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
$4,600
H 72.75 in W 11.75 in D 17.5 in
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.
Plastic
$4,600
H 72.75 in W 11.75 in D 17.5 in
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
$12,550
H 49 in W 97 in D 12 in
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
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
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. Strong
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
Modular Shelving Unit by Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare modular "UMBO" shelving unit produced by Directional and attributed to designer Joe Colombo
Plastic
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
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
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
Glass, Plastic
1970’s Umbo Modular Shelving by Kay Leroy Ruggles
By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Yellow Umbo modular shelving system designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970. In
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 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
Plastic
Sold
H 57 in W 193 in D 12 in
'UMBO' Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1972
By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare shelving system is the 'UMBO' system designed in the early 1970s by Kay Leroy Ruggles for
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
Plastic
Sold
H 72.5 in W 34 in D 12 in
MCM Orange Plastic Modular Shelving "Umbo" System / Bookcase by Directional
By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in San Diego, CA
Super cool MCM orange, plastic, backless modular shelving system / bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles
Plastic
Sold
H 89 in W 87 in D 54 in
Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Corner Shelving Unit, Directional, Ivory Cream, 1972
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo corner shelving unit, directional, ivory cream, 1972 UMBO was published in
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
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
easy system to make shelvings , coffee tables and many more furniture ideas. This system can be
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
Joe Colombo
Located in Southampton, NY
Incredible modular Umbo shelving system, designed by Joe Colombo for Kartell.
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
Ettore Sottsass Callimaco Floor Lamp for Artemide
By Ettore Sottsass, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Ettore Sottsass 'Callimaco' floor lamp for Artemide. Originally created in 1982, Ettore Sottsass’ “horn” of light creates the remarkable illusion of an oversized musical instrument...
Aluminum
$2,286
H 14.18 in W 28.75 in D 28.75 in
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Coffee Table in Walnut and Glass, Italy, 1960's
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Coffee Table in Wood and Glass, Italy, 1960's This coffee table was designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in Italy, known for their refined approach to form and ma...
Glass, Walnut
1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional Cado wall unit in walnut by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. We currently have many different Cado pieces in stock and can customize your order to incl...
Teak
$22,000
H 100.4 in W 231.5 in D 19.3 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Modular Wall Unit in Walnut & Aluminum
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nelson for Herman Miller, modular wall unit model 'CSS', walnut, aluminium, glass, United States, 1959 Herman Miller introduced George Nelson’s Comprehensive Storage System (...
Aluminum
$1,275 / item
H 15 in W 13.5 in D 6 in
JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
$2,359
H 16.15 in Dm 19.69 in
Mid-Century Large Veined Beige Cocoon Pendant by Castiglioni, Italy 1960s
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning and incredibly rare large mid-century round veined "Cocoon" chandelier designed by Achille Castilglioni and produced in Italy during the 1960s. In fabulous condition and f...
Metal, Steel
George Nakashima Straight Chair for Knoll
By Knoll, George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by master craftsman George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946, the N19 chair was intended as a mass-produced counterpoint to the Nakashima Studio’s popular “Straight Chair.” The de...
Walnut
French 18th Century Louis XV Painted & Gilt Queen Bed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A quality Louis XV Period carved and gold gilt queen bed frame. The four piece frame has classic carvings of Rococo influenced Louis XV style with flamboyant carvings and gold gilt c...
Gold
$4,639 / item
H 31.5 in W 24.5 in D 29 in
Clara Porset's Mexican Butaque Chair, licensed reedition by Luteca
By Luteca Furniture, Clara Porset
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cuban-born Clara Porset was a pioneer for modern design in Mexico. Having studied architecture in New York and then Paris, she finally settled in Mexico devoting her life to champion...
Hide, Maple
$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
$16,500 / set
H 14.97 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa di Seveso, Natural Green Modular Cabinet-Bookcase.
By Maisa
Located in Almelo, NL
Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa di Seveso, Natural Green Modular Cabinet-Bookcase, Milan, Italy, 1970s The Dutch designer Derk Jan de Vries in the 1970s designed this unique modular cab...
Glass, Ash
$2,420 / item
H 27.56 in W 14.97 in D 3.94 in
Tahiti Table Lamp 'EU VERSION 220v', by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis, Milano
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown the EU wired 220v 'Tahiti' table lamp, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981. The light fixture is of a polychrome enameled metal "duck" with a pivoting-like head mo...
Metal
$665 / item
H 30.71 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Bruno Rey for Kush and Co, 1971, ICONIC Dining Room Chair, Model 3300
By Kusch+Co, Bruno Rey
Located in Antwerp, BE
A mid-century modern iconic chair for your living room, office or Restaurant since 1971. The design that emerged from a period of countless experiments was model 3300, the Rey chair,...
Metal
$52,000
H 121.66 in W 149.81 in D 14.18 in
Mogens Koch for Rud Radmussen Substantial Modular Library in Pine
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen, modular bookcase or library, pine, Denmark, design 1928 Intriguing and substantial modular library by Danish designer Mogens Koch. This piece is cons...
Pine
$2,117
H 59.06 in Dm 15.75 in
Achille Castiglioni Mid-Century Beige "Cocoon" Round Pendant, Italy 1960s
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century "cocoon" pendant with a marvelous dark beige even patina. This gorgeous cocoon ceiling lamp was designed by Achille Castiglioni in Italy in the 1960s. This coco...
Metal, Steel
$9,074
H 27.56 in W 151.58 in D 31.5 in
Luigi Colani Modular Orbis Sofa Table 1969 COR Germany Orange Velvet Space Age
By COR, Luigi Colani
Located in Munster, NRW
Luigi Colani, 1969 for COR, Germany - modular Orbis sofa with original orange-red needle velvet. The fabric has a very pleasant feel, get an impression from the detail photos. The ...
Plywood
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.