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 Symmetric Group 3-Piece Channel Back Sectional Sofa -Widdicomb 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptional and highly collectible three-piece sectional sofa designed by Paul McCobb for his celebrated Symmetric Group line in the 1950s. This rare modular example embodies McCo...
Fabric, Walnut
Paul McCobb Sectional Corner Sofa Custom Craft/ Planner Group Newly Upholstered
By Custom Craft Inc., Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Sectional corner sofa by Paul McCobb for Custom craft or Planner Group, US. Newly upholstered with fabric by Chase Erwin.
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Paul McCobb for Directional Two-Piece Cream White Sectional Sofa, 1958, Brass
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paul McCobb for Directional, two piece sectional sofa, c 1958. Cream on cream minimal Jacobean floral textile and solid brass. Two parts can be used together as one long sofa or as separate pieces. Gorgeous lines and minimal modern design. Single cushions for seat and back delineate each part but come together to form a sleek, neatly symmetrical (yet one-armed) sofa, comprised of a armless. Vintage Scalamandre pillows in main photo are for display only and NOT included with sofa. Settee and one arm loveseat...
Brass
$6,375Sale Price / set|25% Off
McCobb Walnut and Brass Burnt Orange Sectional Sofa
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Miami, FL
All original Paul McCobb walnut and brass two piece sectional sofa from the designer's coveted Directional collection. The rare Mid-Century Modern set features: a model 5006-L left arm sofa; a model 5004-R right arm loveseat; set-in arm detail; original burnt orange wool fabric; walnut legs; brass stretchers. 100% original condition. The perfect seating arrangement to accent any decor! The couch measures approximately 77.5 in (196.85 cm) W x 34.5 in (87.63 cm) D x 32.5 in (82.55 cm) H. The settee measures approximately 51.5 in (130.81 cm) W x 34.5 in (87.63 cm) D x 32.5 in (82.55 cm) H. The two pieces can also be used together to create one long sofa measuring 129.75 inches (329.56 cm). The dimensions listed under Item Details are if the two pieces are used as a sectional with a square corner table...
Brass
$2,230 / set
H 29.5 in W 17 in D 19 in
1950s Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Planner for Group Dining Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Charleston, SC
A set of four dining chairs Designed by Paul McCobb's iconic for Winchendon Furniture Planner Group series, manufactured from 1950-1964. These chairs have been professionally resto...
Maple
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.5 in W 115 in D 35 in
Wonderful 2 Piece Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa Mid-century
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful 2 piece signed Harvey Probber sectional sofa. This piece is in vintage condition with it's original floral tapesty fabric which does show wear. This sofa will definitely n...
Upholstery
Sectional Sofa by Jorge Zalszupin for L'Atelier
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in San Francisco, CA
Amazing nine-piece sectional sofa by Jorge Zalszupin for L'Atelier. Seven of the pieces are similar shaped, much like slipper chairs on their own and two are triangularly-shaped, ser...
Leather, Rosewood
Italian Sectional Sofa in Red Orange Patterned Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sectional sofa, fabric, beech, Italy, 1970s. This Italian modular sofa is designed in the seventies and contains six elements. Therefore, the sofa becomes very versatile as it allow...
Fabric, Beech
$3,746Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 35.25 in W 21 in D 19.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Dining Chairs Paul McCobb for Winchendon Set 5
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous set of five Mid-Century Modern Planner Group style #1534 dining chairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Comprised of a dark walnut finished maple. They have been newly upholstered at some point in their recent past in a brown background fabric with chenille squiggly undulating lines in gold and turquoise or teal. Beautiful condition with age-appropriate wear as you would expect with vintage pieces. Two of the chair backs do have small nicks. One has been repaired. All chairs have been re-glued. We have used restore-a-finish on the original finish to bring back its original shine. Please see photos. Circa 1949-1964. Simply Amazing!! What a fabulous set of five Mid-Century Modern dining chairs! They are part of the Planner Group for Winchendon designed by internationally known and revered designer Paul McCobb. They are style number 1534, and they are comprised of a beautiful maple frame with a dark walnut finish. The foam seats are covered in a brown chenille fabric with raised fiber squiggly undulating lines in colors of gold and turquoise or maybe its teal. The fabric is so awesome it reminds us of a comfy chenille bedspread...
Fabric, Maple
$24,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 180 in D 34 in
Stunning Hollywood Regency Tufted 2-Piece Curved Sectional Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Hollywood Regency an extra long two-part sofa with a deep tufted back. The sofa splits in the centre, each side has a single seat cushion with rounded outer edge on an upholstered base, the extension has a tufted top and also has a curved edge. The sofa comes with two matching tufted foot stools...
Upholstery
$12,289Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 24.41 in W 137.8 in D 63 in
COR Trio Sectional Sofa in New Burnt Orange Fabric, Germany / Switzerland, 1972
By Team Form AG, COR
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
This COR TRIO sofa has been new upholstered in an amazing burnt orange high pole velvet fabric, just like the original orange. The fabric is extremely comfortable and cozy. We have m...
Fabric
$5,850
H 26 in W 95 in D 66 in
Fabulous Milo Baughman 5 Piece Curved Back Sectional Sofa Mid-Century Modern
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 5 piece curved back cube sectional sofa. This sectional has some wear to the original fabric and will need to be reupholstered. The sofa meas...
Upholstery
$2,000 / set
H 32 in W 19 in D 18 in
4 Mid-Century Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Chairs Maple Spindle Back Chairs
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of 4 All original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group spindle back side chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vintage condition. Original blon...
Maple
Mid-Century Slat Back Sectional Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique two-piece sectional sofa features vintage vinyl upholstery and a sturdy American walnut frame. Each piece features one brass studded sculpted armrest, can be placed side ...
Faux Leather, Walnut
$8,995 / set
H 30.25 in W 20 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered T-Back Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of eight Mid-Century Modern T-back dining chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid sculpted maple, in black lacque...
Maple, Lacquer
$4,795 / set
H 30.25 in W 21.5 in D 21 in
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner group mid century dining chairs - set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 20.25 wide x 19 deep x 30.25 high, with a seat height of 18 inches Each captains c...
Wood
Paul McCobb Two Piece Sectional Sofa for Directional
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A wonderful two piece sectional designed by Paul McCobb for Directional. Features conical walnut feet with brass stretchers running front to back. Designed with the idea of an end ta...
Upholstery
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 2 Piece 4-Seat Sectional Sofa
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 2-piece 4-seat sectional sofa Each piece is 51 wide x 32 deep x 31 inches high, and a total combined width of 102; the seat height is 17.5 ...
Upholstery, Wood
Paul McCobb for Custom Craft 3 Piece Sectional Sofa
By Custom Craft Inc., Paul McCobb
Located in Southampton, NJ
3 piece sectional sofa designed by Paul McCobb for custom craft having brass legs, newly upholstered in a light gray soft wool. Incredibly soft and comfor...
Brass
Paul McCobb Sofa
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional, three-seat sofa, loos cushion back with black lacquered solid walnut legs. Rebuilt and reupholstered with great plains nubby wool.
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 30 in W 73 in D 29 in
Symmetric Group Sectional Sofa Set by Paul McCobb for Widdicomb, 1960, Signed
By Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare living room set is part of the 'The Symmetric Group' line by Paul McCobb for Widdicomb, signed with original label under the seat, and has been recently reupholstered in Kn...
Fabric, Walnut
Paul McCobb for Widdicomb Sectional Sofa
By Paul McCobb, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Three piece sectional sofa designed by Paul McCobb for Widdicomb. Rebuilt and restored to exact specifications, including quilted pattern under seat cushion. Solid oiled turned waln...
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage Brass Sectional Sofa by Paul McCobb for Directional
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Amazing vintage two piece sectional sofa designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, circa 1950s. This wonderful sofa has a particular and modern design, joining at an angle appropriate...
Brass
Paul McCobb Sectional Sofa for Custom Craft
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Paul McCobb two pieces sofa with tapered mahogany legs and tufted seat and back. Loveseat section 48" long, chair section 28" wide.
Mahogany, Upholstery
Sold
H 27 in W 132 in D 72 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Sectional Sofa. Two Pieces with Satin Chrome Legs.
By Paul McCobb
Located in Kansas City, MO
Paul McCobb two piece sectional sofa with nickel plated brass legs and frame. This sofa was reupholstered approximately 15 years ago and shows minor signs of wear. The color is a l...
Brass, Nickel
Sold
H 32.5 in W 85 in D 34.5 in
Paul McCobb Three Chair Sofa Sectional for Directional by Custom Craft
By Paul McCobb
Located in Hanover, MA
Mid-1950's sectional sofa design by Paul McCobb for Directional by Custom Craft in seldom seen 3-piece linear configuration. Single arm chair (right), slipper chair and single arm ch...
Modern Settee by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Westport, CT
Sleek mid-century modern sofa / settee by Paul McCobb, base newly refinished in a rich dark chocolate tone - newly upholstered in a very handsome beige/grey tweed.
Wood, Upholstery
Paul McCobb Directional Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A hard to find two piece McCobb sofa set from the Metric Group with brass legs and base consisting of # 8018 Room divider sofa and # 8026 left arm tuxedo arm sofa...
Brass