Planner Group Stools

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

Set of Three Paul McCobb Wrought Iron Stools, Mid-Century Modern, USA

$3,950 / set

Set of Three Paul McCobb Wrought Iron Stools, Mid-Century Modern, USA

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in Berlin, DE

Paul McCobb Iron stools with new light leather upholstery.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Iron

Wonderful Pair of Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Stools Benches Mid-Century Modern

$1,200 / set

H 14.5 in Dm 17 in

Wonderful Pair of Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Stools Benches Mid-Century Modern

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Wonderful pair of Arthur Umanoff stacking stools from the 1964 Grenada Collection for Boyuer Scott, Shaver Howard collections. This pair is in wonderful vintage condition with a love...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Iron

Set of Mid-Century Modern Bar Stools

$2,500 / set

H 30 in W 15.5 in D 15.5 in

Set of Mid-Century Modern Bar Stools

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This stunning set of four vintage modern bar stools feature a backless seat and a chrome base with a footrest. The two-tone vinyl is sure to complement a...

Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Wrought Iron Bar Stools, Set of 3

$1,200 / set

H 45 in W 18 in D 18 in

Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Wrought Iron Bar Stools, Set of 3

Located in Miami, FL

Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Wrought Iron Bar Stools Offered for sale are the last 3 Mid-Century Modern sculptural wrought iron bar stools which were from a larger group. The stool...

Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Paul McCobb Brass Stools Silver Shagreen Leather

$7,400 / set

H 15.5 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in

Pair of Paul McCobb Brass Stools Silver Shagreen Leather

By Paul McCobb

Located in Westport, CT

Pair of Paul McCobb brass stools, shagreen silver leather, with brass criss-cross bases, adjustable feet.

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Mid Century Iron Stool

$1,347

H 18 in W 21 in D 21 in

Paul McCobb Mid Century Iron Stool

By Paul McCobb

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Paul McCobb mid century iron stool. This stool measures: 21 wide x 21 deep x 18 inches high. All pieces of furniture can be had in w...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Iron

1950's Mid-Century Modern Tony Paul Style Leather Bar Stools - a Pair

$1,699

H 30 in W 14.5 in D 14.5 in

1950's Mid-Century Modern Tony Paul Style Leather Bar Stools - a Pair

By Frederic Weinberg, Tony Paul, Dan Johnson, Paul McCobb

Located in Burbank, CA

Pair of original vintage Midcentury Modern barstools for sale. From the 1950's, and have a great classic design and style. They have four hairpin legs in black iron, and have been re...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Metal

Set of Three Wrought Iron Bar Stools After Frederick Weinberg

$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 40 in W 15 in D 17 in

Set of Three Wrought Iron Bar Stools After Frederick Weinberg

By Frederic Weinberg

Located in Chicago, IL

ONLY THREE STOOLS LEFT. Very much like the "hair pin" stools by Frederick Weinberg Inc, with the square raised foot rest and black lacquered wrought iron bent rod bases. Heathered co...

Category

1950s American Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Swivel Counter Bar Stool Pair

$595 / set

H 42 in W 16.5 in D 18.5 in

Mid Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Swivel Counter Bar Stool Pair

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Mid Century Modern Swivel Seat Arthur Umanoff Style Wrought Iron Counter Bars...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Stools

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vintage Mid-Century American Modern Wrought Iron Stool/Ottoman by Paul McCobb

$1,200

H 15.25 in W 20 in D 20 in

Vintage Mid-Century American Modern Wrought Iron Stool/Ottoman by Paul McCobb

By Paul McCobb

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Wrought iron and white naugahyde "All Round Square" stool/ottoman Model #1305 designed by Paul McCobb (ca. 1960s, USA). Original condition with wear to the naugahyde from age/use (ti...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Iron

Vintage Italian Wrought Iron Curule Stools, Set of Three, Circa 1950s

$800 / item

H 18 in W 17.5 in D 13.75 in

Vintage Italian Wrought Iron Curule Stools, Set of Three, Circa 1950s

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Vintage Italian Curule style Wrought Iron Stools. A set of three are available, but priced individually.

Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Planner Group Stools

Materials

Iron

Arthur Umanoff Set of 4 Rattan Wrought Iron Bar Stools with Matching Bar

$3,400 / set

H 40 in W 42 in D 16 in

Arthur Umanoff Set of 4 Rattan Wrought Iron Bar Stools with Matching Bar

By Arthur Umanoff, Paul McCobb

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff wrought iron and rattan bar and bar stools.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Stools

Materials

Rattan

Mid-Century Modern Bar Stools by Arthur Umanoff, Wrought Iron, 1960

$1,100

H 45.5 in W 21 in D 18 in

Mid-Century Modern Bar Stools by Arthur Umanoff, Wrought Iron, 1960

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Stamford, CT

The swinging 1960s! Two 1960s wrought iron stools by Arthur Umanoff, Rye and Gin with orange vinyl seats. Seat height is 29.5 inches.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Wrought Iron

Previously Available Items

Paul McCobb Mid-Century Iron Stool with New Leather Upholstery

Sold

H 16 in W 20 in D 20 in

Paul McCobb Mid-Century Iron Stool with New Leather Upholstery

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Mid-Century Modern iron stool by Paul McCobb. Newly reupholstered as they originally were, with no-sag springs, foam and a thick brown leather. ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Iron

Paul McCobb Set of Two Mid-Century Iron Stools with New Leather Upholstery

Sold

H 16 in W 20 in D 20 in

Paul McCobb Set of Two Mid-Century Iron Stools with New Leather Upholstery

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Set of 2 Mid-Century Modern iron stools by Paul McCobb. Newly reupholstered as they originally were, with no-sag springs, foam and a thick vintage ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Iron

Pair of Wrought Iron Stools by Paul McCobb, US, 1950s

Sold

H 17.72 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in

Pair of Wrought Iron Stools by Paul McCobb, US, 1950s

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Berlin, DE

Pair of wrought iron stools, designed in 1950s by Paul McCobb and manufactured by Winchendon Furniture (Planner Group) in US. Newly uphols...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Wrought Iron

Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron Base Stool or Side Table

Sold

H 13.75 in W 20 in D 20 in

Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron Base Stool or Side Table

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in South Bend, IN

A newly refinished planner group iron base stool or side table By Paul McCobb USA, 1970s Maple and iron Measures: 20" W x 20" D x 13.75" H...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Iron

Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Iron Stool or Ottoman, Newly Restored

Sold

H 16 in W 20.75 in D 20.75 in

Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Iron Stool or Ottoman, Newly Restored

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Mid-Century Modern stool or ottoman designed by Paul McCobb. The stool has been newly reupholstered with cream Knoll fabric and has new feet tips. A fine example of Mc...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Iron

Paul McCobb Iron and Leather Stool for Planner Group

Sold

H 17 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in

Paul McCobb Iron and Leather Stool for Planner Group

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A lovely stool designed by Paul McCobb for Planner Group in the United States circa 1950’s. This clean design features a newly upholstered seat in new full-grain tan leather and an i...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Stools

Materials

Iron

Planner Group stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Planner Group stools are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Planner Group stools, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original stools by Planner Group were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1950s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider stools by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Florence Knoll, and Adrian Pearsall. Prices for Planner Group stools can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,345 and can go as high as $3,950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,485.