The single aesthetic attribute of vintage Paul McCobb furniture is that the designer completely forsook ornament — his pieces have no flourishes. And yet, because they are honest — McCobb’s chairs, desks and dining tables are made of solid wood, usually maple or birch, often paired with frames and legs of wrought iron; the cabinets are traditionally scaled; the seating pieces have historic antecedents such as the Windsor chair — his mid-century modern work has warmth and presence.
You could call the Massachusetts-born McCobb a man of parts. As a furniture designer, his work combined the attributes of many of his now better-known peers.
Like the work of Bauhaus designers such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, McCobb's furniture had purity of form and line. Like the designs of Florence Knoll and George Nelson and his associates, McCobb’s work was efficient and purposeful. And even like George Nakashima, he was adept at interpreting traditional forms, in particular those of chairs, for the 20th century.
More than any other designer besides Russel Wright, with his ubiquitous ceramic tableware, McCobb was arguably responsible for the introduction of modern design into middle-class American households — if for no other reason than that he designed the 1952 set for the original Today show.
McCobb, a repeat recipient of the Good Design Award from the Museum of Modern Art, also designed cohesive lines of furnishings, such as his best-known Planner Group, that gave homes an instant “look.” He designed for several companies, most notably Directional, which was home to McCobb’s Origami chair.
In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company, a brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere. Directional opened its doors after McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York-based Modernage Company. Directional also produced designs by other legends such as Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.
As you can see from the offerings on 1stDibs, McCobb designs are the pin-striped suit, or the little black dress, of a decor: an essential.
Find vintage Paul McCobb credenzas, bookcases, nightstands and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Paul McCobb Lounge Armchair, Walnut Frame with Geometric Fabric
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century lounge / armchair with a walnut frame with a scooped back rail and multi-colored geometric patterned and striped fabric upholstery, resting on four tapered dowel...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Paul McCobb for Widdicomb Symmetric Group Mid Century Lounge Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Widdicomb Symmetric Group Mid Century Lounge Chairs Each chair measures: 29.25 wide x 29 deep x 31.25 high, with a seat height of 15.5 and arm height/chair clearance...
Upholstery
Paul McCobb for Directional Rectangular Black Vinyl and Walnut Ottoman
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century rectangular ottoman with a black vinyl upholstered top resting on a walnut base with tapered legs. (PAUL MCCOBB FOR DIRECTIONAL)
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Arthur Umanoff Wire Legs Mid Century Modern Round Compact Bench Stool MINT!
By Paul McCobb, Frederic Weinberg
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Arthur Umanoff Wire Legs Mid Century Modern Round Compact Bench Stool MINT!
Steel
Paul McCobb Brass & Cane Bench
By Paul McCobb
Located in Highland, IN
This lovely model 7709 Paul McCobb bench is light and elegant. The brass base with its X-shaped stretchers supports a walnut and cane top. Comfort can be increased with the addition ...
Brass
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Maple Spindle Back Lounge Chair
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, low profile, lounge chair by Paul McCobb for Winchendon features a deep seated, black lacquered maple frame with spindle back and newly upholstered cushions in se...
Fabric, Maple
Vintage Paul McCobb Two-Toned Planner Chairs, PAIR
By Paul McCobb
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a pair of two-toned, white and brown stained wood, Planner chairs designed by Paul McCobb. There is a second pair of McCobb chairs in similar two-tone that would complement b...
Maple
$1,450
Paul McCobb Shovel Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Paul McCobb shovel chair, model #1533, from his Planner Group for Winchendon Furniture, 1950. Solid maple seat and back with iron frame. Go...
Iron
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Black Lacquered Mahogany and Brass Armchairs
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs By Paul McCobb for Directional, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Elegant black lacquered sculpted mahogany frames, with upho...
Brass
Set Of Four Paul McCobb Planner Group "Shovel" Dining Chairs
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of four mid-century modern, dining side chairs was designed by beloved American designer Paul McCobb for his Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture. These iconic chairs...
Wrought Iron
Paul McCobb X-Base Stool by Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in Highland, IN
A Paul McCobb Classic, his X-base stool, is a timeless design: elegant without being fussy, refined without feeling precious, and like so much of McCobb's work, perfectly proportione...
Brass
Paul McCobb "Tub" Lounge Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Highland, IN
This uncommon design by Paul McCobb is classic mid-century modern design. With it's clean lines and splayed tapered legs, it is stylish but unpretentious. A generous seat makes it ve...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Paul McCobb Two-Tone Planner Chairs, PAIR
By Paul McCobb
Located in North Miami, FL
Beautifully lacquered in two tones, white and natural wood in brown stain. We have a second similar pair of McCobb chairs that can make a lovely set of ...
Maple
Pair of Paul McCobb Brass Stools Silver Shagreen Leather
By Paul McCobb
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Paul McCobb brass stools, shagreen silver leather, with brass criss-cross bases, adjustable feet.
Brass
Rare Paul McCobb Symmetric Group Sofa for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Paul McCobb
Located in Pawtucket, RI
One of Paul McCobb's final designs, this graceful floating sofa features a symmetrical silhouette on walnut legs. Manufactured by Widdicomb as part of the Symmetric Group. Recently e...
Textile, Walnut
Lounge Chair by Paul McCobb for Directional, 1958
By Paul McCobb
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An excellent Mid-Century Modern lounge chair designed by Paul McCobb featuring a vibrant red wool upholstery supported by sculpted sinuous arms and legs. Crafted in the USA, circa 19...
Upholstery
$1,950 / item
Paul McCobb Side Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb thin brass frame side chairs (3 available).
Leather