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 Paul Evans Cityscape Floating Shelf Chrome, Brass and Glass
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design, a cityscape wall shelf designed in the style of Paul Evans. The set features Fine heavy construction with brass & chrome clad patchwork design. Includes two L s...
Brass, Chrome
Exceptional Large Signed Paul Evans 1969 Directional Sclupted Bronze Wall Unit
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Paul Evans in the 1960s for the prestigious manufacturer Directional, this incredible piece is very likely one of a kind. While others exist, none have as many bays (4) o...
Bronze
Large Wall Hanging Shelving Unit in Solid Walnut by Elliott Marks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid walnut shelving unit that hangs from wall. Hand selected premium hardwood finished in durable natural hard wax/ oil finish. The vertical frames attach to the wall and have slot...
Maple
$1,817Sale Price|24% Off
H 30 in W 46 in D 10 in
Large Wall Hanging Shelving Unit in Solid Maple by Elliott Marks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid maple shelving unit that hangs from wall and ready to ship. The vertical frames attach to the wall and have slots that precisely hold the deep shelves in place. Rounded edges ...
Maple
Paul McCobb Wall-Mounted Floating Console
By Paul McCobb
Located in Culver City, CA
Introducing an extraordinary mid-century wall-mounted floating three-tier console, a sought-after piece designed by the esteemed Paul McCobb for Bryce Originals in the 1950s. With it...
Steel, Cut Steel
Gerald McCabe Barzilay Wall Unit
By Gerald McCabe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a nine bay Barzilay wall unit by Gerald McCabe of Los Angeles. Oiled walnut with aluminum detail in great condition. We have a variety of ca...
Aluminum
$1,264Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 30 in D 16 in
Poul Cadovius Cado Teak Wall Shelf Units, 'Three Pieces'
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three Poul Cado wall units. One is a three drawer cabinet measures - 30"W x 16"D x 18"H One drop down bar cabinet measures - 30"W x 14.5"Dx16H ...
Teak
Paul Evans "Cityscape" Dining / Console Table
By Paul Evans, Directional
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
Cityscape Multifaceted Dining Console Table Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
One of the most striking designs from Cityscape series by Paul Evans, this multifaceted table base from PE 300 series features a combination of brass and walnut burls panels and indi...
Brass
$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
Paul Evans Cityscape Dining Table Base, Burl & Brass, 1975
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" Beautif...
Brass
Pair Of Paul Evans Authenticated Cityscape Console Tables
By Paul Evans, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Of Paul Evans Cityscape Console Tables Consoles come with a document of authentication acquired from Dorsey Reading. These are being sold in the original aged finish that sho...
Wood
$2,240Sale Price|30% Off
H 19 in W 54 in D 25 in
Paul Evans Cityscape Mid Century Modern Cantilever Floating Gold Coffee Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Dayton, OH
An intriguing Mid Century Modern Floating Cocktail Table by 'Paul Evans'. Part of the Cityscape Collection, Circa 1970. The coffee table is made from Polished/Brushed Metal & G...
Metal
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a bookshelf, bar, media cabinet, vitrine...
Glass, Wood, Teak
Mid-Century Walnut Modular Wall Unit
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-century modular walnut wall unit, circa 1970's featuring 4 self-supporting box units, 4 shelves, and a locking drop down desk. The height can be adjusted on all pieces. Excellent...
Walnut
50 Piece Barzilay Walnut Wall Unit
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We have over 50 pieces of this amazing Barzilay walnut wall unit with aluminum accents. Please contact us for custom pricing and visit our L...
Aluminum
Paul Evans Style Patchwork Brutalist Brass and Copper Console
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans style patchwork Brutalist brass and copper console. A patchwork of copper and brass pieces on a wooden frame finished with a thick lacquer coat.
Brass, Copper
Umbo Shelving
By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional and featuring a completely modular design. This unit has scuffs, chips, and a crack in one area but still reads wonderfully
Plastic
Sold
H 78.5 in W 54 in D 15 in
Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze Wall-Mounted Shelving Unit, First Year of Production
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
Paul Evans 'Sculpted Bronze Series' wall unit acquired from the original owner who acquired it from the Directional showroom in NYC. This unit is signed PE and is dated from the very first year of production, 1969. It is in very good original condition with bronze glass shelves...
Bronze
Sold
H 6.5 in W 60.25 in D 13 in
Floating Paul Evans for Directional Metal Patchwork Console with Slate Shelf
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Hudson, NY
Paul Evans patchwork metal shelf with slate.
Slate, Metal, Brass, Bronze
Iconic Paul Evans Studio Sculpted Bronze Wall-Mount Disc Bar for Directional
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
Iconic disc bar by Paul Evans Studio for Directional. Approximately, only 200 of these were ever created. This piece is an extremely exceptional example. It is dated 1969 from the fi...
Bronze
Sold
H 6 in W 24 in D 13 in
Paul Evans for Directional "Argente" Aluminium & Slate Wall Mount Console Shelf
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Paul Evans for Directional Argente Wall Mount Console Table in Aluminium with Dark Charcoal Grey slate surface. Featuring flowing hand welded Aluminium patterns. Limited production p...
Slate, Aluminum
Paul Evans "Patchwork" Floating Console
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Wall-mounted console fashioned of welded and patinated metals over wood frame. Original cleft slate top rests on raised wood frame. Slate has "Paul Evans" signed on underside in chal...
Slate, Metal
Sold
H 29 in W 48 in D 21 in
Signed Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze Relief Brutalist Floating Credenza, circa 1971
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Early 1970s Paul Evans for Directional two-door credenza, floating sideboard with black slate inset. Constructed as a two door floating wall mount credenza...
Slate, Bronze