One of the advantages of having an attached garage is the fact that I can get into my car when it’s raining with out the need for an umbrella. No umbrella means, no umbrella stand in the house. Actually there is no need for an umbrella stand because if I had a wet umbrella I could just leave it in the garage as well. OK enough of that. If I needed an umbrella stand, I think I might be inclined to go with the one designed by Oki Sato for Japanese design firm nendo. Meji is a minimalist design that takes it’s inspiration from the joints in a tiled floor. This minimalist, sleek stand is made from a Polystone, a dense resin that is covered with silicone which offers durability and pliability. Using grooves to hold the umbrella upright the stand maintains a clean appearance even when it isn’t in use. Options include a single-umbrella stand or a three-umbrella stand, available in five different colors.