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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
Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze PE 128 "Stalagmite" Coffee Table 1971 (Signed)
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in New York, NY
The work of Paul Evans is characterized by its seamless joining of art with functionality, the designers craftsmanship and his bold aesthetic. No where is this more evident than in t...
Category

1970s North American Brutalist Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Sheet Metal

Paul Evans PE400 Faceted Dining Table in Walnut Burl & Chrome Plated Steel 1970s
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
The Cityscape collection designed by Paul Evans was produced by Directional Furniture from 1970 until 1981. The collection drew inspiration from urban environments and architectural ...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Paul Evans Welded Steel & Glass Crescent Base Dining Table 1970 (Signed)
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in New York, NY
Pair of brutalist welded steel crescent shaped table bases decorated with colored enamel paint and gilt accents by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture. Bases support a thick glass t...
Category

1970s American Brutalist Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Steel

Serpentine Style Sofa with Chrome Feet by Directional Furniture
By Directional
Located in New York, NY
Iconic, curved "Serpentine" style sofa by Directional Furniture. This left arm facing sofa with polished chrome feet, has been reupholstered by Venfield in a white Holly Hunt, indoo...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Directional Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Related Items
Milo Baughman Style Directional Mid Century Sofa
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Countryside, IL
Milo Baughman Style Directional Mid Century Sofa This sofa measures: 91.5 wide x 34 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 15.5 and arm height of 26 inches All pieces of furn...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Paul Evans Cityscape Coffee Table Signed
By Paul Evans
Located in Sayreville, NJ
Signed Paul Evans Cityscape Series Patchwork Brass and chrome coffee table. Renowned designer piece in great original condition. Only minor flaws ( see pics ) 48” x 48” x 15”
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Glass, Plywood

Paul Evans Cityscape Long Dining Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans for directional "Cityscape", 84" Parsons style dining table. All chromed metal over wood with additional pair of leaves. Possible length of 114" with both 15" leaves.
Category

1970s American Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Paul Evans, "Cityscape" Dining Table, Mirror, Wood, Directional, USA, c. 1970
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and mirror "Cityscape" dining table designed by Paul Evans and produced by Directional, circa 1970.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Vladimir Kagan for Directional Curved Post Modern Sofa
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning near mint condition 1980's Vladimir Kagan Biomorphic Kidney Bean sofa for Directional. Comes in it's original upholstery, purchased from the ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Bentwood

Mid-Century Post Modern Curved L Shaped Cloud Sectional Sofa by Directional
By Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek & stunning L shaped sectional sofa with incredible design lines. This well built sofa is by Directional furniture, circa 1980s. It features the original fabric in a 3 separat...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Paul Evans Rare Oversize Sculpted Bronze Coffee Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Highland, IN
This exceptional coffee table by Paul Evans was a custom order and is the largest we've ever seen of his sculpted bronze series. The architectural base, an arrangement of heavily tex...
Category

1970s American Brutalist Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Composition, Bronze

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chino Hills, CA
For sale is an exquisite vintage modern serpentine sofa, a stunning piece designed by the renowned Vladimir Kagan for Directional in the 1990s. This sofa features a captivating swirl...
Category

1990s American Modern Directional Furniture

Materials

Fabric

1980s Kagan Style Biomorphic Form Sofa by Directional Furniture
By Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
An American made 1980’s classic Vladimir Kagan biomorphic kidney shaped sofa made by Directional Furniture. Kidney shaped couches have long b...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Paul Evans Bronze Stalagmite Coffee Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Hudson, NY
A sculpted bronze and glass “Stalagmite” coffee table, the thick round glass top sits on top of a bronze base, decorated with thick impasto like application of bronze over an iron fr...
Category

1970s American Brutalist Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Paul Evans Signed & Dated Rectangular Sculpted Bronze and Glass Cocktail Table
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful and iconic Brutalist sculpted bronze "Stalagmite" was realized by the fabled designed Paul Evans in in 1970. It features a welded sculptural and heavily textured bronz...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Paul Evans for Directional Brutalist Glass and Resin Coffee Table signed PE70
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Brutalist coffee table designed by Paul Evans for Directional, signed PE 70 ( model 132 ). The table features a zig zag form base constructed of tinted sculpted resin ov...
Category

1970s American Brutalist Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Glass, Epoxy Resin

Previously Available Items
Paul Evans Rare Welded Steel PE-46 Lamp Table 1960s
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Whether arranging metal pieces to create panels of intricate metal relief for his Sculpture Front series, fusing together a collage of steel sheets to form his Welded Steel collectio...
Category

1960s American Vintage Directional Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Steel

Paul Evans PE 102 Sculpted Bronze Dining Table 1973 (Signed)
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Hand crafted epoxy and atomized bronze applied over steel, dining table base with thick glass top. This iconic table combining traditional craft with experimental materials is signed...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Directional Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Paul Evans "PE 400" Cityscape Dining Table, 1970s
By Directional, Paul Evans
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

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.
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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