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.
Vintage 'Waterfall' Bench by Directional
By Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Sculptural and modern 1980's Directional waterfall bench in the style of Milo Baughman or Karl Springer. This on-trend bench exudes elegance and will turn heads. Wonderful scroll sha...
Velvet, Wood
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
Pair of Paul McCobb for Directional Mid-Century Modern Brass X-Base Benches
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Hamburg, PA
A sleek, elegant, and highly sought-after pair of Mid-Century Modern benches (or stools) designed by Paul McCobb for Directional in the 1950s. The design is characterized by McCobb's...
Brass
$4,851Sale Price|50% Off
H 31.5 in W 81 in D 30 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Off-White Velvet Sofa, 1950s
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Miami, FL
Reupholstered Mid-Century Modern model 1307 light cream velvet sofa by Paul McCobb for Directional. The couch has been recovered in a gorgeous neutra...
Velvet, Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Leather Top Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern style tufted leather top bench. This boxed cushion benchtop is crafted in top grain leather in rich brown color with button...
Leather
$2,995 / set
H 35.75 in W 23 in D 24 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid-Century Modern Walnut Cane Back Armchairs, Pair
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern club chairs or dining armchairs By Paul McCobb for Directional USA, 1950s Sculpted walnut frames, with caned backs and vinyl upholstered seat...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
1980s Waterfall Bench in Champagne Cut Mohair
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 1980s waterfall bench, newly reupholstered in champagne cut mohair. The elongated seat curves downward at both ends to form broad upholstered supports, creating a continuous ...
Mohair
Rare Mid-Century Paul McCobb #1584 Coffee Table Bench All Black
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1584 - 60 inch coffee table bench all original black Lacquer finish, Minimalist Iron structure with 2 drawers...
Iron
$6,495 / set
H 36 in W 23 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century Walnut and Cane Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century walnut and cane dining chairs - set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 16.5 wide x 16.5 deep x 34.5 high, with a seat height of 17.25 inches...
Cane, Walnut
$4,607 / item
H 17.72 in W 63 in D 15.75 in
Contemporary Modern 111 Bench in Brown Oak Wood by Collector Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Contemporary Modern 111 Bench in Brown Oak Wood by Federico Perry for Collector Studio. DIMENSIONS W 160cm 63″ D 40cm 16″ H 45cm 17.7″ PRODUCT FEATURES Structure in Oak wood. Up...
Oak, Walnut
$1,761Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 18.9 in W 21.66 in D 16.54 in
Modern white lamb fur hammered brass Tree Branches bench by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The tree branches bench is entirely handcrafted in brass with a hammered technique similar to the irregular details of real branches. The top in M...
Brass
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 24 in D 33.5 in
Paul McCobb Dining Chairs for Directional Set of Six
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Dining Chairs for Directional Set of Six, Four model-1080 Armless and Two model-1082 Arm Chairs, Solid Mahogany wood with Bow-Tie Backs, upholstered seats. Table and Cabi...
Mahogany
Paul McCobb for Directional #1322 Upholstered Black Rim Lounge Chair
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Paul McCobb for Directional Furniture 1322 lounge chair, loose seat cushion. Circa 1950s. Featuring a Black ebonized Walnut frame, tapered legs and comfortable curved and cushioned b...
Fabric, Walnut
Paul McCobb X-Base Stool for Calvin, Brass & Upholstery, Mid-Century
By Paul McCobb
Located in Greenwich, CT
Paul McCobb Classic X-base Stool for Calvin circa 1960’s Dimensions: 20 "W x 20 "D x 16 ½ "H. Timeless Mid-Century Design + elegant proportions and a unique period upholstery fo...
Brass
$1,761Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 18.9 in W 21.66 in D 16.54 in
Modern white lamb fur hammered bronzed brass Tree Branches bench by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The tree branches bench is entirely handcrafted in brass with a hammered technique similar to the irregular details of real branches. The top in Mongolia...
Brass, Metal
Sleek Modern Bench in the style of Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in North York, ON
This sleek modern bench, crafted in the style of iconic mid-century designer Paul McCobb, embodies the refined simplicity and clean lines of 1970’s American design. Its minimalist po...
Metal
Monumental Karl Springer Style Waterfall Bench or Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
20th century Mid-Century Modern monumental waterfall bench seat, coffee cocktail table, or console table. Made in the style and manner of iconic designer Karl Springer (German-Americ...
Brass
$8,500
H 32 in W 76.5 in D 32 in
Rare Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb for Directional Sculptural Cubist Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare Paul McCobb for Directional sculptural cubist sofa or settee. Legs have been refinished, older reupholstery and foam must be updated. Great sleek geom...
Upholstery
Directional Chenille Curved Waterfall Bench
By Directional
Located in Westfield, NJ
Vintage circa 1970s Directional curved waterfall bench covered in the original peach pink chenille fabric. Bench was located in guest room of es...
Fabric, Chenille
Upholstered Bench by Directional
By Directional
Located in New York, NY
Upholstered bench by Directional. The bench has an off-white upholstery with a loose cushioned seat.
Upholstery
Vintage "Waterfall" Bench by Directional
By Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Sculptural and modern 1980's Directional waterfall bench in the style of Milo Baughman or Karl Springer. This on-trend bench exudes elegance and ...
Velvet
Bench by Directional, 1970
By Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Bench by Directional, 1970. Restored and reupholstered.
Upholstery
White Boucle Bench by Directional, 1970
By Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
White Boucle Bench by Directional, circa 1970. Fully restored with new foam and performance blend Italian wool/poly boucle.
Bouclé
Pair of Waterfall Benches in Ivory Bouclé by Directional, circa 1970s
By Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sculptural and modern 1970s Directional waterfall benches professionally reupholstered in soft ivory bouclé fabric and photographed with a pair o...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Pair of Waterfall Benches in Ivory Bouclé by Directional, circa 1970s
By Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sculptural and modern 1970s Directional waterfall benches professionally reupholstered in soft ivory bouclé fabric and photographed with a pair o...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Paul Evans Bench, Sculpted Bronze, Signed
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Paul Evans bench, sculpted bronze, signed. Large chunky Sculpted Bronze series bench made for Directional Furniture - (Evans Studio Catalogue #: PE -1...
Bronze
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Style Ottoman 1985 by Directional
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Hamburg, PA
A pair of upholstered benches made by Directional in the style of Vladimir Kagan. They are structurally very sturdy. The original upholstery has several minor spots, there is one hol...
Upholstery
1977 Paul Evans for Directional Cityscape Brass Benches, Pair
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Paul Evans for Directional Furniture Cityscape benches. Polished brass patchwork design. Newly upholstered in navy velvet. Benches retain original Paul Evans labels, circa 19...
Brass
Sold
H 16 in W 20 in D 20 in
Set of Three Paul McCobb for Directional Model 1306 Brass Ottomans, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Set of 3 Paul McCobb for Directional Brass Cross Frame Occasional Stools, 1956 designed. Featuring classic Brass square seat, X base and tubular legs. Original condition with old Bro...
Brass