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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Period: 1960s
Creator: Directional
Mid Century Kipp Stewart “Arc Lounge Chairs” for Directional
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Baltimore, MD
A stunning pair of mid-century modern 1960s “Arc” lounge chairs designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional furniture. An exceptional pair, both for their form and quality. The pair emb...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Directional Console attributed to Milo Baughman
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Directional Walnut and Glass Console or Entrance Table attributed to Milo Baughman or Paul McCobb. Probably originally had a stone or white glass top. Retains Directional label tha...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Hanging Two Drawer Cabinet by Milo Baughman for Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Oakland, CA
Hanging cabinet attributed to Milo Baughman for Directional furniture, Crafted out of Philippine Mahogany with a dark rosewood finish. The cabinet has two drawers with brass pulls an...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Brass
Modernist Walnut Bar Cart / Cabinet on Casters by Milo Baughman
By Directional, Milo Baughman
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,...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Milo Baughman Dining Table for Directional Gallery 1
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your location.
Dining table designed by Milo Baughman for Directional.
Rosewood, Walnut, Black Lacquer over wood.
38-58-78
Category
1960s American Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut, Lacquer
Mid Century Sideboard Credenza by Milo Baughman for Directional. Circa 1960s
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Miami, FL
Mid Century Sideboard Credenza by Milo Baughman for Directional. Circa 1960s
Features a sleek Mid Century Modern Design with a beautiful walnut woodgrain, two trifold doors with flat...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Set of 4 Norman Cherner Directional Side Chairs Plycraft
By Norman Cherner, Directional, Plycraft
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for accurate shipping to your location.
Set of 4 Norman Cherner side chairs.
Walnut veneer on chrome bases.
These chairs have rare Directional labels.
...
Category
1960s Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Mid Century Modern 8 Drawer Dresser By Directional Custom Collection
By Directional
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful vintage Mid Century Modern 8 drawer dresser by Directional custom furniture, tagged. Style of Paul McCobb. Original vintage wood finish. Has some minor scuffs, impressions ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Wood
Milo Baughman Multi-Wood Extendable Dining Table for Directional
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions
29in H x 72in - 108in W x 39in D
2x Leaves - 18in each
________________________________________________________
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is l...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Wood, Oak, Rosewood, Walnut
Directional Mid-Century Modern Cherry and Burl Wood Dining Table, Refinished
By Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension dining table
By Directional
USA, Circa 1960s
Gorgeous figural cherry wood, with burl wood banding.
Measures: 72"W x 44.25"D x 28.75"H....
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Burl
Milo Baughman for Directional Credenza
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Culver City, CA
A wonderful cabinet / credenza designed by Milo Baughman for Directional Furniture. This low walnut credenza has bifold doors and sits on an eboniz...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mixed-Woods "Gallery One" Dining Table by Milo Baughman for Directional
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mixed-woods dining table designed by Milo Baughman for Directional's "Gallery One" line (ca. 1961, USA). Composed of alternating banding of walnut, rosewoo...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
Kipp Stewart for Directional Lounge Chairs in Jack Lenor Larsen Velvet
By Edward Wormley, Kipp Stewart, Harvey Probber, Directional, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Decatur, GA
Exceptional and rare pair of barrel back lounge chairs by Kipp Stewart for Directional with all original Jack Lenor Larsen velvet. Solid dark mahogany bases with brass casters. An el...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Midcentury Walnut King Headboard by Milo Baughman for Directional
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Dorchester, MA
Milo Baughman designed by this mid-century headboard for the Directional Furniture Company. Crafted of .75 inch-thick walnut, attached to sturdy ebonized legs, it fits a king-size be...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Exceptional Large Signed Paul Evans 1969 Directional Sclupted Bronze Wall Unit
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Paul Evans in the 1960s for the prestigious manufacturer Directional, this incredible piece is very likely one of a kind. While others exist, none have as many bays (4) o...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Walnut Highboy Cabinet by Milo Baughman for Directional
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Milo Baughman for the Directional Furniture Company, this handsome walnut mid-century cabinet would work as well for an office as for a bedroom.
The lower case has tw...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Metal
Paul McCobb Tuxedo Sofa in White Boucle, Directional, 1960's
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Culver City, CA
This sofa is mid-century design at its finest. Designed by Paul McCobb for famed modernism manufacturer Directional Furniture, this tuxedo sofa is timelessly chic. Upholstered in a fine Belgian boucle...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Bouclé
Kipp Stewart Midcentury Walnut Dining Table
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Atlanta, GA
Outstanding midcentury walnut dining table, designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional, American, circa 1960s. Beautiful grained walnut throughout. It expands from a compact ovaled squ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Metal
Milo Baughman for Directional Black Lacquered Large Bedside Chests or End Tables
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern large nightstands or side tables
By Milo Baughman for Directional
USA, 1960s
Black lacquered walnut, with brass finished accents an...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Lacquer
Milo Baughman for Directional Cherry and Brass Double Dresser, Newly Refinished
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern double dresser or credenza.
By Milo Baughman for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture.
USA, 1960s
Gorgeous book-matched che...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul Evans Patchwork Copper 106" Extendable Dining Table for Directional, c 1967
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning and very rare copper clad extendable dining table by Paul Evans for Directional, produced circa 1967. This incredible piece of design history is fabricated from patinated pieces of copper, brass, and pewter formed in a patchwork pattern. Perfect statement piece for a discerning collector, design connoisseur or luxury interior designer.
Hefty and sturdy construction in this extendable Parsons table which can be transformed from 66" up to a large 106" with the two matching leaves, allowing seating for up to 10 to 12 people. Or consider using as a heavy duty desk / work table. The fusion of these mixed metals of copper, brass and pewter formulates an exemplary piece which would be a welcomed statement to any connoisseur's collection.
We have the matching cafe / game table and floating wall console...
Category
1960s American Brutalist Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper, Pewter
Milo Baughman for Directional Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Refinished
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension dining table
By Milo Baughman
USA, 1960s
Walnut, with ebonized trim and legs.
Measures: 38"W x 38"D x 29"H. Extends up to 98"W...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Paul Evans PE-20 Cube Side Tables, Inset Slate, Oxidized Steel, Bronze, Signed
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in New York, NY
Paul Evans PE-20 cube side tables, inset slate, oxidized steel, bronze, signed. Pair of polychromed Paul Evans PE-20 cube tables with inset slate tops, in oxidized steel and bronze, ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze, Steel
Paul Evans for Directional Set of Eight Dining Chairs
By Directional, Paul Evans
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...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Midcentury Expandable Milo Baughman Dining Table for Directional
By Directional
Located in Baltimore, MD
An exceptional Milo Baughman Parsons dining table circa 1960s, by Directional Furniture. This extraordinary table features a striped...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Teak, Walnut, Lacquer
Milo Baughman Dining Table by Directional
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Highland, IN
This classic mid-century dining table designed by Milo Baughman for Directional takes a simple, rectilinear form and dresses it up with bands of mixed wood veneers. The 72" long tabl...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze Throne Chair, Signed and Dated, 1969
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Culver City, CA
One of the most recognizable and important names in the American studio craft movement of the 1960's and 70's, Paul Evans was a groundbreaking pioneer in brutalism. Collaborating as well as sharing a showroom with Phillip Lloyd Powell until 1964 when Evans met the owner of Directional Furniture and created a line of 6 coffee tables to go into the Directional High Point, NC booth for the spring Market. As the story has been recounted by Dorsey Reading, the tables never even made it to the showroom floor. Evans soon found out the tables never even had the opportunity to be sold; obviously disappointed, owner of Directional, BG agreed to put the tables out on the showroom floor in New York City to placate Paul Evans. What happened can probably best be compared today with "going viral."
The coffee tables started flying off the floor, and the orders came rolling in. This fervor led to Evans creating eventually over 800 designs with Directional-- with the very first series being the "Sculptured Metal" Collection which was publicized in 1968.
This piece specifically is a throne chair that also swivels. Upholstered in black leather, this throne chair is a wonderful example of Paul Evans Sculpted bronze technique, which involves hand sculpting using an epoxy resin and coating in an atomized cold cast bronze. This piece is signed and dated "PE 69" making it an early example of his goopy cast bronze series and line of furniture for Directional.
It's extremely important to note: Directional Furniture showrooms in New York City and Chicago were private to-the-trade only showrooms, so only interior designers and their clients were able to custom order these pieces through the showroom. There was never any "inventory" of furniture. Each and every piece was a custom, hand crafted work of art, created to order. No two of any piece were ever alike.
Evans eventually went on to employ a team of nearly 90 people, working two shifts-- helping to hand-craft his designs. This could easily explain why not every piece is hand signed, therefore making an early, had-signed pieces like this even more desirable for a collector.
This piece has a wonderful patina, with vibrant colors and while still brutalist in nature, it's a bit more subdued and could effortlessly be blended into any contemporary environment. We currently have this piece in the gallery paired with a Vladimir Kagan serpentine cloud sofa, and a Karl Springer goatskin...
Category
1960s American Brutalist Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern Paul Evans Credenza for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern cabinet features the iconic patchwork design by Paul Evans. The cityscape burl wood and chrome design is sure to co...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Milo Baughman for Directional Walnut Boat-Shaped Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern boat-shaped extension dining table
By Milo Baughman for Directional
USA, 1960s
Gorgeous book-matched walnut, with ebonized legs.
Measure...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Paul Evans Cityscape Patchwork Burlwood Credenza
By Directional, Milo Baughman, Paul Evans
Located in Houston, TX
Paul Evans Cityscape patchwork burlwood credenza. This stunning long mid-century Paul Evans for Directional credenza or chest is comprised of cabine...
Category
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa Blue Microfiber by Directional Furniture
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Miami, FL
Original Vintage Vladimir Kagan Cloud Serpentine sofa in blue microfiber by Directional Furniture Company.
Original label underneath, Directional, Made in USA.
Note: The sofa needs n...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Lucite, Wood, Ultrasuede
Paul Evans Cityscape Bar Cart Pe 200 Series for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful signed Mid-Century Modern bar cabinet by Paul Evans for Directional. A wonderful patchwork design with a flip top and two cabinet doors below. Sleek case piece that looks g...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bar Cart / Cabinet on Casters by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, 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,...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Dining Table by Paul Evans for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning vintage dining table by Paul Evans for Directional. Beautiful patchwork burl wood design that sits on a pedestal base with chrom...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Milo Baughman Dining Table for Directional
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Milo Baughman Dining Table for Directional, Striped multi-wood table top: rosewood, walnut, and ash. Two additional matching leaves.
The Table extends from 72" to 108" fully extended...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut, Ash
Walnut Tabletop Vanity Mirror by Kipp Stewart for Directional
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Dorchester, MA
Kipp Stewart designed this rare tabletop vanity for Calvin Furniture's Directional line. A swiveling mirror hangs within a walnut frame above a single ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Brass
Elegant Restored Pair of Walnut Cane Chairs by Kipp Stewart for Directional
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. Expert custom...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Cane, Walnut
Paul Evans Argente Cube Table Model PE37
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Culver City, CA
Looking for the ultimate flex in furniture? Paul Evans Studio pieces are just that. The Argente line is highly collectable, as each piece is one-of-a-kind, individually crafted by hand in Paul Evans Studio.This Paul Evans cube table is a stunning example of Brutalist design and features enameled/inked and welded aluminum with a slate top.
This Paul Evans Argente side table while brutalist, is surprisingly versatile. We currently have it paired in the gallery between a pair of vintage Barcelona chairs across from a Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa and it looks incredible. In the photos, we've added a photo for scale as well as to show versatility-- of the table in our booth at the 2020 Palm Springs Modernism Show. The table, featured lofted in the middle of the booth between 2 Torbjorn Afdal butterfly chairs...
Category
1960s American Brutalist Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Metal
Milo Baughman Dining Table for Directional, 1960s
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Hamburg, PA
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern dining table designed by Milo Baughman for Directional. The table is made of gorgeous teak, rosewood, and walnut, has two leaves, and opens up to 112 i...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Rosewood, Teak, Walnut
Paul McCobb Lounge Chair Model 302 and Matching Ottoman by Directional
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1960s
Paul McCobb Lounge Chair Model 302 and ottoman by Directional. Chair is a nice, larger scale and clean lined though with nice detail. The back is rounded and the legs are tapered and long. The ottoman is full sized. Chair was reupholstered at some...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Linen, Hardwood
Paul Evans for Directional "Sculpted Metal Collection" Bronze Resin Coffee Table
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Brutalist Paul Evans Sculpted Metal Collection PE-101 Bronze Resin Coffee Table, circa 1970. Produced exclusively for Directional. Cylindrica...
Category
1960s American Brutalist Vintage Directional Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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.