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.
Pair of New Red Upholstery Square Brass Frames Benches Stools by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern brass benches by Paul McCobb.
Brass
Paul McCobb for Directional Rectangular Blue Leather and Walnut Ottoman
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century rectangular ottoman with a blue leather upholstered seat resting on a walnut frame with tapered legs. (PAUL MCCOBB FOR DIRECTIONAL) Leather is cracking.
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Vintage Paul McCobb Stool Ottoman Bench Seat Mid Century Modern
By Paul McCobb
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Vintage Paul McCobb Stool Ottoman Bench Seat is a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture from the 1950s, manufactured in the United States. It is a...
Iron
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
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
Modern Leather Arch Base Ottoman
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern leather arch base ottoman. Crafted in rich brown leather, this ottoman is accented with small brass nailhead trim. The unique open decorative arched base makes this small st...
Leather
$1,188 / item
H 15.95 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Sculptural Pouf - Ottoman DROVA 4 in Woolland fabric for Contemporary Interior
By Dmitriy Kozinenko
Located in Kyiv, UA
Ottoman pouf Drova 4, a versatile and stylish addition to your living space. Handcrafted with precision in Ukraine, this cube pouf embodies the perfect fusio...
Steel
Pair of Beige Stools, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful, well crafted beige upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, character...
Velvet
$4,196 / item
H 15 in W 25.5 in D 15 in
Contemporary Repose Ottoman Footstool Black Smoke Steel & Natural Leather
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Repose contemporary ottoman and footstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turn...
Brass, Steel
Set of Three Italian Brass Chiavari Round Stools
By Fratelli Levaggi/Guiseppe Gaetano Descalzi
Located in Hanover, MA
Extremely rare set of three round brass Chiavari stools, made in Italy, circa 1960. Four legs with flared tapered legs around an upper and lower brass ring. Fitted round seat upholst...
Brass
$1,032
H 12.6 in Dm 20.87 in
De Sede DS-80 Black Patchwork Leather Pouf, Ottoman, Stool, DeSede Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Unique and decorative handmade De Sede DS-80 pouf in black leather. The pouf is in very good condition. - Two identical in stock -
Leather
Pair of 20th Century Green Stools, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful velvet green upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic...
Velvet, Beech
De Sede Deep Tan Leather Patchwork Ottoman, 1970s Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous deep tan-colored leather pouf/ottoman by Swiss designer De Sede with square patchwork. Handmade with wonderful faded patina. Gorgeous accent piece. Good vintage condition. W...
Leather
$695 / set
H 15.75 in W 25.2 in D 14.97 in
Pair of Midcentury Leopard Velvet Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful leopard high-quality upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. We can prepare this stools also in another option of fabric and wood. Please check the last pictures with color samples.
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Pair of Fine French Art Deco X-Form Stools
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of fine French 1940s X-form stool in cherry wood.
Wood
Pair of Luigi Colii Attributed Stools, Italy, 1940s
By Pier Luigi Colli
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very charming pair of hammered-iron stools, attributed to Italian designer Pier Luigi Colli. The iron is painted in original off-white color (cream). Newly upholstered with vintage, ...
Wrought Iron
$2,395 / set
H 19 in W 20 in D 15 in
Vintage Pair of Faux Bamboo Ottomans Benches Stools Floral New Upholstery
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
A pair of Faux bamboo benches or ottomans with slightly splayed legs and X stretchers. An opulent, exotic mix of Chinoiserie, Indian (Indo-Saracenic), and Chinese-inspired designs; n...
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo, Wood
Sold
H 17.5 in W 21.5 in D 21.5 in
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Iron Stool or Ottoman, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Minimalist Mid-Century Modern stool or ottoman By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Iron legs, with upholstered seat. Me...
Iron
Sold
H 15 in W 26 in D 19 in
Paul McCobb Symmetric Group Widdicomb Ottoman Hourglass Walnut Legs Midcentury
By Paul McCobb, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb "symmetric group" ottoman for widdicomb with hourglass turn carved walnut legs.
Walnut
Sold
H 16 in W 20 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group All Round Square Stools Winchendon, Mid-Century Modern
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Topeka, KS
Two all round square stools by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group for Winchendon. These two are priced separately. One, lightest in color, is in wonderful vintage condition all ‘round...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Stools by Paul McCobb for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of brass stools with mohair upholstery. Designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin.
Faux-Mongolian Lamb Paul McCobb Ottoman
By Paul McCobb
Located in Wilton, CT
Classic 1950's iron base ottoman designed by Paul McCobb. We have re-upholstered this classic piece in a rich, white faux Mongolian Lamb fabric.
Iron