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 for Planner Group Mid-Century Maple and Wrought Iron Side Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage tiered side table designed by Paul McCobb. Made of strong wrought iron frame with maple top and slatted lower shelf. Please confirm location with vendor NY or NJ
Metal, Wrought Iron
Square Coffee Side Table By Paul McCobb Planner Group For Winchendon
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century modern, solid maple, coffee or side/end table by Paul McCobb, Planner Group for Winchendon features a square top with tapered splayed legs in the iconic style of McCobb P...
Maple
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Two-Tier Side Table or Nightstand in Birch
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple design by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group line in the 1950s that was produced by Winchendon Furniture. This table features solid maple construction and in well cared for c...
Maple
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...
Iron
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Nightstand, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern nightstand or side table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple, with original brass drawer pu...
Brass
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Maple and Wrought Iron Side Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Maple and Wrought Iron Side Table This side table measures: 28 wide x 20 deep x 22.25 inches high We take our photos in a controlled light...
Wrought Iron
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
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Vintage Paul McCobb Iron Rod Planner Group Side Table Abstract Midcentury
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Hyattsville, MD
The early 1950s lesser seen end table model from the Planner Group. Beauty through function and cost-effective materials. The Planner Group Line by Paul McCobb, Model#1305 table, Win...
Iron
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 2 Tier Corner Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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
Paul McCobb Planer Group Maple Wrought Iron Side Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Minimal, mid century modern, side table by Paul McCobb for Planner Group features a wrought iron frame with graduated tiers of maple and slat maple. The lower tier is 6.5 inches heig...
Wrought Iron
Beautifully Refinished Paul McCobb Planner Group Coffee Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
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...
Maple
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
Paul McCobb Side Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in East Hampton, NY
Newly refinished Paul McCobb side table by Winchendon.
Wood
$2,070Sale Price|40% Off
H 29 in W 36 in D 54 in
Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Extension Dining Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful early 1950s Paul McCobb solid maple extention dining table on 4 squared tapered legs. Stunning solid maple tabletop with a slight taper on each end that has a tobacco semi ...
Maple
$3,150 / set
H 20.13 in W 19 in D 26.5 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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 Paul McCobb End Tables
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
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
$2,170 / item
H 23.63 in W 25.6 in D 17.72 in
Modern Cube White, Black & Gold Side Coffee Table or Nightstand
By Renats Kotlevs
Located in Riga, LV
This modern bedside table diamond gently fits the bedroom atmosphere by contrasting white and brass. The handcrafted construction has a high gloss white ...
Wood
$3,600
H 29 in W 36 in D 54 in
Mid century Paul McCobb Planner Group rectangle Maple 1522 Dining Table 2 leaves
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful early 1950s Paul McCobb maple dining table #1522 with 4 tapered legs and dowel supports. Original maple tabletop with a blonde tobacco finish in good vintage condition. Leg...
Maple
Pair of Rare Paul McCobb Nightstands for Planner Group
By Planner Group, Winchendon, Paul McCobb
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
McCobb for Winchendon Planner Group Nesting Tables c 1950's
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in New York, NY
Rare set of nesting tables designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture. The rectangular tables nest, for easy storage and display. Both tables are selling in as is, as found condition, both show significant cosmetic wear, and will need to be refinished, the smaller table is missing the screw in end cap feet, please see images. Although the tables need some restoration, they are an unusual and hard to find form, and will clean up nicely as the tops are solid wood, and the wrought iron frames can easily be repainted. Larger Table 36 W x 18.5 D x 20 H inches Smaller Table 24...
Wrought Iron
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Coffee Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group mid century coffee table The table measures: 60 wide x 18 deep x 15 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintag...
Wood
Mid Century Side End Occasional Table after McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Nice diminutive Mid Century table having a circular wood top, on wrought iron legs. The top is newly repainted to semi gloss white, the legs to semi gloss black, creating a striking...
Wrought Iron
$1,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 24.02 in D 18.12 in
Pair of Paul McCobb End Tables for Winchendon, Planner Group Series
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Nice pair of blonde Paul McCobb Planner group side tables. A McCobb Classic. Very good original condition.
Maple
$2,895 / set
H 20 in W 19.25 in D 26.5 in
Mid Century Paul McCobb Planner Group Winchedon Side End Tables Signed - a Pair
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon furniture side tables. Restored in the original brown color with original hardware. Fully marked.
Brass
$2,000
H 15.5 in W 59 in D 18 in
Mid Century Paul McCobb Planner Group Winchendon Furniture Coffee Table c. 1950s
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mid Century Paul McCobb design, Plann Ger Group, Winchendon Furniture, coffee table. The table features a wrought iron frame, with a solid wood top in later black lacquered ...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 22.13 in W 18 in D 18 in
1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Iron Maple Bamboo Nightstand / Side Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Highly desirable Paul McCobb #1572 nightstand or occasional side table from his Planner Group collection for Winchedon, c. 1950s. It features an exposed black wrought iron frame, sin...
Wrought Iron
Pair of #1587 Side Tables by Paul McCobb, 1960s
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Toronto, CA
Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group #1587 maple nightstands. McCobb’s furniture designs have been called efficient and purposeful, with a certain “purity of form”. This delicate pair o...
Wood, Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Ebonized Maple Side End Tables
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Classic Mid-Century Modern, maple side tables by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon feature an ebonized finish.
Maple
Sold
H 25 in W 24 in D 18 in
Midcentury Paul McCobb Nightstands #1503, Two Drawer on Iron Bases O-Ring Pulls
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Decatur, GA
Stellar pair of American modern two drawer Planner Group nightstands by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. - Model #1503 - Tobacco finish - Wrought Iron bases with adjustable feet - Lar...
Chrome, Iron, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 16 in W 17 in D 17 in
Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Maple Side Table with Iron Base for Winchendon Furni
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic side table designed by Paul McCobb for his "Planner Group" line that he collaborated for Winchendon Furniture Co. in the United States circa 1950s. An iconic design featuring ...
Iron
Sold
H 25.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Planner Group Night Stand or Side Table in Maple
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic design from an iconic American designer, Paul McCobb. This case piece features 2 deep drawers, warm patina brass pulls and constructed of solid maple.
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 exposed wr...
Iron
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century 2 Tier End Tables, a Pair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb For Planner Group mid-century 2 tier end tables - a pair Each table measures: 19 wide x 26.5 deep x 24.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we ...
Wood
Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Side Table for Winchendon Furniture
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb "Planner Group" side table for Winchendon Furniture.
Brass
Paul McCobb Iron and Birch Tables, Planner Group, 1950's
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Round Rock, TX
An early pair of Paul McCobb iron and birch side or occasional tables designed for Winchendon Furniture in the 1950's. These are fantastic examples of early American modern design...
Iron
Kipp Stewart Tri-Leg Walnut Side Table for Winchendon Furniture
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Planner Group
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kipp Stewart Tri-Leg Walnut Side Table for Winchendon Furniture
Walnut
Paul McCobb Perimeter Group Leather Top Occasional Side Table, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern occasional side table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Perimeter Group" USA, 1950s Birch wood base with "x" stretchers, and black leath...
Leather, Birch
Sold
H 25.63 in W 24 in D 18.13 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon 2 Drawer Nightstand, Circa 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Mid-Century Modern nightstand designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture. The nightstand features solid maple construction, with gorgeous woo...
Teak
Paul McCobb For Planner Group Ebonized Side Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, ebonized maple, side table with drawer by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon, features a lower shelf and signature hourglass brass pull.
Brass
Sold
H 24 in W 22 in D 21.13 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Nightstand or Side Table, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern nightstand or side table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered maple, with original brass...
Brass