The Umbra story began in 1979 with a single window shade.
Co-founders Les Mandelbaum and Paul Rowan—childhood friends from Toronto—saw a problem no one else was solving. Paul, a graphic designer, couldn't find a stylish, affordable window shade for his apartment. So he designed one himself: a bold, printed paper shade that friends immediately wanted. Recognizing the opportunity to bring modern design to everyday homes, Paul teamed up with Les, and Umbra (Latin for shade) was born.
What started as one clever product quickly grew into a mission: create original, modern, casual, and functional design that belongs in every home—not just design showrooms. Today, more than 45 years later, Umbra remains a privately owned, founder-led company headquartered in Toronto, with offices across Europe, the United States, Brazil, and China. Our products are sold in over 120 countries through thousands of retailers and our own online store.