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.
$15,183 / set
Rare Paul McCobb Patio Chaise for Arbuck, USA, 1950s
By Arbuck, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare Paul McCobb patio chaise for Arbuck, USA 1950s The chaise in its original condition. We could restore the chaise completely with a new powdercoating and can also provide a new pillow.
Metal
Wood and Brass Upholstered Chaise Lounge
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Wood and brass upholstered chaise lounge by Paul McCobb. Upholstered in a dark blue velvet fabric.
Brass
Paul McCobb Mahogany and Brass Chaise Lounge
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
A chaise lounge, model 5018 designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, circa 1955. upholstered in Rogers & Goffigon Fabric with brass stretcher and lacquered wood legs. Literature...
Mahogany
Paul McCobb, Ebonized Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Manhasset, NY
Paul McCobb, American Mid-Century Modern, Ebonized Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s A pair of model 1322 lounge chairs designed by Paul MCobb for Directional Furniture in the...
Fabric, Wood
Upholstered Daybed Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
Graceful and inviting, the recamier chaise with arched back and rolled arm. The fainting couch is upholstered but it does show some ware. Although made in the Victorian period, it ...
Upholstery
$7,080 / item
H 34 in W 31 in D 58 in
Modern Custom Upholstered Chaise Lounge with Quilted Headrest and Tapered Legs
Located in Greenwich, CT
A modern chaise lounge handcrafted in our Norwalk, Connecticut workroom. This relaxed, sculptural seating piece features a gently sloping silhouette designed for comfortable reclinin...
Wool, Synthetic, Faux Leather
$68,900
H 33.08 in W 30.12 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Chaise Lounge by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1954
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This chaise Lounge is one of the fantastic designs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner, produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. Galeria Artesanal, the first showroom to present furniture and objects created by Moveis Artesanal and HG Ceramica, used to sell this design. The traditional chaises...
Iron
A. Rudin Upholstered Chaise Lounge Sofa with Fortuny Throw Pillows
By A. Rudin, Fortuny
Located in Forney, TX
A fine contemporary A. Rudin chaise lounge sofa, in grey upholstery, with rolled back and single arm, down and foam filled seat cushion, rising on tapered wood block feet, accompanie...
Upholstery, Wood
Juan Pablo Molyneux French Tufted Chaise Lounge
Located in New York, NY
Juan Pablo Molyneux French tufted chaise lounge. The chaise lounge has loose cushions, a tufted seat with ultra-suede fabric.
Ultrasuede
$6,800
H 29.93 in W 60.63 in D 28.35 in
Citterio "Sity" Chaise Lounge for B&B Italia in Black Leather on Black Leather
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Strikingly chic and elegant chaise lounge by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia. One of the most desirable and rare pieces of the Sity range from 1986. Thi...
Steel
Paul Tuttle Chariot Chaise for Strassle Intl., 1972
By Paul Tuttle
Located in Chicago, IL
Chariot chaise lounge designed by Paul Tuttle for Strassle International. Produced in Switzerland in 1972. Original camel brown leather and polished chr...
Chrome
Mario Papperzini "Amalfi" Patio Chaise Lounge for John Salterini
By Mario Papperzini, John Salterini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Papperzini "Amalfi" Patio Chaise Lounge for John Salterini
Iron
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Chaise Lounge w Knoll Fabric C1960
By Paul McCobb
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular chaise lounge chair with knoll fabric adorning it. Attributed to Paul McCobb C1960 possibly non production piece and custom made. Stong with beautiful lines that shape ou...
Fabric, Hardwood, Paint
$2,123
H 37.41 in W 27.56 in D 63 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Brown Leather Chaise Lounge Chair by Tord Björklund
By Tord Bjorklund
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
The "Skye" chaise lounge chair designed by Tord Björklund. It features a steel frame with soft brown leather after full professional renovation. Produced in Sweden in the 1980s/late ...
Steel
Post Modern Chaise Lounge Newly Upholstered in Ivory White Bouclé
By Directional, Weiman Preview Furniture, Preview
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Float away from the worries of the day in this luxurious post modern chaise lounge newly professionally upholstered in super soft ivory white bouclé. Sculptural form exudes a sophisticated look that's gentle and inviting. Ivory white bouclé fabric's texture is breathable and ventilates well. Cozy in winter and cool in summer. Enveloping padded comfort with a thick seat cushion layered over a descending pedestal base. So sexy from all sides, this chaise lounge is beautiful enough to float in a room. Modern. Fresh. Reminiscent of Vladimir Kagan, Milo Baughman and Adrian Pearsall's iconic amorphous designs. Nestle in with your favorite blanket and read for hours, nap, binge watch your favorite series, or shop 1stDibs on your electronic device...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Paul McCobb Chaise with Mahogany Legs and Brass Stretchers, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Elegant chaise model no. 5018 with mahogany legs and brass stretchers by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, American 1950s.
Brass
Paul McCobb Chaise Lounge for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Chaise lounges by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. Fully restored. Reupholstered in black leather. Polished brass stretchers.
Brass
Paul McCobb for Directional Chaise Lounge in Mohair
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Westport, CT
Rare chaise lounge designed by Paul McCobb for Directional. Newly upholstered in grey mohair. Walnut base fully restored.
Mohair, Walnut
Chaise Lounge by Paul McCobb for Calvin 1950s Mid-Century Modern
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Chaise longue / longue with back pillow by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, 1950s American mid-century modern. Completely professionally restored. Walnut, brass, upholstery.
Brass
Modern Chaise Lounge Designed by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modern chaise longue designed by Paul McCobb, American, circa 1950s. It has been completely restored in a velvety indigo blue fabric with the wood legs finished in an ultra-deep brow...
Brass
Paul McCobb Chaise Lounge
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
McCobb for Directional chaise model 5018, brass stretchers with tapered solid turned maple legs, reupholstered with cotton velvet.
Brass
Pair of Slipper Lounge Chairs by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of slipper lounge chairs by Paul McCobb. Chairs do have a table, included, that nestles between the two chairs. Dimensions: 25" ...
Clean Lined Modernist Daybed by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined modernist daybed by Paul McCobb, American, circa 1950s. It has been completely restored in an ivory color bouclé fabric and the legs have...
Brass
Clean Lined Modernist Daybed by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined modernist daybed by Paul McCobb, American, circa 1950s. It has been completely restored in an ivory color bouclé fabric and the legs have ...
Brass
Rare Chaise Lounge by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Interesting and rarely seen chaise lounge chair designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, circa 1955. Ebonized walnut frame with brass cross stretchers. Silk upholstery with stains an...
Brass