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 for Planner Group Mid Century Side Table - Pair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Side Table - Pair Each side table measures: 19 wide x 26.5 deep x 20 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restor...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern single drawer nightstands or end tables. By Paul McCobb for Winchendon furniture, "Planner Group". USA, 1950s. Black lacquered...
Brass
Pair of Rare Paul McCobb Nightstands for Planner Group
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of highly desirable and rare Paul McCobb nightstands from his Planner Group collection for Winchendon, c.1950s. The pair features an exposed wrought iron frame, single maple dra...
Iron
1950s Paul McCobb Iron Rod Birch Sofa End Tables Vintage Mid-Century
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Hyattsville, MD
1950s rare early Paul McCobb iron rod sofa end tables. Pair of solid staved Canadian Birch surfaces on 1/2 inch iron rod bases and plastic feet on each leg ti...
Iron
Paul McCobb End Tables Perimeter Group for Winchendon Furniture Co. 1950
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Company, 1950."Perimeter Group" beech wood and leather end tables.Stunning tables,classic mid century modern design.. This line was very lim...
Leather, Beech
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 2 Tier Corner Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb For Planner Group mid century 2 tier corner table The table measures: 30 wide x 30 deep x 21 inches high All pieces of furnitur...
Wood
Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple "Step" End Tables
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon Furniture #1589 Step Tables, 1950s-1960s. End Tables. Side Tables. Nightstands. Featuring solid two-tier rectangular form, deep single ...
Metal
Sold|$3,995
H 22.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Pair of Mid century Paul McCobb Single Drawer #1500 Nightstands black T Pulls
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb planner group #1500 maple nightstands end tables single drawer. Black T pull knobs. Black lacquer finish on solid maple wood. Very modern designed pair ...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern 1 One drawer End Table Stand
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice Mid-Century modern end table stand with classic brass cone shape McCobb pull.
Brass
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
$3,995 / set
H 22.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Pair of Midcentury Paul McCobb Single Drawer #1500 Nightstands Blonde T Pulls
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb planner group #1500 maple nightstands end tables single drawer. Black T pull knobs. Blonde finish raw maple. Very modern designed pair of nightstands wi...
Steel
$3,196Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 20 in W 19 in D 26.5 in
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1587 Nightstands Black Lacquer Brass Knobs End Tables
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group #1587 maple low nightstands lamp end tables single drawer Planner Group Brass knobs in original black lacquer finish. Original finish grea...
Brass
$2,700
H 33.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Small Dresser or Tall Night Stand by Paul McCobb in Maple
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautiful 1950's small chest of drawers by Paul McCobb and produced by Winchendon. A versatile piece constructed of solid maple with warm patinated brass pulls.
Maple
$1,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 20 in W 28.5 in D 28.5 in
Pair of MCM Walnut "Rhythm" Series End Tables by Paul McCobb for Lane Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Lane Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of American MCM walnut with oak accent end tables from the "Rhythm" series by Paul McCobb Lane Furniture, circa 1970s. Beautiful craftsma...
Oak, Walnut
Pair of Paul McCobb End Tables
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Denton, TX
A pair of walnut tops with aluminium base side tables from the Erwin collection designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin furniture.
Aluminum
$6,500 / set
H 24.25 in W 24 in D 17 in
Pair of Paul Frankl Ivory Lacquered Nightstands with Brass X Pulls, circa 1950
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Everyone loves Paul Frankl furniture. A pillar of design, he created some of the most iconic midcentury pieces of furniture. And here we have a lovely pair of Paul Frankl ivory lacqu...
Brass
Lacquered Horn Nightstand or End Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Lacquered horn nightstand or end table, American, circa 1980s. It is constructed of lacquered horn with beautiful color and graining. It is a versatile size and can be used as a nigh...
Wood, Horn
Classic Paul McCobb Calvin End Tables
By Paul McCobb
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of Paul McCobb for Calvin end tables-could also be night stands, with pull out tray. Very nice restored condition. Both signed underneath.
Mahogany, Walnut
Paul Frankl Ebony Nightstands for John Stuart
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare Paul Frankl nightstands for John Stuart. Made of mahogany with espresso satin finish. USA, circa 1940. Each nightstand features a pull-down top drawer with two additio...
Birch, Maple
Midcentury Paul McCobb Small Single Drawer Nightstands Brass Knobs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Simple pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group maple nightstands lamp tables single drawer Planner Group brass knobs Minimalist original Tobacco blonde finish. Very delicate geometric desi...
Brass
Sold
H 22.75 in W 24 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group side or night table cabinet on bench
By Planner Group, Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Ferndale, MI
Paul McCobb designed one drawer cabinet on bench for Winchendon Furniture in Mass. This would work as a side table in bed room or living room . Part of the large Planner group collection Introduced in the early 1950s . Planner group being a collection of modular furniture that would work together in different configurations. Chests, cabinets, dresser, benches, tables and desks. Multiple finishes available. Through the years different drawer pulls. This blonde maple cabinet has been refinished bench is in original finish legs show mild use . Aluminum McCobb...
Maple
Sold
H 22.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Pair of Midcentury Paul McCobb Single Drawer #1500 Nightstands Blonde T Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb planner group #1500 maple nightstands end tables single drawer. Black T pull knobs. Blonde finish on maple. Very modern designed pair of nightstands wit...
Steel
Sold
H 24 in W 21.5 in D 17 in
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1586 Nightstands Black Lacquer Finish Brass Knobs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group #1586 maple nightstands lamp tables single drawer Planner Group brass knobs Minimalist black lacquer. Very delicate designed pair of night...
Nickel
Sold
H 22.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Pair of Midcentury Paul McCobb Single Drawer #1500 Nightstands Blonde T Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb planner group #1500 maple nightstands end tables single drawer. Black T pull knobs. Refinished condition with raw Blonde finish on maple. Very modern de...
Steel
Sold
H 22.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Pair of Midcentury Paul McCobb Single Drawer #1500 Nightstands Black T Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb planner group #1500 maple nightstands end tables single drawer. Black T pull knobs. Good vintage condition with Black lacquer finish on maple. Very mode...
Steel
Midcentury Paul McCobb 2 Drawer #1503 Nightstands Blonde Lacquer T Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb 1950s #1503 blonde maple nightstands end tables double-drawer planner Group. Black steel T pull knobs. Refinished in raw blonde maple with clear lacquer...
Steel
Sold
H 24 in W 21.5 in D 17 in
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1586 Nightstands Black Lacquer Finish Brass Knobs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group #1586 maple nightstands lamp tables single drawer Planner Group brass knobs Minimalist black lacquer. Very delicate designed pair of night...
Nickel
Midcentury Paul McCobb 2 Drawer #1503 Nightstands Blonde Lacquer T Pulls
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb 1950s #1503 blonde maple nightstands end tables double-drawer planner Group. Black steel T pull knobs. Refinished in raw blonde maple with clear lacquer...
Steel
Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Three-Drawer Tall Night Stands
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Wilton, CT
Designed by internationally known contemporary designer Paul McCobb, we offer this very special pair of tall night stands constructed in birchwood and...
Brass
Pair of Rare Paul McCobb Nightstands
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of highly desirable and rare Paul McCobb nightstands from his Planner Group collection for Winchedon, c.1950s. The pair features an expo...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 26.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple & Black Iron Nightstands, 1950's
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of Paul McCobb planner group 1500-15 Maple & Wrought Iron two tone single 1 drawer chests, end tables, 1950's. Featuring large Natural finish Maple drawers, Black enameled wood ...
Metal, Enamel, Wrought Iron