Directional Living Room Sets
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
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Living Room Sets
Materials
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
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Previously Available Items
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...
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'Cloud' Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional w Lucite Leg, 1980s, Signed
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
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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.
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Pair of Vladimir Kagan for Directional 'Cloud' Sofas w Lucite Pane, 1980s Signed
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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...
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H 29 in W 97 in D 48 in
Pair of Arc Stools 'can also be used as a Bench' by Kipp Stewart for Directional
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
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...
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Vladimir Kagan Cloud Sofas, Pair of Newly Upholstered in Purple/Plum Ultrasuede
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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...
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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...
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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...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Living Room Sets
Directional living room sets for sale on 1stDibs.
Directional living room sets 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 living room sets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original living room sets 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 living room sets by Knoll, Vladimir Kagan, and Herman Miller. Prices for Directional living room sets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $10,200 and can go as high as $46,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $22,500.
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Questions About Directional Living Room Sets
- 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.