Directional Tables
A brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere, Directional Furniture opened its doors after American furniture designer Paul McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York–based Modernage Company.
In his pivotal introduction of postwar modernism to the mass market, the revered Massachusetts-born McCobb had established several lines, from the affordable and refined Planner Group for Winchendon to the swooping and unexpected arms of the Symmetric Group for Widdicomb, a Shaker-inspired collection that included a sofa and a lounge chair. Like all of McCobb’s designs, the Directional pieces for Modernage are defined by a sleek aesthetic in which the focus is on elegant functionality, frequently using fine materials such as brass and walnut. In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company.
The pair’s first pieces were upholstered chairs, intended to harmonize with the modular Multiplex pieces designed by Martin Feinman. McCobb then designed an array of furniture including storage, dining, seating, desks and other pieces with details such as leather tops, wood finishes and Roman Travertine surfaces. While Directional stopped production of McCobb’s work in the early 1960s, it still released numerous pieces by leading designers manufactured by a variety of companies.
Designer Paul Evans led the factory for a time after joining in 1964. His provocative work for the company often reflected his understanding of materials from his early training as a silversmith, such as the popular Cityscape series — a milestone in brutalist design — with its blocky forms accented with brass and chrome. At his shop in Lambertville, New Jersey, he collaborated with a design team to clad furniture pieces in metallic surfaces, like the Argente line that began production in 1968 and involved an acetylene torch to give its aluminum material a textural quality. He also worked on the Sculpted Bronze series with hand-formed resin shaped over plywood or steel that was then coated with atomized bronze.
Other Directional designers included Vladimir Kagan, who contributed biomorphic sofas and swivel chairs; Milo Baughman, who created tables and dressers inspired by Scandinavian modernism; and Jack Lenor Larsen, who covered sofas in dynamically patterned fabric.
Find authentic Directional Furniture seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
1970s American Vintage Directional Tables
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Travertine, Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Burl
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Steel, Chrome
1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Burl
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Chrome
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Chrome
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Travertine, Brass
1960s American Brutalist Vintage Directional Tables
Bronze
2010s Mexican Modern Directional Tables
Travertine
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Directional Tables
Chrome
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Directional Tables
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Tables
Travertine, Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Travertine
1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Wood, Burl
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Tables
Chrome
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Steel, Cut Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Burl
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Cherry
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Tables
Bronze
1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Tables
Wood, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Tables
Wood, Burl
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Tables
Bronze
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Tables
Mahogany, Teak, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Directional Tables
Chrome
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Directional Tables
Slate, Brass, Copper, Pewter
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Tables
Wood, Ash, Rosewood, Walnut
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Directional Tables
Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Tables
Brass
Directional tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Directional
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