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.
Paul Evans for Directional 'PE 300' Faceted Sideboard in Chrome and Burlwood
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans, Paul Evans Studio for Directional, ‘Faceted Cityscape II’ (PE 300 series), maple burl, chrome-plated steel, lacquered wood, United States, circa 1973 This sideboard from...
Steel, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood and Black Lacquered Credenza by Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elevate your interior with this stunning mid-century credenza, attributed to the legendary Milo Baughman and crafted by Directional in the United States during the 1970s. This except...
Burl, Lacquer
Paul Evans Brass Cityscape Wall Mounted Cabinet
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Hanover, MA
Paul Evans brass Cityscape wall-mounted sideboard cabinet with two pair of double doors which open to reveal a black laminate internal storage space divided by a horizontal shelf. S...
Brass
Paul Evans CityScape Sideboard for Directional Brass Tiles & Burl Wood Doors
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare 1970s Paul Evans Cityscape sideboard with waterfall ends for Directional with brass tiles and book matched Burl wood doors. Interior laminated in black...
Brass
Mid-Century Campaign Style Long Chest or Cabinet
By Directional
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic mid-century chest or cabinet crafted in mahogany featuring multiple components including brass campaign style hardware including three drawers and three doors. Plenty of storage...
Brass
Beautiful 1960s MCM Book Matched Rosewood Sideboard by Directional - Restored
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in St. Louis, MO
Beautiful minimalist Mid-Century Modern Rosewood three door sideboard by Directional, circa 1960s, fully refinished. Incredible book matched rosewood veneer cabinet doors with curved...
Rosewood
Vintage Exotic Wood Sideboard Cabinet by Milo Baughman for Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
A Vintage Exotic wood sideboard cabinet attributed to Milo Baughman for Directional. One of the doors needs an adjustment to properly close and ...
Wood
$3,606
H 30.71 in W 72.05 in D 20.87 in
1950s Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern Wood Glass Brass Credenza Sideboard
By Guglielmo Ulrich, Ico & Luisa Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Vittorio Dassi, Melchiorre Bega
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian 1950s sideboard, credenza, buffet with very elegant shapes and classic wood worked according its natural light graining. This great piece has 6 frontal drawers and ...
Brass
$19,278
H 23.63 in W 88.59 in D 21.66 in
Mid-Century Modern Olival Marble TV Cabinet, Calacatta Viola, by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Olival Marble TV Cabinet, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Olival marble TV cabinet draws inspiration from the sacred ...
Travertine, Quartz, Marble, Stainless Steel, Brass
Paul Evans Flip Top Cityscape Bar Cabinet
By Paul Evans
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Step back in time with this authentic, vintage Paul Evans Cityscape bar cabinet from the 1970s. This striking piece combines the distinct aesthetic of Paul Evans with the practicalit...
Burl
Danish Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Sideboard, 1960s
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Low Rosewood sideboard, 1960s Beautiful Danish Modern low sideboard in minimalistic style attributed to Danish designer Arne Vodder for Sibast. Front with...
Rosewood
$19,837 / item
H 35.44 in W 59.06 in D 21.66 in
Mid-Century Modern Olival Marble Bar Cabinet, Calacatta, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Olival Marble Bar Cabinet, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Olival marble bar cabinet draws inspiration from the sacre...
Marble, Stone, Onyx, Travertine, Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel
Danish Midcentury Sideboard in Rosewood, 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Great looking sideboard in rosewood designed and made in Denmark, 1960s. Great original condition.
Rosewood
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.75 in W 70.5 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Bleached Ribbon Mahogany Long Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber long, low credenza or sideboard with four ascending height drawers and pair of shelved cabinets measuring 16.5" wide x 21" high. Sleek conical brass pulls and dark mah...
Brass
$3,900 / set
H 40 in W 48 in D 12 in
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 ...
Brass, Chrome
$3,380
H 30.5 in W 54 in D 18 in
Mid Century Sideboard Credenza by Milo Baughman for Directional. Circa 1960s
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Miami, FL
Mid Century Sideboard Credenza by Milo Baughman for Directional. Circa 1960s Features a sleek Mid Century Modern Design with a beautiful walnut woodgrain, two trifold doors with flat...
Walnut
Deep Relief Steel Front Sideboard Cabinet PE-42 by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large and stunning sculpted-front cabinet by Paul Evans (1931-1987), model PE-42, made in 1970 in his studio for Directional. The model was one of the largest case pieces made by P...
Slate, Steel
$13,200
H 30.5 in W 74.5 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Credenza by Vittorio Dassi, Palisander, Italy, 1950
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian credenza made of hand crafted lacquered palisanderwood with four drawers and a glass top, designed by Vittorio Dassi in good condition. The storage piece is ideal as a traditional sideboard...
Glass, Palisander
$6,750 / set
H 8 in W 3 in D 12 in
Set Paul Evans for Directional Chrome Brass Cityscape Shelf Brackets Console
By Paul Evans
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning set signed Paul Evans for Directional shelf brackets or console tables. The glass is not pictured but is included and is 12" w x 48" l and is brand new. This set is truly fa...
Brass, Chrome
Sold
H 32.49 in W 90.01 in D 21.97 in
Paul Evans for Directional ‘Cityscape' PE280 Sideboard in Steel and Brass
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, 'Cityscape PE280' sideboard, from the PE200 series, chrome-plated steel, brass, United States, circa 1975 This sideboard from the 'Cityscape' (PE 200) l...
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 22.05 in W 90.16 in L 22.05 in
Paul Evans for Directional "Cityscape II" Sideboard in Chrome and Brass
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, 'Cityscape II' sideboard, chromed steel, brass, glass, United States, 1975 A striking sideboard from the “Cityscape II” line, designed by Paul Evans fo...
Brass, Chrome
Sold
H 31.89 in W 72.05 in D 20.87 in
Postmodern lacquer sideboard, F Hayman Chaffey for Directional , USA 1980s
By Directional
Located in Hastings, GB
A rare postmodern metallic lacquer sideboard, coated with thick acrylic: a collaboration between high-end manufacturer Directional and the artist/designer Frederick Hayman Chaffey. S...
Acrylic, Lacquer
Milo Baughman for Directional Burled Walnut Sideboard or Credenza
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Skokie, IL
Milo Baughman for Directional Burled Walnut Sideboard or Credenza A beautiful burled walnut sideboard or credenza by American designer Milo Baughman (1923-2003) for Directional Furn...
Brass
Sold
H 76.5 in W 60 in D 18 in
Caned Sideboard Cabinet by Paul McCobb for Directional Furniture c 1958, Signed
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautifully refinished cabinet with hutch was designed by Paul Mccobb for Directional Furniture and part of their 'Custom Collection' line produced in circa late 1950s and featu...
Brass
Sold
H 30.5 in W 72.5 in D 18 in
Milo Baughman for Directional Walnut and Ebonized Sideboard, Newly Refinished
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Milo Baughman for Directional USA, 1960s Gorgeous book-matched walnut, with ebonized accents and original ...
Walnut
Sold
H 30.25 in W 72 in D 18 in
Milo Baughman for Directional Walnut and Ebonized Sideboard Credenza, Refinished
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Milo Baughman for Directional USA, 1960s Gorgeous book-matched walnut, with ebonized legs and accent...
Walnut
Paul Evans Directional Patchwork Credenza, c 1970's
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular Post Modern, Brutalist school credenza, designed by Paul Evans for Directional c. 1970's. The sideboard features a large rectangular cabinet with patchwork burl veneer, w...
Chrome
Paul Evans Iconic Artisan 4 Door Credenza 1968
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stunning 4 door credenza model PE-40A in hand-welded steel with hand-painted polychrome enamels and gilding featuring bi-fold doors with red colored interior and cleft slate tops by ...
Slate, Enamel, Steel, Gold
Sold
H 34.5 in W 48.13 in D 19.13 in
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Black Lacquered Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
By Paul McCobb, Directional, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s Black la...
Brass
Sold
H 36.25 in W 36 in D 19.25 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Black Lacquer and Brass Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
By Directional, Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard server or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture USA, 1950s Black lacquered mahogany...
Brass
Sold
H 33 in W 71.25 in D 19.25 in
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mahogany, Leather, and Brass Credenza, 1950s
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s ...
Brass