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.
Mid Century Walnut Dining Table by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Stunning Mid century dining table by Milo Baughman for Directional. Beautiful walnut top and matching walnut base. The perfect minimalist dining table. Lines don't get much cleaner. ...
Walnut
Milo Baughman for Directional Dining Table in Walnut, Rosewood, Ash w/ 2 Leaves
By Johnson Furniture Company, Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in the Unites States in the 1960s, this piece was manufactured by Johnson Furniture Co. and sold by Directional, who consistently sold smash hits from the likes of Paul Evans an...
Hardwood, Ash, Rosewood, Walnut
Paul Evans Dining Table Cityscape Burl & Brass
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Hanover, MA
Paul Evans Cityscape dining table base with burl veneer and brass plated stainless steel tiles. Base alone dimensions 28.5 x 49 x 19 Glass shown in photos for scale 72" x 40"
Brass
Paul Evans, "Cityscape" Dining Table, Mirror, Wood, Directional, USA, c. 1970
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and mirror "Cityscape" dining table designed by Paul Evans and produced by Directional, circa 1970.
Mirror, Wood
Midcentury Dining Table by Paul Evans for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning vintage dining table by Paul Evans for Directional. Beautiful patchwork burl wood design that sits on a pedestal base with chrom...
Chrome
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mahogany and Brass Round Dining Table or Game Table
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern round dining, table, game table, or center table By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950...
Brass
$4,800Sale Price|26% Off
Exotic Mixed Woods Dining Table by Milo Baughman for Directional, 1960s
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautifully refinished exotic wood inlay 1960's California Modern dining table by Milo Baughman for Directional features highly grained exotic woods creating contrasting lines s...
Wood
Directional Dining Table designed by Milo Baughman
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your location. Directional Dining Table designed by Milo Baughman. The table measures 72" by 39" by 29.5" tall with two leave...
Rosewood, Teak, Walnut
Paul Evans PE-509 Cityscape Dining Table by Directional, 1970s
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Raleigh, NC
Paul Evans PE-509 dining table from the Cityscape series, executed entirely in chrome patchwork. Geometric metal panels in varied rectangular shapes create the signature skyline-ins...
Chrome
Directional Mid-Century Modern Cherry and Burl Wood Dining Table, Refinished
By Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension dining table By Directional USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous figural cherry wood, with burl wood banding. Measures: 72"W x 44.25"D x 38.75"H....
Cherry, Burl
Milo Baughman for Directional Rosewood, Walnut, Ash Dining Table with 2 Leaves
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Directional Mid Century Rosewood, Walnut and Ash Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 60 wide x 38 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a chair clear...
Ash, Rosewood, Walnut
$6,552Sale Price|25% Off
Milo Baughman Dining Table for Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Milo Baughman Dining Table for Directional, Striped multi-wood table top: rosewood, walnut, and ash. Two additional matching leaves. The Table extends from 72" to 108" fully extended...
Ash, Rosewood, Walnut
Milo Baughman for Directional Mid Century Multi-Wood Dining Table
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Directional mid century multi-wood dining table This table measures: 60 wide x 38 deep x 28.75 high, with a chair clearance of 25.75 inches, each leaf measures 2...
Wood
Paul Evans "Cityscape" Dining / Console Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Denton, TX
Paul Evans cityscape for Directional dining / console table with chrome-plated steel and burled wood base. Glass not included Base dimensions: 63 L x 19 D x 28.38 Glass: 71 3/...
Steel, Chrome
Paul Evans Cityscape Expandable Dining Table. Burl Wood and Chrome. Signed.
By Directional, Paul Evans
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
SOLD 03/24/26 Paul Evans for Directional PE-102 Stalagmite Bronze Dining Table
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans for Directional PE-102 Mid Century Stalagmite Bronze Dining Table This dining table measures: 90 wide x 47.75 deep x 28.75 inches high, with a chair clearance of 28 inche...
Bronze
Mixed-Woods "Gallery One" Dining Table by Milo Baughman for Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mixed-woods dining table designed by Milo Baughman for Directional's "Gallery One" line (ca. 1961, USA). Composed of alternating banding of walnut, rosewoo...
Rosewood, Walnut
Paul Evans PE-509 Dining Table by Directional Furniture in Walnut Burl
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Raleigh, NC
This striking Paul Evans PE-509 dining table by Directional Furniture showcases the designer's masterful patchwork walnut burl construction. The table features Evans' signature tech...
Walnut
Vintage Multi-Wood Expanding Dining Table by Milo Baughman for Directional
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Magnificent vintage expanding dining table designed by Milo Baughman for Directional in the United States, circa 1960s. This spectacular and organic design features a mix of quality ...
Ebony, Oak, Rosewood, Walnut
Paul Evans for Directional Mid Century Chrome Cityscape Dining Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans for Directional Mid Century Chrome Cityscape Dining Table This dining table measures: 90 wide x 47.75 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance of 28.25 inches All p...
Chrome
Paul Evans PE400 Faceted Dining Table in Walnut Burl & Chrome Plated Steel 1970s
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in New York, NY
The Cityscape collection designed by Paul Evans was produced by Directional Furniture from 1970 until 1981. The collection drew inspiration from urban environments and architectural ...
Steel, Chrome
Paul Evans Studio for Directional Argente Unique Dining Table
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Studio for Directional Argente Unique Dining Table Welded and patinated aluminum with 3/4" glass Welded signature and date to base ‘Paul Evans 73’. Sold with a digital cop...
Aluminum
Milo Baughman for Directional Mid-Century Mixed Wood Expanding Leaf Dining Table
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant and versatile mid-century modern dining table designed by Milo Baughman for Directional. This sophisticated piece features a striking combination of rosewood, walnut, and ash...
Wood
Milo Baughman Black Lacquer Parsons Style Dining Table
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
An iconic dining table by Milo Baughman for Directional. Table is well constructed and comes with two leaves each of which is 20"W. Without leaves table is 66"W. Black lacquer.
Wood, Lacquer
Milo Baughman Dining Table by Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Highland, IN
This classic mid-century dining table designed by Milo Baughman for Directional takes a simple, rectilinear form and dresses it up with bands of mixed wood veneers. The 72" long tabl...
Wood
Paul Evans for Directional Cityscape Style Mid Century Patchwork Burlwood Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans for Directional Cityscape style mid century patchwork burlwood table The table measures: 39 wide x 39 deep x 29.25 high, with a chair...
Burl
Milo Baughman for Directional Dimond Teak & Walnut Dining Table Gate Legs Base
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman dining table with two 14" extension boards. Ebonized gate leg base, teak and walnut diamond pattern top.
Teak, Walnut
Vintage “Cityscape” Chrome Dining Table by Paul Evans for Directional, 1970s
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Step into a world where art and function merge with this remarkable mid-century dining table, designed by the legendary Paul Evans for Directional in the 1970s. A true icon from the ...
Chrome
Paul McCobb for Directional Black Lacquer and Brass Dining Table, Refinished
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension dining table By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture USA, 1950s Black lacquered mahogany, with brass stretchers...
Brass
Paul McCobb for Directional Black Lacquer and Brass Extension Dining Table
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension dining table By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture USA, 1950s Black lacquered mahogany, with brass stretchers...
Brass
$15,000Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Paul Evans Iconic Cityscape Dining Table, Signed
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in North Canton, OH
Iconic Paul Evans Burled Patchwork and Chrome Dining Table from his Cityscape Collection. Signed. Two leaves. Condition Disclosure: Please understand nearly all of our inventory is ...
Chrome
Paul Evans Custom Faceted Dining Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Custom Faceted Dining Table, Larger base with lacquered wood and brass cladding over wood. 3/4" top measures 96" in length and 47.50" in depth Seats 10 to 12
Brass
Directional Custom Collection Vintage Modern Inlaid Dining Table
By Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique inlaid metal and wood dining table from the Directional Custom Collection. Tabletop is banded with alternating wood grain patterns...
Chrome