Brilliant self-trained American designer Paul McCobb collaborated with New York salesman B.G. Mesberg to create what is now a widely revered collection of mid-century modern furniture called the Planner Group. Produced by renowned manufacturer Winchendon Furniture Company, vintage Planner Group dressers, credenzas, chairs and other pieces bring honesty and heritage into any interior.
More than any other designer beside Russel Wright, the Massachusetts-born 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.
Of McCobb’s cohesive lines of furnishings, his best-known Planner Group gave homes an instant “look.” McCobb designed for several companies, most notably Directional, the New York firm he cofounded with Mesberg that also produced designs by other legends such as Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.
Known for their superior quality and affordable prices aimed at new homeowners, vintage Winchendon case furniture, side tables and desks were must-have staples for middle-class Americans in the postwar years. McCobb and Mesberg’s Planner Group for the manufacturer boasts a wide range of furnishings created in woods such as walnut and maple.
McCobb drew on the simplicity of Shaker furniture and Windsor chairs and was an advocate for modular furniture. A new homeowner could plan for properly furnishing each room with the Planner collection — a brochure touted its versatility — beginning with a couple of pieces from the series and gradually introducing more seating, cabinets and tables, stacking and combining as needed.
McCobb shared the limelight with the likes of celebrated American designers Charles and Ray Eames and was supposed to appear in a 1961 issue of Playboy magazine — a mid-century tastemaker of sorts — alongside other designers such as Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Jens Risom and Edward Wormley. A social and charismatic figure, McCobb can be found in photos from a party that took place the night before, but he was too hungover the next day to join the photo shoot.
For more than a decade beginning in 1950, the Planner designs comprised the best-selling furniture suite in the United States.
Find vintage Planner Group furniture and other Paul McCobb furniture on 1stDibs.
Paul McCobb "Tub" High Back Lounge Chair Model 3045, Priced Low for Reupholstery
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Paul McCobb "Tub" chair for the Planner Group. High back with cantilevered armrests and walnut legs. Important design in need of reupholstering and is priced accordingly. This is a great opportunity to get this chair for a low price...
Upholstery, Walnut
$7,000
H 41.5 in W 30 in D 32 in
Paul McCobb for Directional 314 Model High Back Lounge Chair in Grey Velvet
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have this absolutely gorgeous Paul McCobb for Directional, model 314 wingback lounge chair. This lounge chair is stunning-- very large in scale, and clad in fine cotton velvet that has a slight sheen. This gorgeous wingback was designed in the 1950's by Paul McCobb for Directional furniture, which is known for its high quality manufacturing. Many famed designers such as Milo Baughman, Paul Evans and even Vladimir Kagan have designed for Directional furniture, as it's truly a furniture dynasty producer of legacy furniture...
Velvet, Walnut
$3,000
H 34 in W 28 in D 31 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Model 1321 Lounge Chair in Walnut & Light Upholstery
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Paul McCobb, this chair was manufactured by Directional, who was one of many partners that McCobb worked with. A prolific designer, this chair is one of the best models o...
Upholstery, Walnut
Hollywood Regency High Back Lounge Chair
Located in Hanover, MA
Hip kitsch Hollywood Regency high back armchair upholstered in vanilla bean naughahyde with button tufted back, loose seat cushion and ...
Faux Leather
$10,969 / set
H 32.68 in W 28.75 in D 32.68 in
Outstanding, Rare Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s, For Reupholstery
By Carlo Mollino, Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An extraordinary, rare pair of Italian 1950s armchairs. Structurally sound, but the original upholstery is worn out so the chairs are sold for the customer to recover in their own c...
Wood, Fabric
$13,163 / set
H 29.93 in W 27.56 in D 29.93 in
Unique, Rare Armchairs / Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s, For Reupholstery
By Carlo Mollino, Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An extraordinary, rare pair of Italian 1950s armchairs. Designer unknown - currently under reseach. From a Milanese hotel. Structurally sound, but the original upholstery is wo...
Fabric, Wood
Original Paul McCobb High Back Lounge Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Original Paul McCobb lounge chair in umber, gray and taupe striped loose weave wool upholstery and long tapered maple legs. Great front view as well as profile with M-shaped back and...
Maple, Wood, Wool
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair This chair measures: 26 wide x 27 deep x 31 high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height/chair clearance of 22.5 inches ...
Upholstery, Walnut
$9,000 / set
H 35.5 in W 26.25 in D 29 in
Paul McCobb For Directional Highback Lounge Chairs Model No. 409
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning pair of mid-century modern, model no. 409, highback lounge chairs designed by American designer, Paul McCobb, for Directional circa 1950s. The chairs feature contoured walnu...
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 21 in D 22 in
Mid century Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain Lounge Maple Arm Chair
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful all original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain arm chair. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vintage condition. Original blonde map...
Maple
Vintage Walnut Lounge Chairs by Paul McCobb for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Paul McCobb
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut lounge chairs designed by Paul McCobb for Widdicomb, in the United States, circa 1960s. These fabulous chairs have been carefully refinished and reupholstered, giving them a fresh and vibrant appearance. Their graceful curves and refined lines exude a vintage style while resting on solid walnut legs. The curved back design provides a relaxing lumbar support, in addition to the leather piping and buttons highlighting their exceptional craftsmanship. What sets these chairs apart is their rarity; they are a limited-production model, and finding a pair is a hard find. These chairs were part of a symmetrical series, making them a coveted find for enthusiasts of fine design. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you purchase vintage furniture from Danish Modern NoHo...
Leather, Fabric, Walnut
$3,895
H 33.5 in W 28.25 in D 30.5 in
Expertly Restored -Paul McCobb "Squirm" Model-3042 Lounge Chair for Custom Craft
By Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Manufacturer Cunstom Craft ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this jour...
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
$4,700
H 29.14 in W 28.75 in D 31.89 in
Paul McCobb Lounge Chair in Original Turquoise Upholstery and Walnut
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul McCobb for Directional Designs, lounge chair, model 1322, walnut, fabric, 1950s. A design Paul McCobb model 1322 dating back to the 1950s. The quintessential design features o...
Fabric, Walnut
Captain's Chairs by Paul McCobb for Planner Group
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain arm chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vintage condition.
Maple
Pair of Paul McCobb for Planner Group Arm Chairs Circa 1950s
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of ebonized "captains" armchairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture's Planner Group, circa 1950s.
Wood
Sold
H 31 in W 21.75 in D 22.25 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Spindle Back Armchairs, Newly Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern solid maple spindle back armchairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 21.75" W x ...
Maple
Sold
H 29.75 in W 21 in D 21.5 in
Set Four Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple Captains Chairs, Model 1532
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Classic set of four Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" maple dining armchairs, 1950s. Featuring steamed bent maple arms and pegged construction. Arm height 25.5 H. ...
Maple
Sold
H 29.75 in W 21 in D 21.5 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Spindle Back Armchairs, Set of Four
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare set of four Mid-Century Modern solid maple armchairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 21"W x 21.5"D x 29.75"H. Seat height...
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Spindle Back Armchairs, Pair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare pair of Mid-Century Modern solid maple captain armchairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 21"...
Maple
Paul McCobb Club Chairs for Planner Group, Pair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Wilton, CT
A restoration with flair. A pair of club chairs designed by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, a design wonderfully executed. The proportions of this chair are quite generous yet visuall...
Velvet, Wood
Solid Maple "Planner Group" Paul McCobb Armchair for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Mid-Century Modern, maple wood, spindle back, windsor style chair by Paul McCobb for Planner Group in restored condition.
Sold
H 30.91 in W 21.86 in L 30.91 in
Stained Solid Maple "Planner Group" Paul McCobb Armchair for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Mid-Century Modern, maple wood, spindle back, windsor style chair by Paul McCobb for Planner Group in restored condition.
Maple
Set of Four Paul McCobb Planner Group Chairs
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Set of four circa 1952 Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon birch armchairs. With a saddled seat, curved crest rail and angled tapered legs.
Birch
Paul McCobb Lounge Chairs for Winchendon, Planner Group Series
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Paul McCobb. Manufacturer: Winchendon. Period and model: Mid-Century Modern, Planner Group Series. Specifications: Maple (possibly walnut), caning, fabric. Conditio...
Cane, Fabric, Maple
Pair of Paul McCobb Dark Maple Modern Windsor Style Armchairs
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Paul McCobb for the Planner Group maple wood arm chairs refinished in dark walnut. Modern take on the traditional style Windsor chair, barrel back with the McCobb "shovel" se...
Maple