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.
$9,500 / set
Paul McCobb for Calvin Dining Set
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Dining Set, Features Six Dining Chairs, Two Arm Chairs, and Four Side Chairs, a Rectangular Table in mahogany veneer original medium tone with a solid brass st...
Brass
Paul Evans Cityscape Dining Suite / Eight Chairs w Table
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
This listing is for a Dining Suite in desirable chrome cityscape and white leather. Includes a dining table (not pictured at this moment) with two armchairs and six side chairs. Dini...
Metal
'Cityscape' by Paul Evans Dining Table with Leaf
By Paul Evans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Polished chrome patchwork table by Paul Evans for his Cityscape line. Comes with a 15" leaf. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Metal
$12,000
H 29.5 in W 84 in D 40 in
Paul Evans, "Cityscape" Dining Table, Mirror, Wood, Directional, USA, c. 1970
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and mirror "Cityscape" dining table designed by Paul Evans and produced by Directional, circa 1970.
Mirror, Wood
$24,500
H 29.25 in W 47 in D 54 in
Paul Evans Cityscape Expandable Dining Table. Burl Wood and Chrome. Signed.
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Kansas City, MO
Stunning extension dining table designed by Paul Evans for his Cityscape series and manufactured by Directional. Patchwork burl top and chrome base. Without leaves it is a 47 inch ...
Burl
$3,235
H 29 in W 90.25 in D 40 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Newly Restored
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut extension drop-leaf dining table designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. The table features stunning walnut wood grain and aluminum str...
Aluminum
Vintage Paul McCobb End Table for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in Pasadena, TX
Paul McCobb His Planner Group, manufactured by Winchendon Furniture Company, was among the best selling contemporary furniture lines of the 1950s and was in continuous production fr...
Walnut
$3,900 / set
H 23.75 in W 21 in D 22 in
Pair of Paul Mccobb Calvin Group Mahogany and Brass Nightstands for Directional
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paul Mccobb Calvin Group Model 1047 two-tier nightstands/side tables for Directional (ca. 1954, USA). Composed of a stained mahogany frame with extendable lower shelf with nickel pul...
Brass, Nickel
Classic Paul McCobb Calvin End Tables
By Paul McCobb
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of Paul McCobb for Calvin end tables-could also be night stands, with pull out tray. Very nice restored condition. Both signed underneath.
Mahogany, Walnut
Paul Evans Cityscape Game, Side Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Nice signed example from the Cityscape series by Paul Evans for Directional. Hard to find form, usable as a game, side, or occasional table. This table is in good, original condition...
Brass, Chrome
$6,995
H 29 in W 71.75 in D 40 in
Mid-Century Modern Expanding Dining Table by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing the exquisite vintage expanding dining table from the renowned designer Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. This timeless piece, part of The Irwin Collection, showcases exceptional design and superior craftsmanship. Crafted in the 1950s in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this table features a spacious surface supported by solid mahogany legs and brass tone stretchers, adding a unique touch to its classic design. The table comes with two extensions, each measuring 15", allowing the table to extend to a generous 101.5" when fully expanded. Perfect for accommodating unexpected guests, this dining table is a true statement of both style and functionality. If you're interested, we also have the matching dining chairs and credenza available to complete the look. Don't hesitate to contact us for more information. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you purchase vintage furniture from Danish Modern NoHo...
Brass
$6,900
H 16.5 in W 71 in D 35 in
Vintage Chrome Paul Evans Cityscape Tiled Coffee Table, Original Glass Top
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Chrome Paul Evans Cityscape Tiled Coffee Table, Original Glass Top Offered for sale is a vintage Paul Evans "Cityscape" tiled chromed coffee table. The table is topped with ...
Chrome
Paul Evans Signed Cityscape Cocktail Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
A Paul Evans for Directional Cityscape style cocktail/coffee table. This gorgeous midcentury modern coffee table is part of the legendary Paul Evans Cityscape series of furniture. Th...
Chrome
Unavailable|$3,600
H 15 in W 58 in D 31.75 in
Vintage Paul Evans "Cityscape" Chrome and Glass Coffee Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
Vintage Cityscape coffee table with original glass by Paul Evans for Directional. The coffee table is in good vintage condition, regular scuffs and scratches on the chrome and glass....
Chrome
Paul Evans PE 102 Sculpted Bronze Dining Table 1973 (Signed)
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in New York, NY
Hand crafted epoxy and atomized bronze applied over steel, dining table base with thick glass top. This iconic table combining traditional craft with experimental materials is signed...
Bronze, Steel
Kipp Stewart Midcentury Walnut Dining Table
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Outstanding midcentury walnut dining table, designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional, American, circa 1960s. Beautiful grained walnut throughout. It expands from a compact ovaled squ...
Metal
Paul Evans Studio for Directional Cityscape Dining Table, 1975
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Studio for directional custom cityscape dining table, 1975 with custom colorway. Series PE 400; 3/4" polished plate glass...
Chrome
Paul McCobb Black Lacquer and Brass Dining Set, Fully Restored
By Directional, H Sacks & Sons, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and outstanding Mid-Century Modern dining set By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection", with chairs from McCobb's "Irwin Collection" for Directional ...
Brass
Sold
H 31.25 in W 19.25 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb Black Lacquered Extension Dining Table with 10 Chairs, Refinished
By Planner Group, Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional and very versatile Mid-Century Modern extension dining table with a set of ten spindle back chairs By Paul McCobb The table is from the "Irwin Collection" produc...
Brass
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mid-Century Modern Dining Set, 1950s
By Calvin Furniture, Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern dining table and eight chairs By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s B...
Aluminum
Kipp Stewart Mid Century Walnut Dining Table
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Outstanding mid century walnut dining table, designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional, American, circa 1960s. Beautifully grained ...
Metal
Signed Paul Evans Brutalist Dining Table Sculpted of Bronze, circa 1974
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Paul Evans Brutalist Stalagmite dining table Model No. PE102 made of bronze composite designed for Directional. Signed and dated P.E. '74. Furniture that truly is art, Paul Evans tra...
Metal, Bronze
Mid-Century Modern Directional Game Dinette Set Table 4 Armchairs Evans Era
By Directional
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a magnificent game or dinette set, including table and four dining armchairs on casters, by Directional, circa 19...
Wood
Paul Evans Cityscape Dining Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Cityscape" model dining table, designed by Paul Evans for Directional, American, circa 1960s. Constructed of beautifully burled wood and chrome-plated metal. With it's two leaves in...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.5 in W 72 in D 39 in
Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Directional Dining Table Dillinghman Six Chairs
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a magnificent dining set, including table by Milo Baughman for Directional with rosewood, walnut and ash, and six side chairs, by Milo Baughman for Dillingh...
Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 62 in D 39 in
Mid-Century Modern Baughman for Directional Walnut Rosewood Cane Dining Set
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a luxe, elegant, Milo Baughman for Directional Parsons dining table in banded strips of rosewood, walnut and birch with e...
Cane, Rosewood, Walnut