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.
$9,500 / set
Paul McCobb for Calvin Dining Set
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Dining Set, Features Six Dining Chairs, Two Arm Chairs, and Four Side Chairs, a Rectangular Table in mahogany veneer original medium tone with a solid brass st...
Brass
Paul McCobb Iron Dining Set Pavilion Collection for Arbuck Indoor or Outdoor
By Arbuck, Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Architectural Design Iron Dining Set, designed by Paul McCobb for Arbuck, American, circa 1950s. It is a versatile set and can be used indoors or outdoors. The set consists of t...
Iron
Dining Room Set by Paul McCobb, Irwin Collection, Circa 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Westport, CT
Elevate your dining experience with our exquisite seven-piece dining set, a vintage masterpiece designed by the renowned Paul McCobb for The Calvin Group, dating back to the illustri...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Set by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by the legendary Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture’s celebrated Irwin Collection, this exceptional mid-century modern dining set embodies the refined simplicity and timeless ...
Brass
$6,800 / set
Mid-Century Paul McCobb Calvin Group Dining Set
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage dining set features the unique Mid-Century design of Paul McCobb produced for the Calvin group. Stylish aluminum trim contrasts with the rich walnut finish of this expan...
Fabric, Walnut
Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Suite for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Exquisite Planner Group dining table and four 'bowtie' chairs in black lacquer by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. The dining table features long splayed and tapered legs joined by elegan...
Wood
Paul McCobb Dining Table in Your Color Choice
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paul McCobb dining table for Calvin, American, circa 1950s. Elegant design with brass stretcher. This table is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice of color...
Metal, Brass
$4,995 / set
H 35.25 in W 21 in D 19.5 in
MCM Dining Chairs Planner Group by Paul McCobb for Winchendon, Set 5
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
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
$1,795
H 36 in W 24 in D 25.5 in
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mid-Century Modern Walnut Cane Back Armchair
By Paul McCobb, Directional, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern armchair or dining captain chair By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s Sculpted walnut frame...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
$1,895 / set
H 33 in W 28 in D 23 in
Midcentury Outdoor Dining Iron 8 Piece Set John Salterini Large Glass Top Table
By John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 8 piece set consisting of a large dining table from the early 50s, heavy decorative iron with a large beveled glass top. 6 armchairs from the late...
Steel, Iron
Paul McCobb Planner Group Side Tables for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Paul McCobb design Planner Group side tables for Winchendon Furniture. Original matched pair in solid maple with brass cone shape pulls, labeled and in very good original con...
Maple
$2,795 / set
H 31.25 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in L 19.5 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Spindle Back Dining Chairs, 4/Set
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Southampton, NJ
An exceptional set of iconic Mid-Century Modern solid Maple spindle back dining chairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s. Dimensions: 19.5"W x 19....
Maple
$3,850
H 15.5 in W 60 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb Travertine and Brass Coffee Table Mid Century Modern circa 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Coffee Table in Travertine and Brass, designed by Paul McCobb, American, circa 1950s. It has a clean lined, architectural design. The brass retains its original patina with v...
Travertine, Brass, Metal
Paul Mccobb for Calvin Mid Century Large Walnut Coffee Table
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Mccobb for Calvin mid century large walnut coffee table This table measures: 54 wide x 32 deep x 16.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restor...
Walnut
$3,500 / set
H 15.25 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
Paul McCobb Leather Top Side Tables w/ Cane Shelves for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut Wood, Original Cane Shelves, Original Leather Tops, Brass Accent Trims ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture...
Brass
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 26 in W 21 in D 21 in
1960s Paul McCobb Linear Side Table for Calvin Walnut & Aluminum
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a vintage Side End table Designed by Paul McCobb Linear for Calvin Furniture Co. Linear designs with drawer Walnut and aluminum label present 24 h x 21 x 21...
Aluminum
$1,400
H 29.52 in W 31.5 in D 59 in
New Garden, Patio or Dining Table in Wrought Iron. Indoor & Outdoor
Located in Miami, FL
New garden, patio or dining table in wrought iron. You can choose this pattern in round or rectangular table and then, choose the top (glass, mosaic, marble, ceramic...) and color...
Wrought Iron
$4,347 / set
H 34.25 in W 16.5 in D 20.75 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 16.5 wide x 20.75 deep x 34.25 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 17.5 inches ...
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
1960s iron Salterini outdoor bistro dining set, table and two chairs
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Wrought iron patio Salterini “Radar” Collection bistro set with two hoop dining height chairs and a table. Designed by Maurizio Tempestini...
Wrought Iron
Rare Dining Room Set by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, USA, c. 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing the exquisite vintage expanding dining table from the renowned designer Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. This timeless set, part of the lauded Irwin Collection, showcase...
Mahogany
Paul McCobb Dining Chairs Set of Six Refinished & Reupholstered
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Six Mid Century Dining Chairs, designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture's Directional Line, American, circa 1950s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reuphols...
Upholstery, Wood
Paul McCobb for Calvin Dining Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Mid Century Dining Table, designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture's Directional Line, American, circa 1960s. The table expands from a 48" round to a 68" width oval with ...
Metal
Sold
H 35.75 in W 22.75 in D 22.5 in
1950s Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Mahogany Dining Set - 9 Pieces
By Paul McCobb
Located in Monrovia, CA
Paul McCobb "Connoisseur Collection" designed by Paul McCobb. "Connoisseur collection" mahogany dining table and dining chairs for H. Sacks & sons, Brookline MA, USA 1950s sleek mid ...
Brass
Rare Paul McCobb Blonde Planner Group Extension Table with Six Chairs
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Ferndale, MI
Paul McCobb designed dining table with six matching dining chairs from the Planner group series for Winchendon Furniture. Estate fresh and fine original condition. Table top shows ve...
Maple
Paul McCobb Black Lacquer and Brass Dining Set, Fully Restored
By Directional, H Sacks & Sons, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and outstanding Mid-Century Modern dining set By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection", with chairs from McCobb's "Irwin Collection" for Directional ...
Brass
Paul McCobb Maple Dining Room Set/ Table, 2 Leaves and 6 Chairs
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Company, dining room set. Bought from the Original owners and newly refinished. 1 Captain's chair, measuring 22" wide. 32" high, 21" deep. 3 of t...
Maple
Sold
H 31.25 in W 19.25 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb Black Lacquered Extension Dining Table with 10 Chairs, Refinished
By Directional, Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional and very versatile Mid-Century Modern extension dining table with a set of ten spindle back chairs By Paul McCobb The table is from the "Irwin Collection" produc...
Brass
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mid-Century Modern Dining Set, 1950s
By Calvin Furniture, Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern dining table and eight chairs By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s B...
Aluminum
Paul McCobb Midcentury Planner Group Dining Set
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A five-piece Paul McCobb dining set including all solid maple drop-leaf table and four matching T-Back dining chairs with conical legs model # 1...
Maple
Paul McCobb X-Base Dining Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paul McCobb X-base modern dining table, American, circa 1950s. This table has been refinished in an ultra-deep brown lacquer. This table does not have any leaves.
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 29.5 in W 16.88 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Dining Set, Newly Restored
By Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern seven-piece dining set including drop-leaf harvest table and six spindle back dining chairs Designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group...
Birch