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 Rare 'Cityscape' 'Steel Hinged' Sideboard in Chrome
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans, Paul Evans Studio for Directional, 'Cityscape' or 'Steel Hinged' cabinet, mirrored glass, chrome-plated steel, lacquered High Pressure Laminate, United States, 1970s Thi...
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
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 Directional, Milo Baughman
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
$18,190
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, Rute Martins
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 ...
Marble, Quartz, Travertine, Brass, Stainless Steel
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
$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
$8,126Sale Price|40% Off
H 30.32 in W 95.28 in D 18.51 in
Franco Albini Italian Midcentury Dark Wood Sideboard for Poggi, 1950s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design credenza sideboard designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia from 1958, four doors with sliding shelves and a pull-out shelf / tray, sol...
Wood
Midcentury Paul Evans Brutalist Sideboard for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An iconic vintage modern design by Paul Evans with an elaborate chrome patchwork design. This stylish case piece boasts a spacious black interior hidden behind four cabinet doors. A ...
Chrome
$5,900
H 33.5 in W 66 in D 17.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Burl Wood Credenza for Thayer Coggin
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Toledo, OH
Beautiful Milo Baughman credenza for Thayer Coggin with burl wood patchwork square tiles design. This 3-door cabinet features 4 drawers, an adjustable shelf, and sits on a chrome fin...
Chrome
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Sideboard, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Sideboard, 1960s. Stunning Scandinavian Modern rosewood/palisander cabinet with vivid grain pattern. Double hinged doors with brass hinges and locks with...
Santos Rosewood
$13,200
H 30.5 in W 74.5 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Credenza by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, Circa 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
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
$24,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 77 in D 21 in
Wonderful Paul Evans Cityscape Mid-Century Chrome Sideboard Buffet Credenza
By Paul Evans
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Scrumptious signed Paul Evans cityscape credenza. This piece is quite unique with the puzzle door hinges and the chocolate brown fibreglass top and plinth bottom. There is a signatur...
Chrome
$5,000
H 28.38 in W 77.82 in D 21 in
Impressive Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Large Walnut Credenza or Sideboard
By Jens Risom
Located in St. Louis, MO
Handsome Jens Risom (1916-2016) designed Danish Modern walnut credenza is perfect for office or home. Designed and produced by Jens Risom...
Walnut
$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
Rare "Sculpted -Bronze" 'Disc Bar' by Paul Evans for Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare "sculpted -bronze" 'Disc Bar,' Model PE-122, by Paul Evans for Directional. Signed on top right corner of back, "PE 71," as shown. This piece is an original iconic Paul Evans cr...
Composition
$19,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 60 in D 16 in
Excellent Paul Evans Chrome Cityscape Credenza Mid-Century Modern
By Paul Evans
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Excellent Paul Evans chrome Cityscape credenza. This piece is in remarkable condition because it was covered with a piece of glass for the last ...
Chrome
$19,500
H 34.5 in W 82 in D 20 in
Paul Evans Open Back Cityscape Console Bar Cabinet In Burlwood And Chrome
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Southampton, NJ
A stunning and exceptionally rare console bar cabinet in Olive Burlwood and patchwork chromed steel designed by Paul Evans for Directional. This console features an open back with ad...
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 Paul Evans, Directional
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
Paul Evans for Directional "Cityscape II" Sideboard in Chrome and Brass
By Paul Evans, Directional
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 30.25 in W 54.5 in D 18.5 in
Milo Baughman for Directional Walnut Sideboard Credenza, 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 legs and accents, and...
Walnut
Paul Evans Brass Cityscape Wall Mounted Cabinet
By Paul Evans, Directional
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
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 Milo Baughman, Directional
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 Paul McCobb, Directional
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 Paul Evans, Directional
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 Paul Evans, Directional
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 Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb, Directional
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 Calvin Furniture, Directional, Paul McCobb
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
Sold
H 30.25 in W 54 in D 18 in
Milo Baughman for Directional Walnut and Ebonized Sideboard Credenza, Refinished
By Directional, Milo Baughman
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