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.
Large Three Piece Sectional Sofa by Directional. Black/White Fabric. Signed.
By Directional
Located in Kansas City, MO
L shaped sectional sofa by Directional in a beautiful black and white patterned fabric with a snakeskin like appearance. This is from the original owner and was placed in a large, rarely used living...
Upholstery, Wood
Post Modern Directional Open Arm Lounge Chairs, 1980
By Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Post Modern Directional Open Arm Lounge Chairs, 1980’s. Original upholstery in great condition. Measure 29” tall 32” wide 27” deep seat height 18.5” seat seat depth 20.5”
Upholstery
Paul McCobb for Directional Model 302 Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional Model 302 Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 28 wide x 32 deep x 31.25 high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height/chair clea...
Upholstery, Walnut
Paul Evans Cityscape Keep Safe Box
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Cityscape Keep Safe Box, not many of these were produced, interior plastic laminite. Dimensions: 5" wide 5" deep 3" high
Steel
$12,600Sale Price / set|30% Off
Paul Evans for Directional Set of Eight Dining Chairs
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of eight dining chairs designed by Paul Evans and produced by Directional. Two armchairs and six side chairs, all expertly reupholstered a grey Maharam fabric. Great style and co...
Upholstery, Mahogany
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.
Brass
Kipp Stewart for Directional Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart for Directional Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 18.5 wide x 22 deep x 37 high, with a seat height of 18 inches Each captains ch...
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,800 / item
Small Mid-Century Cabinet by Directional
By Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish end table cabinet features a truly innovative design, combining a vintage tortoise finish with brass trim and several unique storage options. Standard cabinet storage me...
Lacquer
1980s Directional Kagan Black Microsuede and Leather Swivel Chairs, Set of 2
By Directional
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, chairs you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it be...
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Large Scale Directional Post Modern Swivel Chairs & Ottoman in Mocha Fabric
By Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Stretch out and then some in these luxurious extra large Post Modern Directional Swivel Chairs newly professionally reupholstered in glimmering Mocha textured fabric. That side profi...
Fabric, Upholstery
$6,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Brass Swivel Lounge Chairs by Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Experience the timeless allure of mid-century design with this striking pair of vintage brass swivel lounge chairs, crafted by Directional in the United States during the iconic 1970...
Brass
Paul Evans PE-11 Sculptured Metal Cocktail Table for Directional Furniture
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Stamford, CT
The featured PE-11 Angle Zig-Zag motif cocktail table, part of the Sculptured Metal collection, is a striking composition of steel and bronze. Its expressive weldwork, rich oxidation...
Bronze, Steel
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)
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Paul McCobb for Directional MCM Bleached Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs - 4
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century Bleached Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 4 Each armless chair measures: 17.75 wide x 21 deep x 36 inches high, with a seat height/ch...
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
$2,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
Stylish Pair of Waterfall Ottoman Benches by Directional, 1980s
By Directional
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Sculptural pair of Directional waterfall ottomans. This pair will need to be reupholstered original fabric is worn and dated. They measure 17.5"t x 27"l x 17.5"d.
Upholstery
Post Modern High Arm Bench by Directional, 1970
By Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Post Modern high arm bench by Directional, 1970. Original upholstery.
Upholstery
Channeled Postmodern Lounge Chair by Kipp Stewart for Directional
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Brass base with new nubby wool upholstery. Designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional.
Wool
Pair of Directional White Laminate and Chrome Bedside Tables / Commodes
By Directional
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century white laminate bedside tables / commodes with one large cabinet and two adjacent drawers, each with a square chrome...
Metal, Chrome
Modernist Walnut Bar Cart / Cabinet on Casters by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Buffalo, NY
This walnut bar cabinet was manufactured by Directional in the 1960s and attributed to both Milo Baughman and Kipp Stewart due to stylistic attributes associated with both designers,...
Brass, Steel
Vintage Exotic Wood Sideboard Cabinet by Milo Baughman for Directional
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
A Vintage Exotic wood sideboard cabinet attributed to Milo Baughman for Directional. One of the doors needs an adjustment to properly close and ...
Wood
Set of Eight Chrome Cityscape Dining Chairs by Paul Evans for Directional
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
A nice set of eight cityscape dining chairs by Paul Evans for Directional, circa 1974. The set consists of two armchairs model PE-241 and six side chairs model PE-240. Chromed steel ...
Steel, Chrome
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...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$22,000 / set
Four Sculptural Dining Chairs by Directional
By Directional
Located in New York, NY
Set of four dining chairs by Directional. The chairs have the original upholstery and a nice sculptural design.
Upholstery
Larry Laslo for Directional Art Deco Oval Beige Bouclé Sofa Golden Diamond Legs
By Larry Laslo, Directional
Located in Miami, FL
Modern daybed, round sofa, oversized ottoman designed by Larry Laslo for Directional in the 1990s. Upholstery is a high-quality beige and gold or taupe color bouclé fabric. Elegant g...
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam, Wood
Paul Evans for Directional Cityscape Style Mid Century Patchwork Burlwood Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans for Directional Cityscape style mid century patchwork burlwood table The table measures: 39 wide x 39 deep x 29.25 high, with a chair...
Burl
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Black Lacquered Mahogany and Brass Armchairs
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs By Paul McCobb for Directional, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Elegant black lacquered sculpted mahogany frames, with upho...
Brass
1970s Paul Evans Iconic Cityscape Dining Table, Signed
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in North Canton, OH
Iconic Paul Evans Burled Patchwork and Chrome Dining Table from his Cityscape Collection. Signed. Two leaves. Condition Disclosure: Please understand nearly all of our inventory is ...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Channel Back Swivel Lounge Chairs by Directional, 1970s
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century modern walnut swivel chairs manufactured by Directional during the 1970s. Beautifully restored, these sculptural lounge chairs showcase the bold yet inviting design langu...
Fabric, Walnut
Milo Baughman for Directional MCM Geometric Bronze and Glass Coffee Table
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Directional Mid Century Geometric Bronze and Glass Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 48 wide x 48 deep x 16.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be h...
Bronze
$14,750 / set
Pair of Large Swiveling Lounge Chairs by Directional
By Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Thoughtfully curated pair of vintage swivel chairs by Directional, circa 1980's. Acquire leisure time with artful ease. Luxuriant and enveloping, featuring a classic yet minimalist d...
Upholstery, Wood
Milo Baughman for Directional Midcentury Coffee Table
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Directional midcentury coffee table This coffee table measures: 48 wide x 48 deep x 16.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restor...
Metal
1980's Directional Swivel Lounge Chairs in Navy Blue with Brass Base
By Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning, highly sculptural lounge chairs designed by Directional Design. Amazingly comfortable expertly restored, recovered in a gorgeous navy blue velvet. They swivel, tilt and roc...
Brass
Paul Evans Cityscape Dining Suite / Eight Chairs w Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
This listing is for a Dining Suite in desirable chrome cityscape and white leather. Includes a dining table (not pictured at this moment) with two armchairs and six side chairs. Dini...
Metal
Pair of Large Blue Velvet Ottomans by Directional
By Directional
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large blue velvet ottomans by Directional.
Velvet
Monumental Black Lacquered Low Table by Directional
By Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Gorgeous black gloss lacquered pillow freeform low table by Directional. Monolithic and minimal in design. The large square shape with molded convex sides appears to float above the ...
Chrome
1970's Paul Evans Cityscape Floor Lamp Light Brass Chrome Gold Silver Colour
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Milano, IT
Cityscape floor lamp, model no. PE-4010, from the PE200 series, circa 1975. American furniture designer, sculptor, and artist, Paul Evans is one of the most recognizable and versati...
Brass, Steel, Chrome
Pair of Mid-Century Lounge Chairs by Paul McCobb for Directional, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Very comfortable and attractive pair of lounge chairs from the 1950s by Paul McCobb. The armchairs are newly upholstered and covered with a high-quality, off-white wool fabric. Mode...
Wool, Wood