Planner Group Benches

American

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.

Creator: Planner Group

Rare Mid-Century Paul McCobb #1584 Coffee Table Bench All Black

$3,275

Rare Mid-Century Paul McCobb #1584 Coffee Table Bench All Black

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1584 - 60 inch coffee table bench all original black Lacquer finish, Minimalist Iron structure with 2 drawers...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Benches

Materials

Iron

Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron & Tobacco Finish Birch Higher Coffee Table, Bench

$1,500

Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron & Tobacco Finish Birch Higher Coffee Table, Bench

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Early Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group high Coffee Table, Bench. Bed End Bench. Nightstand, 1950s. Featuring an open sturdy rectangular, braced thre...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Iron

Beautifully Refinished Paul McCobb Planner Group Coffee Table

$1,799

H 16 in W 54 in D 20 in

Beautifully Refinished Paul McCobb Planner Group Coffee Table

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful solid wood coffee table. From the Planner Group line designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Company. Retains original manufacturer’s label and guaranteed authenti...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Benches

Materials

Maple

Paul McCobb Planner Group Desk in Tobacco Finish

$3,400

H 29 in W 53 in D 26.25 in

Paul McCobb Planner Group Desk in Tobacco Finish

By Paul McCobb

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Classic mid-century modern double pedestal desk designed by Paul McCobb for the Planner Group, produced by Winchendon. Features clean lines, signature tapered legs, and ample storage...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Benches

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Reed Side Table

$1,485

H 21.25 in W 28 in D 18 in

Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Reed Side Table

By Winchendon, Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in New Windsor, NY

Planner Group side table designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Circa 1955. Featuring a birch top, iron frame and split reed lower shelf. Good overall honest wear and overall condit...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Iron

Mid Century Kipp Stewart Drexel Coffee Table Bench

$1,276Sale Price|20% Off

H 16.5 in W 59.5 in D 16 in

Mid Century Kipp Stewart Drexel Coffee Table Bench

By Bassett Furniture

Located in Baltimore, MD

A beautiful, mid-century, modern, retro, 1960’s, Danish style, coffee table/ bench, by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel, from the Declaration series. The perfect length...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Walnut

Paul McCobb Maple 48 inch Coffee Table/Bench for Winchendon Planner Group

$1,200

H 15 in W 48 in D 18 in

Paul McCobb Maple 48 inch Coffee Table/Bench for Winchendon Planner Group

By Paul McCobb

Located in New York, NY

Beautiful iconic maple 48” long coffee table or bench designed by Paul McCobb.. This mid century table was part of the planner group made for Winchendon Company . Circa 1950s/1960s. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Benches

Materials

Maple

Mid century Paul McCobb Iron base Coffee Table Bench Blonde Maple top

$2,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 16 in W 60 in D 18 in

Mid century Paul McCobb Iron base Coffee Table Bench Blonde Maple top

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group solid maple 60 inch coffee table bench blonde maple - Minimalist in original blonde finish. Very delicate designed coffee table with iron rod base...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Benches

Materials

Iron

Paul McCobb for Lane Delineator Mid Century Walnut Coffee Table

$1,895

H 15 in W 56 in D 19 in

Paul McCobb for Lane Delineator Mid Century Walnut Coffee Table

By Paul McCobb, Lane Furniture

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Paul McCobb for Lane Delineator Mid Century Walnut Coffee Table Coffee table measures: 56 wide x 19 deep x 15 inches high All pieces of furniture c...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Walnut

Paul Mccobb for Calvin Mid Century Large Walnut Coffee Table

$1,995

H 16.5 in W 54 in D 32 in

Paul Mccobb for Calvin Mid Century Large Walnut Coffee Table

By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture

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...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Coffee Table by Paul McCobb for Planner Group

$1,895

H 20.25 in W 32 in D 32.5 in

Mid-Century Coffee Table by Paul McCobb for Planner Group

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Raleigh, NC

Mid-century minimalistic coffee table designed by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, USA. This low-profile coffee table is made from beautifully crafted solid maple wood. Flared long leg...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Wood, Maple

Low Planner Group Coffee Table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon

$3,794Sale Price|20% Off

H 11.03 in Dm 36.23 in

Low Planner Group Coffee Table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Berlin, DE

A rare low round Planner Group coffee table by Paul McCobb, in excellent condition in clear maple.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Maple

Midcentury Paul McCobb #1546 Coffee Table Bench Blonde Maple Finish

$1,480Sale Price|20% Off

H 15 in W 60 in D 18 in

Midcentury Paul McCobb #1546 Coffee Table Bench Blonde Maple Finish

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1546 solid maple 60 inch coffee table bench blonde maple finish - Minimalist refinished in original raw blonde finish. Professionally sprayed. Ve...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Benches

Materials

Maple

Paul McCobb Coffee Table

$4,800

H 16 in Dm 36 in

Paul McCobb Coffee Table

By Paul McCobb, Winchendon

Located in Chicago, IL

Paul McCobb Coffee Table, Planner Group by Winchendon 1950, Maple Top with Wrought Iron frame. Signed on the underside, Paul McCobb

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Previously Available Items

Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Maple Coffee Table, Newly Refinished

Sold

H 16.5 in W 60 in D 24 in

Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Maple Coffee Table, Newly Refinished

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Mid-Century Modern coffee table or bench By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Iron frame and solid maple top, with black lacquered drawers...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Paul McCobb Side Table Black Lacquer

Sold

H 15 in W 18 in D 24 in

Mid-Century Paul McCobb Side Table Black Lacquer

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1546 solid maple side table or small coffee table with original heavy black lacquer finish with nice patina. Very delicate designed coffee table ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Benches

Materials

Maple, Lacquer

Midcentury Paul McCobb Coffee Table Black Lacquer

Sold

H 15 in W 34 in D 34 in

Midcentury Paul McCobb Coffee Table Black Lacquer

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1546 solid maple 32'' square inch coffee table / bench in original heavy black lacquer finish with nice patina. Very delicate designed coffee tab...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Benches

Materials

Maple, Lacquer

Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Leather & Iron Bench for Winchendon Furniture

Sold

H 18 in W 34 in D 18 in

Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Leather & Iron Bench for Winchendon Furniture

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Paul McCobb "Planner Group" leather & iron bench for Winchendon Furniture.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Iron

American Mid-Century Low Bench by Paul McCobb

Sold

H 10 in W 18 in D 52 in

American Mid-Century Low Bench by Paul McCobb

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in Minneapolis, MN

A low bench, plant stand, tv table object storage piece or stand alone design element for any room. This piece is low enough to stack on other table surfaces for a layered modern loo...

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Benches

Materials

Maple

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Coffee Table or Bench, Refinished

Sold

H 14.75 in W 60 in D 18 in

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Coffee Table or Bench, Refinished

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in South Bend, IN

A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern coffee table or bench By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid birch Measures: 60"...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Birch, Lacquer

Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb for Planner Group Coffee Table or Bench

Sold

H 15 in W 48 in D 18 in

Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb for Planner Group Coffee Table or Bench

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1544 solid maple 48 inch coffee table or bench in blonde maple finish with nice patina. Very delicate designe...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Benches

Materials

Maple

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Coffee Table or Bench, Refinished

Sold

H 15 in W 36 in D 18 in

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Coffee Table or Bench, Refinished

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in South Bend, IN

A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern coffee table or bench By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid birch Measures: 36"...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Birch, Lacquer

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Coffee Table or Bench, Refinished

Sold

H 15 in W 60 in D 18.25 in

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Coffee Table or Bench, Refinished

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in South Bend, IN

A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern coffee table or bench By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid birch Measures: 60"...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Birch, Lacquer

Midcentury Paul McCobb Coffee Table / Bench

Sold

H 15 in W 48 in D 18 in

Midcentury Paul McCobb Coffee Table / Bench

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1546 solid maple 60 inch coffee table / bench in tobacco dark brown finish with nice patina. Very delicate de...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Benches

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Maple

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Coffee Table, Newly Restored

Sold

H 14.88 in W 60 in L 14.88 in

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Coffee Table, Newly Restored

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in South Bend, IN

A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern black lacquered solid maple coffee table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Maple, Lacquer

Paul McCobb Planner Group Custom Maple and Leather Bench, 1950s

Sold

H 16 in W 60.75 in D 16.25 in

Paul McCobb Planner Group Custom Maple and Leather Bench, 1950s

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in South Bend, IN

A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern bench By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple legs, with leather-wrapped top. Measures: 60.7...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Benches

Materials

Leather, Maple

Planner Group benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Planner Group benches are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Planner Group benches, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original benches by Planner Group were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider benches by Thayer Coggin, Fredericia, and Charles and Ray Eames. Prices for Planner Group benches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,595 and can go as high as $4,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,620.