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 McCobb Irwin Collection Black Lacquer and Brass End Tables or Nightstands
By Directional, Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern end tables, side tables, or nightstands By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s ...
Brass
$2,295 / set
Midcentury Burled Nesting Tables by Directional
By Directional
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Mid Century Parsons style nesting tables made by Directional in thick burl veneer over solid wood cores. Very well crafted and solid feeling with corner blocking. The tops ma...
Burl
$6,700Sale Price|21% Off
Paul Evans Patchwork Steel Coffee Table for Directional, Signed & Dated 1978
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning coffee table by Paul Evans for Directional, produced in 1978, signed and dated PE 78. The cube shaped form is fabricated from patinated pieces of painted steel which have be...
Steel
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Paul Evans Cityscape Brass and Wood Side Table
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in New York, NY
Rare and unusual Cityscape side table signed Paul Evans with brass and wood panels. This stunning combination is not often seen, this example is in very good, original condition, sho...
Brass
$18,850 / set
H 22.75 in W 20 in D 24.5 in
Brasilia Nesting Tables, Three, by The Campana Brothers, Blue Glass Tops, Chrome
By Campana Brothers, Edra
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of three Brasilia tables designed by Fernando and Humberto Campana for Edra, Italy, 2006. Blue colored mirrored Reflex glass tops and chrome-plated aluminum legs. The glass shard...
Aluminum
Pair of Baker Neoclassical End Tables or Nightstands
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant pair of Neoclassical end tables or night stands, by Baker, American, circa 1980s. Like all Baker furniture, they are extremely well made wi...
Wood
Pair Of Nesting Tables
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Located in NY.
Metal, Iron
$2,595
H 22.25 in W 20 in D 30 in
Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb “Irwin Collection” Marble & Brass Side Table
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb "Irwin Collection" marble & brass side table for Calvin Furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is ...
Marble, Brass
$8,000
H 16 in W 54 in D 42 in
Brutalist Patinated Patchwork Coffee Table with Slate Top, ATTR Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Queens, NY
Brutalist American Modern 1970s patinated patchwork metal coffee table with riveted copper, brass, and pewter sheeting with slate top (attr: P...
Slate, Copper, Pewter
Paul Evans Brutalist Mixed Metal Coffee Table for Directional
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Evans Brutalist mixed metal coffee table for directional.
Brass, Copper, Pewter
Lacquered Horn Nightstand or End Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
*The one seen on the right has been sold. Lacquered horn nightstand or end table, American, circa 1980s. It is constructed of lacquered horn with bea...
Wood, Horn
$7,022Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 22.84 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Michel Pigneres Black Lacquered Brass Nightstands Tables 1970s
By Michel Pigneres
Located in Paris, IDF
This rare pair of French midcentury single drawer black lacquered nightstands or end tables would be stunning in any room. Designed by Michel Pignères in France in the late 1970s, th...
Brass
$12,000
H 29.5 in W 84 in D 40 in
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
$6,400
H 15.5 in W 42 in D 42 in
Paul Evans Brutalist Patchwork of Metals Slate Top Coffee Table c. 1970s
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Silver golden and copper hues glow throughout this Paul Evans coffee table in a patchwork of hammered metals. Artful celebration of metals represented in brass iron steel and bronze ...
Metal
$5,600
H 15.5 in W 42 in D 42 in
Mid Century Paul Evans Cityscape Brass, Chrome and Glass Square Cocktail Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning Cityscape design coffee table by Paul Evans for Directional. It features a chrome & brass patchwork design base with a heavy glass top. In very good vintage condition.
Chrome, Brass
Made Goods Cowhide and Leather Nightstand or End Table
By Made Goods
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant cowhide and leather nightstand, by Made Goods, American, circa 2020s. Original retail price $2400. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a nightstand, end, or sid...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 25.25 in W 29.75 in D 29.75 in
Paul Evans 'PE-31' Patchwork Copper Cube Table for Directional, c 1967
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 'PE-31' patchwork copper table by Paul Evans for Directional, produced in circa 1967. The cube shaped form is fabricated from patinated pieces of copper, bronze, and pewter which have been welded and nailed in a patchwork style pattern resting on top of a patinated steel plinth base with casters. The top has been fitted with mirrored glass. The fusion of these exterior materials formulates an exemplary piece which would be a welcome addition to any connoisseur's collection or high-end interior designer project. We have the matching PE-32 bar cabinet and PE-17 floating wall console with PE-18 mirror (all with Patchwork Copper) if you would like to create a matching set. We also carry other Paul Evans designs, including Cityscape, Deep-Relief, Artisan, and Sculptured Metal Collections. Contact us for more information or see our other listings for more details. This Paul Evans patchwork copper cube table...
Bronze, Copper, Pewter
Paul Evans Rare Welded Steel PE-46 Lamp Table 1960s
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Whether arranging metal pieces to create panels of intricate metal relief for his Sculpture Front series, fusing together a collage of steel sheets to form his Welded Steel collectio...
Enamel, Steel
Sold
H 20.63 in W 20 in D 20.13 in
Pair of Paul Evans Signed Cityscape Chrome End Tables or Nightstands, 1970s
By Directional, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Willy Rizzo, Pierre Cardin, Paul Evans
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A pair of signed Paul Evans Cityscape end tables are also great as nightstands. Color: Chrome Measurements: Length: 20" Width: 20 1/8" Height: 20 5/8"
Chrome
Sold
H 25 in W 32 in D 32 in
Mid Century Pair of Center, Side or End Tables by Milo Baughman for Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare matching pair of signed Milo Baughman designed for Directional Furniture mid century modern olive burl wood square tables that can function as a center, side, end or cocktail ta...
Burl
Sold
H 25 in W 32 in D 32 in
Mid Century Center, Side or End Table by Milo Baughman for Directional Furniture
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare Milo Baughman designed for Directional Furniture mid centuru modern olive burl wood square table that can function as a center, side, end or cocktail table. Hallmarks present o...
Burl
Sold
H 21.25 in W 29.75 in D 29.75 in
Paul Evans 'PE-31' Patchwork Copper Table with Slate Top for Directional, c 1967
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 'PE-31' patchwork copper table by Paul Evans for Directional, produced in circa 1967. The cube shaped form is fabricated from patinated pieces of copper, bronze, and pewter which have been welded and nailed in a patchwork style pattern resting on top of a patinated steel plinth base. The top has been fitted with an inset slate stone. The fusion of these exterior materials formulates an exemplary piece which would be a welcome addition to any connoisseur's collection or high-end interior designer project. We have the matching PE-32 bar cabinet and PE-17 floating wall console with PE-18 mirror if you would like to create a matching set. We also carry other Paul Evans designs, including Cityscape, Deep-Relief, and Sculptured Metal Collections. Contact us for more information or see our other listings for more details. This Paul Evans patchwork copper cube table...
Copper, Pewter, Bronze
Sold
H 18 in W 12 in D 12 in
Paul Evans City Scape for Directional Cubes as End Tables or Coffee Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of Paul Evans designed cubes from the city scape series for directional. Each cube is a patchwork of brushed stainless steel and polished brass geometric forms. Each measures 12...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Sold
H 20.5 in W 30 in D 30 in
Milo Baughman for Directional Black Lacquered Large Bedside Chests or End Tables
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern large nightstands or side tables By Milo Baughman for Directional USA, 1960s Black lacquered walnut, with brass finished accents an...
Walnut, Lacquer
Sold
H 22.38 in W 24 in D 30 in
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mahogany and Brass Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Directional, Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding pair of Mid-Century Modern bedside tables or occasional side tables By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950...
Brass
Sold
H 22.5 in W 24.5 in D 18 in
Milo Baughman for Directional Walnut and Ebonized Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern nightstands. By Milo Baughman for directional. USA, 1960s. Book-matched walnut, with ebonized legs and accents and original hardwar...
Walnut
Paul Evans Cityscape End Tables or Nightstands with Drawers
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Cityscape end tables or nightstands with drawers, from PE 200 Series, Chrome plated tiles with rare drawer function. Signed Paul Ev...
Chrome
Paul McCobb Cigarette Table for Directional
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb brass and white vitrolite glass cigarette table for Directional, c. 1950s, USA. This table was only produced for a short period of time which makes it a rarer find. A rou...
Brass