The single aesthetic attribute of vintage Paul McCobb furniture is that the designer completely forsook ornament — his pieces have no flourishes. And yet, because they are honest — McCobb’s chairs, desks and dining tables are made of solid wood, usually maple or birch, often paired with frames and legs of wrought iron; the cabinets are traditionally scaled; the seating pieces have historic antecedents such as the Windsor chair — his mid-century modern work has warmth and presence.
You could call the Massachusetts-born McCobb a man of parts. As a furniture designer, his work combined the attributes of many of his now better-known peers.
Like the work of Bauhaus designers such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, McCobb's furniture had purity of form and line. Like the designs of Florence Knoll and George Nelson and his associates, McCobb’s work was efficient and purposeful. And even like George Nakashima, he was adept at interpreting traditional forms, in particular those of chairs, for the 20th century.
More than any other designer besides Russel Wright, with his ubiquitous ceramic tableware, 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.
McCobb, a repeat recipient of the Good Design Award from the Museum of Modern Art, also designed cohesive lines of furnishings, such as his best-known Planner Group, that gave homes an instant “look.” He designed for several companies, most notably Directional, which was home to McCobb’s Origami chair.
In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company, a brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere. Directional opened its doors after McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York-based Modernage Company. Directional also produced designs by other legends such as Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.
As you can see from the offerings on 1stDibs, McCobb designs are the pin-striped suit, or the little black dress, of a decor: an essential.
Find vintage Paul McCobb credenzas, bookcases, nightstands and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture Linear Group Walnut Two-Tier Nightstand, Newly
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern two-tier single drawer nightstand or end table By Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, "Linear Group" USA, 1950s Walnut, with brass finished al...
Walnut
T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Walnut Nightstand or Side Table, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut two-tier nightstand or occasional side table By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb USA, 1950s Measures: 20"W x 30"D x 20.75"H. Goo...
Walnut
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Nightstand or End Table, Newly Refinished
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern bedside table or occasional side table By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s Mahogany, w...
Brass
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Nightstand or End Table, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern bedside table or occasional side table By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s Mahogany, w...
Brass
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
Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Mid-Century Modern Side Table, 1960s
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency drop leaf tea table or occasional side table By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture USA, 1960s Teak and walnut, with original Asian...
Brass
Mahogany End Table by Paul McCobb for Calvin, Irwin Collection
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, bleached mahogany, end table by Paul McCobb for Calvin, Irwin Collection features a leather top with brass trim, caned lower shelf and nickel plated brass pulls. ...
Brass
Mid-Century Paul McCobb End Table for Calvin Group
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful Paul McCobb end table features the original manufacturers label, unique McCobb drawer pulls, brass trim, leather top, and stylish cane shelf. Two-drawer construction makes this ideal for sofa side storage...
Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear Mid Century Side End Table
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for calvin linear mid century side end table This table is 21.5 wide x 21.5 deep x 24.5 inches tall All pieces of furniture ...
Chrome
Connoisseur Collection End Table by Paul McCobb, C. 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Westport, CT
An elegant expression of Mid-Century Modern design, this refined end table by Paul McCobb, circa 1950s, showcases the designer’s signature balance of clean lines and understated soph...
Brass
Paul McCobb One Draw Planner Group End Table Night Stand Mid Century Modern Mint
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Planner Group stand by Paul McCobb.
Brass
1960s Paul McCobb Linear Side Table for Calvin Walnut & Aluminum
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a vintage Side End table Designed by Paul McCobb Linear for Calvin Furniture Co. Linear designs with drawer Walnut and aluminum label present 24 h x 21 x 21...
Aluminum
