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Directional Ottomans and Poufs

​​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.

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Creator: Directional
Kipp Stewart Directional Original Leather Stainless Steel Lounge Chair Ottoman
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Wow, original and buttery soft, off-white leather! On a polished and hefty stainless steel base. This super cool "Arc" lounge chair and ottoman, a complete and original matching set,...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Post Modern Directional Pouf Ottoman in Teddy Bear Camel Bouclé
By Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Timelessly sexy and oh so versatile pouf ottoman by Directional professionally reupholstered in super soft camel color teddy bear bouclé with a high durability rating (over 50k doubl...
Category

1990s American Post-Modern Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery

Pair of Directional Post Modern Poufs Ottomans in Curly Camel Teddy Bear Fabric
By Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Timelessly sexy pair of poufs ottomans by Directional professionally reupholstered in soft camel teddy bear fabric rated highly durable. Upholstered pouf rests atop a channeled upholstered...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Upholstery, Faux Fur

Pair of Vladimir Attributed Lounge Chairs and Ottomans
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Vladimir attributed lounge chairs and ottomans, reupholstered with Italian Boucle. Preview Label on underside Measures: Ottoman H 17" W 24.75" D 22.5".
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery

Kagan for Directional Midcentury Lounge Chairs with Ottoman, Pair
By Directional
Located in Countryside, IL
Vladimir Kagan for Directional midcentury lounge chairs with ottoman - pair Each chair measures: 35.25 wide x 35.25 deep x 28....
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Poufs by Directional
By Directional
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of 1980’s ottoman poufs designed by Directional. Newly recovered in a jersey fabric. Measurements: 24” Diameter, 18” High.  
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric, Foam

Post Modern Directional Pouf Ottoman in Ivory White Boucle
By Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Timelessly sexy and oh so versatile pouf ottoman by Directional professionally reupholstered in soft ivory white boucle with a high durability rating (over 50k double rubs). Plush and comfortable, the poufs can be easily incorporated as ottomans with other designer pieces or stand on their own for that extra seat. Pair available. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed with and also currently available in our shop- Pair of Preview Tri Leg Post Modern Armchairs...
Category

1990s American Post-Modern Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery

Milo Baughman Upside Down U Ottoman
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Milo Baughman Upside Down U Ottoman with solid brass foot supports, Reupholstered with Knoll Aegean Boucle.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb for Directional Rectangular Blue Leather and Walnut Ottoman
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century rectangular ottoman with a blue leather upholstered seat resting on a walnut frame with tapered legs. (PAUL MCCOBB FOR DIRECTIONAL) Leather is cracking.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut

Paul McCobb for Directional Rectangular Black Vinyl and Walnut Ottoman
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century rectangular ottoman with a black vinyl upholstered top resting on a walnut base with tapered legs. (PAUL MCCOBB FOR DIRECTIONAL)
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Walnut

Nautilus Ottomans by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. We also have two more available ready for reupholstery, as well as four Nautilus chairs by Directi...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Upholstery

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Contemporary Sculptural Pouf by WOO - Ottoman DROVA 4 - Wool fabric
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Rare Pair of Model 2254 Lounge Chairs by Børge Mogensen with Ottomans 1950s Wool
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Pair of Karl Springer Soufflé Ottomans or Poufs
By Karl Springer
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Pair of Karl Springer Soufflé ottomans or poufs Note: Polished steel bases on castors - showing reflection of floor on bases.
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Materials

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Pair of Karl Springer Soufflé Ottomans or Poufs
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ONIX Organic Modern Pouf Ottoman in Cappuccino white color Bouclé
Located in Viseu, PT
Like a talisman for the home, Onix pouf exudes quiet luxury and natural beauty. Onix is upholstered with a soft, textured bouclé from Fischbacher 1819, a Swiss family-owned company ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

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Franck Evennou, Pouf Trèfle, Set of 3 Ottomans, Bronze, France, 2020
By Franck Evennou
Located in New York, NY
Franck Evennou has a poetic language inspired by nature, and by all subjects that carry the residue of their pasts. His works, particularly in bronze, possess a powerful nostalgic quality, capturing in sculptural permanence the ephemeral beauty of a faint memory or a story half-forgotten. An aesthetic bridge between Evennou's earlier work and his newer pieces in bronze, this set of three conjoining ottomans, set upon triangular feet...
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2010s French Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

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Round Fur Ottoman, Mongolian Sheepskin Pouf
By Emily Barbara
Located in Dural, AU
This round fur ottoman will be the wow factor that your decor needs. The snow white Mongolian fur ottoman will look and feel super lush in any in...
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Round Fur Ottoman, Mongolian Sheepskin Pouf
Round Fur Ottoman, Mongolian Sheepskin Pouf
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H 18.12 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
Gio Ponti Style Sculptural Pair of Mid Century Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
Located in Bernville, PA
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Materials

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ONIX II Organic Modern Pouf Ottoman in Dry Green Bouclé
Located in Viseu, PT
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Pair of Walnut and Fabric Pillow Top Ottomans by Michael Taylor
By Michael Taylor
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1950’s pair of dark walnut and white pillow top fabric ottomans or benches by Michael Taylor. Newly recovered with a white nubby fabric (see detail photos)...
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21st Century Samarcanda Pouf in Fabric and Brass by Etro Home Interiors
By Etro
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Directional Ottomans and Poufs

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Bamboo Ottoman or Pouf
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in New York, NY
Nice circular bamboo footrest, ottoman. Comes with upholstered pad top, in black fabric. Measures: Diameter at top 19" x diameter at bottom 16".
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Bamboo Ottoman or Pouf
Bamboo Ottoman or Pouf
$575
H 13 in Dm 19 in
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Lounge Chair by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning dramatic form lounge chair designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in the 1980's. Its retains the original upholstery which needs to be recovered. Padding a...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

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Fabric

Previously Available Items
A pair of directional "Waterfall" Upholstered Bench Ottomans after Springer
By Karl Springer, Directional
Located in Charleston, SC
Excellent curved waterfall benches Waterfall benches designed in the manner of Vladimir Kagan for Directional. These benches are not marked but the parsons style pillow top, was on...
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1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

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Pair of 'Corkscrew' Ottomans by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, Signed
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 'Corkscrew' ottomans by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, circa 1980s / 90s signed with a Directional labels underneath. MEASUREMENTS: H 16.25" x W 28.5" x D 20"
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1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

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Wood, Ultrasuede

Kipp Stewart Rosewood and Walnut Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
This is a beautiful and rare lounge chair and ottoman pairing designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional in 1960. Superb form and beautiful woods combine in this walnut frame chair wit...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Ottomans and Poufs

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Rosewood, Walnut

Pair of Directional Swivel Poufs Ottomans, 1970s
By Directional
Located in Westport, CT
Timelessly and organic set of poufs ottomans by Directional professionally reupholstered in high-end soft faux fur. Plush and comfortable, the poufs featu...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Faux Fur

Pair of Directional Poufs Ottomans in Ivory White Bouclé
By Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Timelessly sexy pair of poufs ottomans by Directional professionally reupholstered in soft ivory white bouclé with high durability rating. Plush and comfortable, the poufs can be eas...
Category

1990s American Post-Modern Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Bouclé

Pair of Waterfall Benches in Ivory Bouclé by Directional, circa 1970s
By Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sculptural and modern 1970s Directional waterfall benches professionally reupholstered in soft ivory bouclé fabric and photographed with a pair o...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery

Pair of Waterfall Benches in Ivory Bouclé by Directional, circa 1970s
By Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sculptural and modern 1970s Directional waterfall benches professionally reupholstered in soft ivory bouclé fabric and photographed with a pair o...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery

Milo Baughman Style Directional Sectional Sofa, Chaise & Pouf Having Piled Base
By Directional
Located in Southampton, NJ
From a custom 1986 Hatteras Yacht installation, this one of a kind Directional design stands out amongst the rest. Having original cream leather throughout in wonderful condition. Pr...
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1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

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Leather, Wood

Pair of Persimmon Directional Waterfall Leather Ottomans
By Directional
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Pair of Directional persimmon leather ottomans, circa late 1970s. Newly upholstered. Price listed is for the pair.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Leather

Vladimir Kagan Cloud Sofa with Ottoman
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An outstanding example of Vladimir Kagan’s cloud sofa for Directional Furniture with matching ottoman. Both pieces are upholstered in the original gray microfiber, with topstitched s...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Textile

Directional Pouf Ottomans, Pair
By Directional
Located in Southampton, NJ
An exceptional pair of generously sized pouf ottomans designed by Directional. As if frozen in time, striking original shimmering hand painted fa...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Modern Directional Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Paint

Pair of Chairs with Ottoman from Directional
By Directional
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Directional set of two chairs and an ottoman in a new peacock blue wool fabric. Chairs swivel and lean back. On chrome or stainless wrapped bases. The ottoman is not. This set has be...
Category

20th Century American Directional Ottomans and Poufs

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Upholstery

Directional ottomans and poufs for sale on 1stDibs.

Directional ottomans and poufs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Directional ottomans and poufs, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original ottomans and poufs by Directional were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider ottomans and poufs by Marge Carson, Warren Platner, and Thayer Coggin. Prices for Directional ottomans and poufs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,000 and can go as high as $8,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,650.
Questions About Directional Ottomans and Poufs
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    While a pear-shaped ring can be worn either way, most commonly it is worn with the tip of the diamond facing upwards to look like a falling teardrop when the hand is raised. This also helps create the impression of longer fingers.

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