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.
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
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
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
$15,633
H 39.38 in W 77.56 in D 41.34 in
Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles Serpentine Shaped Sofa, Settee Upholstered
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles serpentine-shaped sofa. Featuring carved detailing, decorated with floral motifs and acanthus, with original Verd...
Walnut
$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
$3,750
H 32.5 in W 57 in D 27.5 in
Danish 1950s Settee with Wooden Armrest by Orla Mølgaard Amber Colored Frame
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant Danish 1950s settee raised on a amber colored beech frame and legs. Attributed to Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. We love how the armrests continue into the front l...
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 Charlotte Perriand, Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier
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
$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 São 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
Finn Juhl Style Sofa or Loveseat by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1940s
By Finn Juhl, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superbly elegant Finn Juhl style sofa or settee made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Denmark sometime in the 1940s. Perfectly balanced lines and proportions providing for a solid and sturdy ...
Wool, Beech
$8,600
H 33.5 in W 57 in D 32 in
Finn Juhl Attributed Danish Loveseat Model 188 by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1950s DN
By Finn Juhl, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superbly elegant Finn Juhl attributed sofa or settee made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Denmark sometime in the 1940s as Model Number 188. The lines and proportions of this design are just...
Wool, Beech
$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
$3,151Sale Price|50% Off
H 40.16 in W 80.71 in D 35.44 in
Attributed Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Italian High Back Sofa, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Three-seater sofa attributed Gio Ponti, production in the early 1950s, with high backrest, the upholstery is in velvet but replacement is recommended, feet and structure in beech.
Velvet, Beech
$2,250 / set
H 30 in W 22 in D 22 in
Pair Planner Group Arm Chairs by Paul McCobb for the Planner Group, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Arm Chairs. Solid Maple construction with original black lacquer finish. Original condition with wear. Structurally sound and ready to use.
Maple
Wavy Back Sofa Upholstered in Lelievre Wool Boucle
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An elegant modern scallop back sofa upholstered in Lelievre Lama Naturel wool boucle. Also available in COM - please enquire. Fast shipping worl...
Fabric, Wood
$1,195
H 27.5 in W 57.5 in D 35.5 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cork and Chrome Settee
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates mid century cork and chrome settee The settee measures: 57.5 wide x 35.5 deep x 27.5 high, with a seat height of 16 inches and arm height of 22 ...
Chrome
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 Directional, Paul McCobb
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