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.
20th Century, American Nautilus Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage single Mid-Century Modern American Nautilus lounge chair with a sculptural, half round moon shape ottoman, designed by Vladimir Kagan a...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
$9,975 / set
H 28 in W 35.5 in D 37.5 in
Pair of Powder Blue Mohair Velvet Swiveling "Nautilus" Chairs by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in New York, NY
This pair of swiveling "Nautilus" chairs by Vladimir Kagan, crafted in America circa 1970, is a quintessential example of Kagan’s visionary design. Renowned for his sculptural approa...
Mohair, Velvet
Vladimir Kagan for Directional "Hurricane" Lounge Chair
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vladimir Kagan for Directional "Hurricane" Lounge Chair. Outlandish and crazy! This one makes a statement! In it's original fleshy pink Boucle Fabric!
Upholstery
$12,000 / set
H 29 in W 36 in D 33 in
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Swivel Lounge Chairs and Ottoman in Ivory Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Amongst the most popular Vladimir Kagan designs, these Nautilus swivel lounge chairs are sculptural, comfortable and fun, and were recently professionally reupholstered in cozy Ivory Boucle. Corkscrew shape with sloped back and scrolled arm. The Nautilus chairs swivel making them a good choice for open floor plans - you may align your sight with any person or object in the room simply with a gentle swivel. Matching contoured Ottoman is on casters and seamlessly rolls into place like a puzzle piece inviting you to relax and put your feet up with a good book or a glass of your favorite vino. Fabric is highly durable; it's texture provides for ventilation to keep warm in winter and cool in summer. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Nautilus Swivel Chairs: 36” W x 33” D x 29” H (Seat Height 17”) Ottoman: 33” W x 21” D x 17” H Photographed along with and also currently available in our shop: Post Modern Karl Springer Style ottoman...
Bouclé
$25,995 / set
H 34.5 in W 31 in D 38 in
Vladimir Kagan for Dreyfuss Mid Century Highback Barrel Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Vladimir Kagan for Dreyfuss Mid Century Highback Barrel Lounge Chair with Ottoman The chair measures: 31 wide x 38 deep x 34.5 high, with a seat height of 16.5 inches and arm height...
Upholstery
Midcentury Scoop Slipper Chair and Ottoman by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Beautiful slipper chair and RARELY seen, scaled ottoman by Vladimir Kagan in the 1970s. A stunnimg beautiful duet. Love the scoop design. The pair has been reupholstered in a beaut...
Fabric
$12,000 / set
H 29 in W 36 in D 33 in
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Swivel Lounge Chairs and Ottoman in Ivory Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Amongst the most popular Vladimir Kagan designs, these Nautilus swivel lounge chairs are sculptural, comfortable and fun, and were recently professionally reupholstered in cozy Ivory...
Bouclé
$9,975 / set
H 28 in W 35.5 in D 37.5 in
Pair of Swiveling "Nautilus" Chairs by Vladimir Kagan in Luxe Camel Mohair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in New York, NY
This pair of swiveling "Nautilus" chairs by the iconic designer Vladimir Kagan exemplifies his groundbreaking approach to modern furniture design. Inspired by the organic and fluid f...
Mohair
Vladimir Kagan Early Barrel Lounge Chair, 1950s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Coronado, CA
An early "Barrel Lounge Chair" designed by Vladimir Kagan in 1947, with this example dating to the early to mid 1950s. The chair has been fully restored inside and out, and features ...
Brass
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Tan Leather Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of nicely "broken in" tan leather upholstery swivel chairs by Vladimir Kagan.
Leather
$35,000
H 38.25 in W 33.25 in D 38.5 in
Vladimir Kagan, Rare Lounge Chair, Walnut, White Fabric, Kagan Designs C. 1950
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A rare lounge lounge chair designed by Vladimir Kagan for his own firm Vladimir Kagans Design. Designed c. 1950s, this example produced c. 1970. Features finely carved walnut, reuph...
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
$37,000
H 36 in W 27 in D 40 in
Vladimir Kagan, Lounge Chair, Walnut, White Bouclé, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc, c. 1950
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in High Point, NC
An early production adjustable lounge with retractable footrest. Designed by Vladimir Kagan for his own firm Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc, c. 1950. Branded. Features finely carved walnut, re...
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
Pair Of Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Chairs And Ottomans
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Chairs And Ottomans. Offered is an iconic opposing pair of mid-century modern swivel lounge nautilus chairs and ma...
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 29 in W 94 in D 48 in
Vladimir Kagan for Directional 'Cloud' Sofas in New Nubby Bouclé, c 1980, Signed
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This spectacular pair of Vladimir Kagan 'Cloud' sofas were produced by Directional in circa 1980 and were newly reupholstered in a gorgeous nubby bouclé fabric, both sofas signed underneath with Directional labels and have lucite center support legs. The color of the bouclé is a very light oatmeal color - close to ivory and off-white. In brighter light settings it appears to be white but in darker or regular room settings you can see the slight tan color it possesses. We've searched for years for the best bouclé fabric and this one is quite exquisite, with bigger and softer pile and thicker backing than all the others we have found. *NOTE, the Philip & Kelvin LaVerne 'Chan' cocktail table shown in the photos is not priced in this set however is available for purchase in another listing. In addition, we have a matching ottoman on casters, three 'Corkscrew' swivel club chairs and other configurations of the 'Cloud' sofas, contact with questions and for more details. Kagan, inspired by his early 1950s Kagan-Dreyfuss 'Serpentine' sofa and his later 'Shorty' sofa, designed his popular and classic always-in-demand 'Cloud' sofa for Directional Furniture with all of its sensuous Post-Modern curves and signature lucite bar fitted between two cylindrical bases. This pair of sofas feature the pouf / ottoman on the right side (if you are sitting on the sofas) which allow you to face the sofas towards each other in a Yin / Yang formation. Also both sofas are the style with the more in-demand 'center back' vs the style which has the 'wrap around arm'. This particular style is more rare and desirable so having both sofas with this style is difficult to achieve as they are harder to find. If you need a different configuration contact us as we have other Cloud sofas in stock that are ready to be reupholstered. Collectors and designers, it's hard to find a matching pair together - here's your opportunity, but hurry - these matched pairs sell fast as they are a staple for interior designers looking to create a magazine cover interior. *This listing is priced for the pair of sofas, if you wish to only purchase a single see our other listings for these sofas individually priced or contact us. These Vladimir Kagan cloud sofas are so popular today with interior designers and collectors - the demand for Kagan's designs keep growing year after year. There is something timeless about the shape and silhouette of this couch and the comfort level is through the roof. Combine this was the on-trend off-white / oatmeal boucle fabric - and this sofa is a recipe for exquisiteness. These Vladimir Kagan for Directional curved...
Bouclé, Lucite
Sold
H 29 in W 97 in D 48 in
'Cloud' Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional w Lucite Leg, 1980s, Signed
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mesmerizing Vladimir Kagan 'Cloud' sofa was produced by Directional in circa 1980 and is in its original soft lavender colored Alcantara fabric with lucite center leg, signed underneath with Directional label. Such on-trend color, just imagine it now in your room with the cocktail table you've been eyeing. Kagan, inspired by his early 1950s Kagan-Dreyfuss 'Serpentine' sofa and his later 'Shorty...
Ultrasuede, Lucite
Sold
H 29 in W 97 in D 48 in
Pair of Vladimir Kagan for Directional 'Cloud' Sofas w Lucite Pane, 1980s Signed
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mesmerizing pair of Vladimir Kagan 'Cloud' sofas were produced by Directional in circa 1980 and in their original soft cream-colored Alcantara fabric with lucite center legs, both sofas signed underneath with Directional labels. Collectors and designers, it's hard to find a matching pair together, especially both signed underneath with Directional labels. Here's your opportunity, but hurry - these matched pairs sell fast as they are a staple for interior designers looking to create a magazine cover interior. Kagan, inspired by his early 1950s Kagan-Dreyfuss 'Serpentine' sofa and his later 'Shorty' sofa, designed his popular and classic always-in-demand 'Cloud' sofa for Directional Furniture with all of its sensuous Post-Modern curves and signature lucite bar fitted between two cylindrical bases. Each sofa has a different back style, one which wraps around one side and the other centralized. Having both styles together in the same room was the signature look that Kagan made popular - a beautiful way to creatively signify how two separate individuals, while different, can live harmoniously together. You can have the sofas face each other or place them side by side as you can see in the photos. *This listing is priced for the pair of sofas, if you wish to only purchase a single contact us for details. These Vladimir Kagan cloud sofas are so popular today with interior designers and collectors - the demand for Kagan's designs keep growing year after year. There is something timeless about the shape and silhouette of this couch and the comfort level is through the roof. Combine this was the on-trend white boucle fabric - and this sofa is a recipe for exquisiteness. These Vladimir Kagan for Directional curved...
Lucite, Ultrasuede
Sold
H 18.12 in W 28.35 in D 20.87 in
Pair of Arc Stools 'can also be used as a Bench' by Kipp Stewart for Directional
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of "Arc" stools (which can be also used as a bench) - designed by Kipp Stewart in 1960s and manufactured by Directional in US. Polished stainless steel and newly upholstered wi...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 28 in W 90 in D 45 in
Vladimir Kagan Cloud Sofas, Pair of Newly Upholstered in Purple/Plum Ultrasuede
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Kansas City, MO
Complimenting pair of Vladimir Kagan cloud sofas. Each an iconic design. Manufactured by Directional and we have the original Directional labels that the original owners kept when th...
Upholstery, Lucite
Sold
H 28 in W 92 in D 47 in
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa and Ottoman Upholstered in Edelman Leather
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning serpentine sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and manufactured by Directional Inc. The sofa and ottoman are upholstered in beautiful sage Eldeman leather and it is very smooth...
Leather
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa for Directional
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa designed in the 1970's and manufactured by Directional. The sofa retains the original label, the sofa is upholstered in a cream color microf...