Directional Living Room Sets
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.
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Creator: Directional
20th Century, American Nautilus Lounge Chair
Ottoman by Vladimir Kagan
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage single Mid-Century Modern American Nautilus lounge chair with a sculptural, half round moon shape ottoman, designed by Vladimir Kagan a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Directional Living Room Sets
Materials
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
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Kagan, inspired by his early 1950s Kagan-Dreyfuss 'Serpentine' sofa and his later 'Shorty' sofa, designed his popular and classic always-in-demand 'Cloud' sofa for Directional Furniture with all of its sensuous Post-Modern curves and signature lucite bar fitted between two cylindrical bases. This pair of sofas feature the pouf / ottoman on the right side (if you are sitting on the sofas) which allow you to face the sofas towards each other in a Yin / Yang formation. Also both sofas are the style with the more in-demand 'center back' vs the style which has the 'wrap around arm'. This particular style is more rare and desirable so having both sofas with this style is difficult to achieve as they are harder to find. If you need a different configuration contact us as we have other Cloud sofas in stock that are ready to be reupholstered.
Collectors and designers, it's hard to find a matching pair together - here's your opportunity, but hurry - these matched pairs sell fast as they are a staple for interior designers looking to create a magazine cover interior.
*This listing is priced for the pair of sofas, if you wish to only purchase a single see our other listings for these sofas individually priced or contact us.
These Vladimir Kagan cloud sofas are so popular today with interior designers and collectors - the demand for Kagan's designs keep growing year after year. There is something timeless about the shape and silhouette of this couch and the comfort level is through the roof. Combine this was the on-trend off-white / oatmeal boucle fabric - and this sofa is a recipe for exquisiteness.
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*This listing is priced for the pair of sofas, if you wish to only purchase a single contact us for details.
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Directional living room sets for sale on 1stDibs.
Directional living room sets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Directional living room sets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original living room sets by Directional were created in the modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider living room sets by Knoll, Vladimir Kagan, and Herman Miller. Prices for Directional living room sets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $10,200 and can go as high as $46,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $22,500.
Questions About Directional Living Room Sets
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021While a pear-shaped ring can be worn either way, most commonly it is worn with the tip of the diamond facing upwards to look like a falling teardrop when the hand is raised. This also helps create the impression of longer fingers.