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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
Dealer: Venfield
Vladimir Kagan Style Pair of Serpentine Sofas with Chrome Feet
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in New York, NY
Iconic, curved pair of "Serpentine" style sofas in the manner of Vladimir Kagan by Directional Furniture. This distinct pair consists of a left and right arm sofa...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Directional Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Paul Evans "PE 400" Cityscape Dining Table, 1970s
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in New York, NY
Iconic tesselated polshed chrome and olive burl, PE 400 dining table by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture. American 1970's Dimensions (with glass) Width: 96 inches Dep...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Chrome

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Vladimir Kagan, sofa model ‘Serpentine’ with ottoman, off-white alcantara upholstery, chrome-plated metal, United States, design 1950s. This sofa is designed by Vladimir Kagan (19...
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Midcentury Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa for Directional, Lucite, Bouclé
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Exceptional Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Large Sectional Sofa Rust Boucle
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Vintage Chrome "Cityscape" Dining Table by Paul Evans for Directional
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Exceptional vintage “Cityscape” dining table designed by Paul Evans for Directional in the United States, circa 1970s. This dining table belongs ...
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Paul Evans Rare Sculptured Metal Dining Table 1970s (signed)
By Paul Evans
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Rare Sculptured Metal Dining Table in bronzed resin with glass top by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture, American 1970 (signed "PE 70”). This series is very rare and this particul...
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Paul Evans Sculptured Metal Dining Table, 1969
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in New York, NY
Sculptured metal dining table model no. PE 102 in bronze composite with thick glass top by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture, American 1969. Signed and dated “P.E. 69” near the bo...
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Paul Evans Slate Top Patinated Copper Patchwork Cafe Breakfast Table, 1970s
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An incredible 1970s Paul Evans for Directional patchwork dining / game table with an inset top of thick, natural cleft slate and panels of patinated copper, brass and pewter. The dining table versions of this design are much more rare than the coffee table counterpart. The size makes it perfect as a center table, a game table, a cafe / breakfast table, a break table, a meeting table for small teams, or a small dining table. This table is dining table height so it works great with dining chairs as one can fit on each side. Would work great in a 1970s styled room or could also work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Regency, Contemporary, Classical, Traditional, Transitional and more. Consider for residential or commercial use... this table would be amazing in a hotel lobby lounge or restaurant, also consider in a creative or design studio, an executive office, retail boutique, or corporate lobby. Consider pairing with our other Paul Evans copper patchwork...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture

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Directional furniture for sale on 1stDibs

Directional furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are frequently made of metal and designed with extraordinary care. There are many choices in our directional furniture collection, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 244 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 0 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Directional were created in North America during the 20th century in the Mid-Century Modern style. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Warren Platner, Charles Eames and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Pricing for direction furniture can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. Price for these items starts at $740 and tops out at $90,000, while pieces like these can sell for $7,867 on average.
Questions About Directional Furniture
  • 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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