Directional Decorative Objects
A brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere, Directional Furniture opened its doors after American furniture designer Paul McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York–based Modernage Company.
In his pivotal introduction of postwar modernism to the mass market, the revered Massachusetts-born McCobb had established several lines, from the affordable and refined Planner Group for Winchendon to the swooping and unexpected arms of the Symmetric Group for Widdicomb, a Shaker-inspired collection that included a sofa and a lounge chair. Like all of McCobb’s designs, the Directional pieces for Modernage are defined by a sleek aesthetic in which the focus is on elegant functionality, frequently using fine materials such as brass and walnut. In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company.
The pair’s first pieces were upholstered chairs, intended to harmonize with the modular Multiplex pieces designed by Martin Feinman. McCobb then designed an array of furniture including storage, dining, seating, desks and other pieces with details such as leather tops, wood finishes and Roman Travertine surfaces. While Directional stopped production of McCobb’s work in the early 1960s, it still released numerous pieces by leading designers manufactured by a variety of companies.
Designer Paul Evans led the factory for a time after joining in 1964. His provocative work for the company often reflected his understanding of materials from his early training as a silversmith, such as the popular Cityscape series — a milestone in brutalist design — with its blocky forms accented with brass and chrome. At his shop in Lambertville, New Jersey, he collaborated with a design team to clad furniture pieces in metallic surfaces, like the Argente line that began production in 1968 and involved an acetylene torch to give its aluminum material a textural quality. He also worked on the Sculpted Bronze series with hand-formed resin shaped over plywood or steel that was then coated with atomized bronze.
Other Directional designers included Vladimir Kagan, who contributed biomorphic sofas and swivel chairs; Milo Baughman, who created tables and dressers inspired by Scandinavian modernism; and Jack Lenor Larsen, who covered sofas in dynamically patterned fabric.
Find authentic Directional Furniture seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
1970s American Vintage Directional Decorative Objects
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Directional Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Directional Decorative Objects
Cedar
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Directional Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Decorative Objects
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Directional Decorative Objects
Wood, Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Directional Decorative Objects
Wood, Softwood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Directional Decorative Objects
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Directional Decorative Objects
Gold Plate, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Decorative Objects
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Directional Decorative Objects
Gold
2010s German Organic Modern Directional Decorative Objects
Mahogany, Plywood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Directional Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Directional decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
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