Meet SPINE: versatile design in a multi-functional umbrella stand
Studio Milla’s design presents a contemporary reinterpretation of the umbrella stand, transforming a secondary object into the centrepiece of an entrance, with multiple functions to remain relevant all year round.
The umbrella stand is a peculiar object to design, neither furniture nor accessory, it exists in the liminal space of the entrance, in a transition between outside and in. It stands both as a practical object and as an indicator of hospitality, the protagonist of the relief we feel when finally getting in the warm indoors after walking in the rain.
Its quirky character has earned the umbrella stand its place as the brief for the third call of Ideas for Business, a contest held by DesignWanted. One of the three winners is Spine by Studio Milla, an innovative design that reconfigures the umbrella stand to be more useful and adaptive to its context, instead of being only relegated to bad weather days.
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In urban living spaces where every square metre counts, multi-functional furniture is helpful in creating a practical space disposition. The conventional umbrella stand is not only a single-function object, but it is also seasonal, since not every day is a rainy day (luckily for us). When not in use, it is reduced to decorative clutter for the majority of the year. Studio Milla proposes a reinterpretation of the umbrella stands that makes it multi-functional, serving a purpose in the home every day of the year.
Spine is a wall-mounted cylinder that serves three main purposes: ambient lighting, storage, and, of course, an umbrella holder. Crafted from anodised aluminium, the cylinder is divided into various sections that open up to reveal their functionalities. On top, it houses LED lighting that casts soft illumination upwards, downwards, and through rotating elements, providing light to the entrance areas of a building. Small sections of the cylinder pop out of the main structure as shelves, serving a natural landing spot for keys, mail, and personal items. Finally, fold-out loops and integrated drip trays can emerge upon necessity to accommodate umbrellas, to then disappear when not needed, maintaining a clean aesthetic in the space.
Studio Milla‘s approach to Spine reflects a broader design ethos that challenges conventional monofunctional, aesthetic objects, preferring a point of view that is hyper-functional with many variations. “In a world crowded with objects fighting for attention, true design must justify its existence,” the studio explains. “If a product cannot adapt, it doesn’t belong.” This philosophy resonates with a growing demographic of consumers who increasingly value versatility and thoughtful design over an accumulation of specialised items.
The choice of using anodised aluminium also speaks to this target audience, who often lean towards the tech, innovative side of design. The material offers durability and a sleek appearance that provokes interest when entering the interior. The fold-out elements show clever mechanical design, invisible when stored but accessible when needed, with an intuitive transition between the different functions.
As urban living spaces continue to shrink and design consciousness grows, we will only see more multi-functional solutions like Spine, which are developing an evolution in how we think of domestic objects. The umbrella stand, once relegated to forgotten corners or sometimes left outside on the doorstep, has been reimagined as a dynamic centrepiece, worthy of a permanent presence. The project proves that with thoughtful design, any object can genuinely and truly transform into an indispensable and essential element of daily life.
