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.
1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Settee or Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Paul McCobb for Planner Group loveseat, settee or sofa. Upholstery needs to be updated as it has stains, foam is good. Price includes refinishing of legs. Measures: Seat 16" H, arm 1...
Upholstery, Wood
Rare Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb for Directional Sculptural Cubist Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare Paul McCobb for Directional sculptural cubist sofa or settee. Legs have been refinished, older reupholstery and foam must be updated. Great sleek geom...
Upholstery
Paul McCobb Curvaceous Wing Back Settee or Sofa Refinished Reupholstered
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous Wing back settee or sofa, designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, American, circa 1950s. This sofa is currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be completed in...
Upholstery, Wood
$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
$3,750
H 30.75 in W 64 in D 28 in
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs r...
Wool, Mahogany
$18,480
H 31.5 in W 64.18 in D 35.44 in
Sofa MP-163, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Design
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Crafted by the renowned master Percival Lafer in 1970, this exceptional piece of furniture boasts a striking and comfortable design. Its clean lines and unique details, such as elega...
Steel
$4,800
H 31.5 in W 59 in D 29 in
Danish Midcentury 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests by Alfred Christensen
By Alfred Christensen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Alfred Christensen designed sofa in his characteristic style of open armrests carved from solid beech wood and made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk in the 1940s. Beautiful ref...
Wool, Beech
$9,500Sale Price|24% Off
H 26.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
These lovely, lightly scaled sofas or loveseats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, are not only an uncommon form, having a matched pair available is also very rare. They are stru...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Brighton Pavilion Pagoda Loveseat, Bamboo & Rattan, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming Brighton Pavillion Pagoda style loveseat with beautiful fretwork back and sides. Very fine detail. A beautiful and special piece. Use as is or ad...
Bamboo, Rattan
Italian Mohair Settee Sofa, Brown, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful mohair upholstered curved sofa with wooden legs. Perfect shape and size. In excellent condition, 1950s, Italy. Same era as: Ch...
Mohair, Wood
$1,800
H 44 in W 67 in D 32.5 in
Antique French Mahogany Loveseat or Settee, Lion Paw Feet Unrestored c1800's
Located in Highwood, IL
Antique French settee or loveseat deconstructed and probably made in the late 1800's. When you take a hard look at the lion paw feet, you'll noti...
Fabric, Mahogany
$24,950 / set
H 38 in W 66 in D 28 in
Pair of Louis XVI Style Carved and Laqué Gilded Bergère Settees or Loveseats
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Louis XVI style carved and Laqué gilded bergère settees. The elegant pair of carved loveseats, upholstered in a blue velvet, with padded backs and sides and a cushion seat,...
Wood
Vintage Settee Loveseat by Ralph Lauren
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage Settee...
Cotton
$12,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 108 in D 57 in
Custom Mid-Century Modern Inspired Curved Sofa Couch by Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Custom Mid-Century Modern inspired curved sofa couch by Carrocel. Custom hand crafted by the artisans at Carrocel in a sleek modern fabric with unique curved design. Includes 2 match...
Fabric, Wood
Rare Pair of Predictor Line Settees or Sofas by Paul McCobb 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare Pair of Predictor Line Settees by Paul McCobb 1950s. Handsome, minimal design, armless pair of loveseat-size settees / sofas perfect to split apart or use as a single 8.5-foot ...
Brass
Paul McCobb Directional Tub Sofa
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in New Windsor, NY
Elegant and refined profile Paul McCobb tub sofa design for Directional. Upholstered seat and back resting on tapered dowel legs with a cross stretcher base. ...
Upholstery, Birch, Maple, Walnut
Paul McCobb for Directional Settee in Maple and Mohair
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Luxurious Paul McCobb settee with maple tapered legs in two-tone mohair upholstery (frame is a blue gray mohair with a subtle green undertone and cushions are a light charcoal mohair...
Mohair, Maple
Paul McCobb Settee for Directional
By Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tailored tuxedo settee with matching sofa available. Conical wooden legs and newly reupholstered in a white fabric with a woven black thread.
Fabric, Wood
Paul McCobb Green Linen Settee
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
This handsome Paul McCobb settee is reupholstered in rich green linen with gray piping and button tufting. Pale-yellow birch wood base and legs are a beaut...
Birch, Linen
The "V" Sofa by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare design by Paul McCobb for Directional.
Classic Mid-Century Paul McCobb Loveseat
By Paul McCobb
Located in Wilton, CT
Designed by Paul McCobb and manufactured by Directional Furniture. Classic Mid-Century design which has been custom upholstered in a soft white velvet. Mint condition.
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 for Widdicomb Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Last of McCobb's designs this "floating" sofa on walnut hourglass legs has a thin line profile of the early 60's. Sofa was recovered by original owner 2 years ago and fabric is still...
Walnut, Fabric