Our Story
Designed in Toronto, since 1979. A window shade started it. A belief carried it forward. Original design belongs in everyday life.
Umbra began with a simple question: “Could this be better?”
In 1979, childhood friends Paul Rowan and Les Mandelbaum could not find a stylish, affordable window shade for daily living. So they designed one themselves. That single product sparked a whole new way of thinking about home designUmbra Euro….
While many design brands focused on high‑end statement show‑pieces, Umbra turned its attention toward ordinary everyday objects — items that organize rooms, shape daily routines, and quietly solve real‑life problems. For more than 45 years, this mindset has guided every product we create.
We do not pursue design just for beauty’s sake. We create design that earns its place in your home through real‑world function. Today Umbra goods fill households across more than 120 countries worldwide, yet our founding belief stays unchanged: everyday objects deserve original, thoughtful designUmbra.
Founded by Paul Rowan and Les Mandelbaum, Umbra takes its name from the Latin word for “shade”. It remains a privately‑owned, founder‑led company with headquarters in Toronto and regional offices in the United States, Europe, Brazil and ChinaUmbra Euro….
Our Design Pillars
- Better by design: We continuously question and re‑imagine existing household goods.
- Everyday first: We design around how real people actually live.
- Built around use: Function is our starting point, not an after‑thought add‑on.
- Original thinking: We avoid trend‑chasing and imitation; we develop fresh, proprietary ideasUmbra.
Designed by People, Not Departments
Our global in‑house design studio brings together diverse creators, including Matt Carr, Sung Wook Park, Raya Azar, Ben Powell, Henry Huang, Seymer Cruz, Sean Dempsey and more.
Instead of rigid corporate silos, our designers work hands‑on through every stage: sketching, prototyping, testing and refining. Each piece is born from real‑life observation, drawing inspiration from ordinary moments at home.
Sustainability & Community
Our Design for the Planet™ pledge commits us to sustainable design practices. We prioritize durable, long‑lasting products, responsible material sourcing, and waste reduction across development and manufacturing.
Umbra also invests in creative communities: we partner with design schools, run talent‑nurturing internship programs, and support local non‑profit organizations to give back to the communities where we operateUmbra.