to be a wall-mounted or sturdy floor solution that matches your shelving needs on 1stDibs. And while shelves should technically stick out from your wall, they shouldn’t from the rest of your decor.

Because you can find shelves made with a wide variety of materials today, everything from teak to brass, your shelving can seamlessly support your existing color scheme and design style. An arrangement of shelves from floor to ceiling can turn your wall into a proud storage space for displaying artwork, decorative objects and books. Options abound with regard to shelving for the latter, as furniture designers know that literature creates an inviting atmosphere in any room, and one of the simplest ways to integrate books into an interior design is with the right shelves or bookcase.

Elegant shelving is a must for a happy home office or library, but a sharp shelving system can freshen up virtually any room in your home. Proudly display your vintage dinner plates and other tableware with open shelving in the kitchen or tuck away linens in big baskets on shelves in your bathroom if you’re navigating life without a proper linen closet.

On 1stDibs, find a wide range of shelves that includes everything from mid-century modern floating shelves to decorative Chinese shelves dating from the 18th century to contemporary statement-making structures that are as provocative as they are convenient.