In 1979 graphic designer Paul Rowan and industrial hardware manufacturer Les Mandelbaum joined forces to provide everyday products that generate excitement and alter the overall aesthetic of a home. Umbra's first product was a printed paper window shade. Its creation offered a decorative alternative to custom window treatments at a price still accessible to everyone. This design was the beginning of a twenty-five year tradition.
THE MULTI PICTURE FRAME, 1993 - designer: Paul Rowan
By 1990, Umbra saw the opportunity to introduce highly styled / high functioning picture frames.
Umbra began by producing innovative, contemporary frames like the ingeniously designed MULTI frame: displaying a number of pictures at one time. This was a concept based on old-fashioned "family tree" photo mattes, and made UmbraŽ frames famous.
THE SONAŽ FLOOR SCREEN, 1995 - designer: Paul Rowan
It's a frame. It's a piece of furniture. It's the SONA floor screen. Standing just under six feet tall, the design of the SONA broke barriers by stepping out of the traditional frame category to become a larger presence in the home. The design is based on Umbra's SHOJI frame - a small, tabletop screen frame - and introduces the idea of using the floor screen as a canvas for an assortment of photos.
UMBRAŽ in the 21st Century
Mandelbaum and Rowan have continued to share the philosophy that surrounds every Umbra frame and album. Everyday objects of our lives should be more than ordinary and invisible. Each object becomes a source of pleasure, reinvented to combine function with modern technology, stylish design, fresh colors and wit at prices that are comfortable. Today their team consists of more than 450 people dedicated to delivering great designs to the fine stores like SendAFrame.
SendAFrame proudly offers the entire Umbra picture frame and photo album collection for your shopping convenience.
