Directional Shelves
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
Paul Evans for Directional 'PE 68' Wall Unit in Bronzed Resin and Glass
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, wall shelves, model 'PE 68', epoxy bronzed resin over wood, glass, United States, 1970s
Grand wall unit by Paul Evans, designed for Directional in the 19...
Category
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Directional Shelves
Materials
Glass, Resin, Wood
Mid Century Paul Evans Cityscape Floating Shelf or Console Table Glass & Brass
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design, a cityscape wall shelf designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features fine heavy construction with brass clad patchwork design. Includes two L shaped wa...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Shelves
Materials
Brass
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Shelves
Materials
Plastic
Mid Century Paul Evans Cityscape Wall Mirror & Console Table Shelf in Brass
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design combination, a cityscape wall shelf and mirror designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features fine heavy construction with brass clad patchwork design. I...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Shelves
Materials
Brass
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Previously Available Items
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'UMBO' Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1972
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare shelving system is the 'UMBO' system designed in the early 1970s by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, and was first published in New York magazine on September 25, 1972. This monumental example in a beautiful brown color with a total of 53 elements, detailed below.
Constructed from Uniroyal ABS, a product which is durable, nontoxic, and more heat-resistant than wood which was also used to make telephones at that time. Was offered in white, tangerine and brown - this set is in the brown color option. The color was sprayed on in the factory and should not chip off under normal use. The modular system allows to create different types of furniture such as console or coffee tables, bench, bookcase, room dividers, sofa tables, cocktail tables, side or end tables, nightstands or bedside tables, cafe and breakfast or dining tables and more.
Produced only for a short time from 1972 to around 1974, due to the ensuing energy crisis of 1973 which marked the end of the era of cheap gasoline and, therefore, plastics causing UMBO to go out of production in 1974 making these examples extremely rare and sought after by collectors. Finding a set this large is much more rare.
This wall system became a huge hit for Directional who produced a wide variety of modules and since UMBO was fully modular, it could be arranged and re-arranged at any time into fun and creative solutions and uses for your home. UMBO was even available with a desk, dining table, bed frame or wall shelves module which made it perfect for small apartments such as those in Los Angeles and New York. The particular configuration seen in our photos was put together by our photographer just as an example of how it can be configured but it can be rearranged, expanded or divided to your liking.
Kay Leroy Ruggles was a pioneer of inventions and lifelong entrepreneur with a highly successful career winning many awards and holding numerous patents in which he designed and developed over 100 products in a wide range of industries, including automobile, space, furniture, window coverings, amusement park and musical instruments, for example he created the tubular water slide and when Richard Nixon wanted a new bathroom for Air Force One, that job went to Ruggles. Later, Hugh Hefner had custom-designed rooms by Ruggles and so did Ted Kennedy and Disney World.
Consider this original UMBO bookcase...
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1970s American Modern Vintage Directional Shelves
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Mid Century Paul Evans Wall Mirror & Console Table Shelf in Brass & Chrome
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design combination, a cityscape wall shelf and mirror designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features fine heavy construction with brass & chrome clad patchwork ...
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Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo Corner Shelving Unit, Directional, Ivory Cream, 1972
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo corner shelving unit, directional, ivory cream, 1972
UMBO was published in New York magazine on September 25, 1972 and be...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Shelves
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Plastic
Paul Evans Cityscape Mirror with Floating Console for Directional
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Evans cityscape mirror with floating console or vanity. Chrome frame in original condition with some frame wear and scratching. Vanity...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Shelves
Materials
Chrome
Directional shelves for sale on 1stDibs.
Directional shelves are available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider shelves by Edward Wormley, Dunbar, and Herman Miller.
Creators Similar to Directional
Questions About Directional Shelves
- 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.
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