sometimes the new year is for discovering new things, other times for discovering things that for some inexplicable reason have escaped your attention in the past. umbra shift is one such example; an extension of global product design company umbra, focusing on contemporary influences in the design community, which i had not really been consciously aware of before.
the collection, which actually launched back in august 2014, revisits umbra’s heritage of applying thoughtful design to everyday items, through a collaborative of established, emerging, and in–house designers who share umbra’s belief in ideas that are functional, familiar and forward thinking.
i absolutely love the collection of products they have created and cannot believe that – apart from the hanger chair by philippe malouin – these pieces had not been on my radar before now. the cowboy coffee kettle by castor design, based on traditional open range fire brewing, have swiftly moved to the top of my wish list, and i love the sleek graphic lines of the tier side tables by jonah takagi, which draw from the architectural language of modernist 1960’s high-rises. the pleated vase series by msds studio is also incredibly beautiful; designed to accompany a plant through the different stages of growth, highlighting the beauty of the leaves through the handmade, geometric pleats… if only i could keep a plant alive that long!
what about you, have you come across umbra shift before?
24 Responses
Hi! Umbra Shift is new to me but I’m loving the designs – just gorgeous! I can’t resist such cool and beautiful objects like this x
Glad to hear I’m not the only one who missed them Antonia! I agree, as soon as I saw the imagery I was smitten :)
Lovely products here Kate. Can’t say I’ve noticed them before either but I have now! HNY lovely xx
HNY to you too my dear xx
Oh I’m not aware of them either! I really adore that cowboy coffee kettle though – definitely one for my wishlist as well! xx
It’s simple divine, isn’t it! HNY my love xx
All very elegant, simplistic and stylish – a great choice of products to feature.
Thanks so much Rachel!
New to me too. Beautiful products and design. I will have to go and check them out. x
Thanks Karen – let me know which is your fave piece!
oh i do like the look of the coffee kettles! so cute
Cute coffee kettles – is there anything more pleasing in life?! x
I love the stood! I haven’t seen anything like that before.
It’s so cool isn’t it Stephanie – such a fun, tactile take on a classic design :)
How have I not heard of these guys either! Thanks for the introduction! x
Thanks Cate – really happy to expose these guys to some fellow like-minded design lovers :)
New to me too. I can see why you like that coffee kettle, beautiful design.
Nothing better than a beautiful coffee pot G! xx
HNY my love! It’s the first I have heard of them and I love their products ;)
HNY my sweets! Thought they’d be your cup of tea too – great minds, eh? xx
Love the stool too, it’s really quirky, and exactly the blue I am hankering after at the moment!
I know, right? That blue is so on-trend; much nicer than Pantone’s tranquility blue I think…
Nice design. Looks like no one ever heard about them. Love the Cowboy Coffee Kettle, coffee addict. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Julia! Really surprised no-one seems to have come across them but certainly makes me feel better about not having done so until now :)