Directional Furniture
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
Newly Upholstered Wingback Sofa 1307 by Paul McCobb for Directional, US, 1950s
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Paul McCobb sofa model 1307 for Directional features a slight winged back resting on a maple frame that gives the sofa a floating look with loose cushions on seat and back. Newly reu...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Maple
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”
Category
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Paul Evans Ice Bucket, Cityscape, Brass, Chrome, Glass
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in New York, NY
Paul Evans ice bucket, Cityscape brass, chrome, glass. Chunky brass and chrome patchwork ice bucket with hinged lid from Evans' Cityscape series ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Paul McCobb for Directional X-Base Brass and Upholstered Stool or Ottoman, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern stool, bench, or ottoman
By Paul McCobb for Directional
USA, 1950s
Brass legs and stretchers, with original turquoise vinyl upholstery...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Brass
Post Modern Directional Style Swivel Lounge Chair
By Directional
Located in Houston, TX
Post Modern Vladimir Kagan for Directional swivel lounge chair. This unusual iconic Kagan swivel chair has a high b...
Category
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Bouclé
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century Angle Arm Sofa
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century Angle Arm Sofa
This sofa measures:76.5 wide x 33 deep x 33.5 inches high, with a seat height of 16.5 and arm he...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Paul Evans PE-11 Sculptured Metal Cocktail Table for Directional Furniture
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Stamford, CT
The Mid-Century Modern design movement is known for many firsts brought to us by a wave of influential designers. Their work sought out to simplify the cluttered aesthetic they inher...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Custom Vintage "Directional" Co Illuminated Modern Sofas Pr In New Taupe Linen
By Steve Chase, Directional
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Yes… they are amazing. We spent over $4000 on European linen blend fabric and reupholstering these the way they deserved to be. The taupe tanish/silver linen fabric has a high end al...
Category
2010s North American Modern Directional Furniture
Materials
Linen
Directional Red Upholstered 56" Large Modern Charles Bench Seat Ottoman
By Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Directional Red Upholstered 56" Large Modern Charles Bench Seat Ottoman. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 21" H x 56" W x 26" D.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Directional Furniture
Materials
Wood
20th Century American Lucite Four Seater Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern American four seater Serpentine sofa with two pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in good condition. The seat backrest of the...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Lucite
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 ...
Category
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Chrome
1980s Directional Cream Polka Dots Swivel Chairs, Set of 2
By Directional
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, swivel chairs set you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beaut...
Category
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
Category
1970s American Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Steel
Lovely Pair of Directional Croissant Swivel Lounge Chair Mid-Century
By Directional
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of Directional croissant barrel back swivel chairs. This pair will need to be reupholstered as the original fabric is worn and dated. They measure 30"T x 35"W x 36"D with...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Paul McCobb Travertine Consoles and or Sofa Tables
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Travertine Consoles and or Sofa Tables, model 8704 for Directional.
Square tubular brass with 3/4" travertine.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Beige Offwhite Alcantara Suede Corkscrew Nautilus Swivel Chairs Directional Mint
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Beige off white alcantara suede corkscrew nautilus swivel chairs directional mint.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Ultrasuede
Paul Evans for Directional MCM Chrome Cantilever Dining Chairs – Set of 8
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul Evans for Directional Mid Century Chrome Cantilever Dining Chairs – Set of 8
Each chair measures: 19.75 wide x 23 deep x 33.5 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Milo Baughman for Directional MCM Geometric Bronze and Glass Coffee Table
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Countryside, 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...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Paul McCobb for Directional Midcentury Occasional Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional midcentury occasional lounge chairs - pair.
Each chair measures: 24.75 wide x 21 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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.
Category
1980s Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Modern 80s Sculptural Sofa in New Silver Grey Metallic Leopard Jacquard Fabric
By Directional
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We took an amazing 1980s sofa by Directional and found a spectacular metallic silver gray leopard velvet fabric to redo it in. The result is a sp...
Category
1980s North American Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Directional Mid Century Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Directional
Located in Countryside, IL
Directional Mid Century Dining Chairs - Set of 6
Each armless chair measures: 18 wide x 19.25 deep x 44.25 high, with a seat height of 18 inches
Each captains chair measures: 22 wid...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Directional Mid Century Walnut and Chrome Nightstand
By Directional
Located in Countryside, IL
Directional Mid Century Walnut and chrome nightstand
This nightstand measures: 24 wide x 18 deep x 21 inches high
All pieces of furniture can ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCob Walnut Lounge Chair for Directional Mint
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCob Walnut Lounge Chair for Directional Mint!
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Paul McCobb for Directional Striped Fabric and Walnut Lounge Armchair
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century lounge / armchair with a walnut frame with a scooped back rail and multi-colored geometric patterned and striped fabric upholstery, resting on four tapered dowel...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
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...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Brass
Geometric Bronze Coffee Table by Milo Baughman for Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early 1970s geometric coffee table by Milo Baughman for Directional. Bronze-finished base with original, octagonal glass top, rare in its complete presentation. Dense, glass is 3/4" ...
Category
1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Paul McCobb for Directional Rectangular Black Vinyl and Walnut Ottoman
By Paul McCobb, Directional
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 Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Milo Baughman for Directional Geometric Bronze Glass Coffee Table
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Baltimore, MD
An extraordinary Geometric, glass, midcentury, Bronze-finish base coffee table by Milo Baughman for Directional, circa 1970s. Features original, octagonal, 3/4" thick glass resting o...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Slipper Lounge Chairs by Kipp Stewart for Directional, USA, 1960s
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Slipper Lounge Chairs by Kipp Stewart for Directional, USA, 1960s
Newly upholstered in slate gray / dark indigo cotton fabric wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
American Mid-Century Modern Armchair, Paul McCobb
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Fabulous vintage armchair designed by Paul McCobb. Walnut legs and details. Re upholstery recommended. Please inquire about upholstery options....
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mid-century Brass Swivel Lounge Chairs by Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning vintage brass swivel lounge chairs designed and manufactured by Directional in the United States, circa 1970s. These chairs represent the style of Milo Baughman’s modern and...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Brass
Chrome And Glass Coffee Table By Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Highland, IN
This large scale coffee table by Directional has a very strong architectural quality with a pair of chrome steel bases which support a hexagonal glass top that echos the angular shap...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Directional Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Directional
By Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage pair of lounge chairs by Directional feature a shimmering upholstery with embroidered floral designs throughout. A half-round back and cushioned seat offer a comfortable...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Directional Furniture
Materials
Metal
Directional furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Directional furniture 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 furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Directional were created in the modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Thayer Coggin, Harvey Probber, and Jens Risom. Prices for Directional furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,800 and can go as high as $47,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $17,300.
Creators Similar to Directional
Questions About Directional Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021While 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.