Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

5 Reasons Why American Modernist Paul McCobb’s Designs Are Relevant Once Again

5 Reasons Why American Modernist Paul McCobb’s Designs Are Relevant Once Again

Simple and lithe in spirit, the midcentury legend’s most popular designs are back and pack the same revelatory punch today.

It’s been a busy few years for admirers of midcentury-modern designer Paul McCobb. Formerly accessible only through high-end vintage markets, McCobb’s slim-lined, materials-forward designs have seen a resurgence of interest, with notable reissues from his Directional and Widdicomb lines coming to market from the likes of Ralph Pucci and De Padova.



CB2’s plan to bring some of McCobb’s most popular pieces from the 1950s and ’60s-spanning lighting, tables, case goods, and seating-back into production this year gives fans of the designer’s simple geometry another reason to rejoice. The details that matter, such as gliding drawers and piano hinges, have been kept the same, while subtle updates to material choices nod to the present and will undoubtedly carry the pieces well into the future.

Should you need reminding, Paul McCobb was that "bad boy" of modernism-known for his fiery nature along with his pared-back sensibility and linear forms-who was supposedly so hungover the morning of a now famous 1961 Playboy photoshoot that he missed it, leaving him out of a "giants of current design" moment that included peers Harry Bertoia, Charles Eames, George Nelson, and Eero Saarinen, among others-all posing with their most iconic works.



Ivory leather sliding doors, an iron frame, and FSC-certified, ebonized black oak make CB2’s Paul McCobb console and hutch (available separately) as future forward as they were when first issued.

But that clearly didn’t write him out of history. As McCobb’s designs continue to reemerge from relative obscurity, we offer five takes on their staying power.

The Sweet Spot Between High and Low


Although McCobb designed for the homes of CEOs and celebrities, he is perhaps best known for his more populist, accessible pieces. Wide-reaching success followed the 1950 release of his Planner Group line, which, characterized by a mix of Shaker-style restraint and shapeliness, made McCobb a household name as "America’s designer."



The collection’s Modernist chair-updated in high-gloss, ebonized beechwood-features gentle curves from back to arm and evokes the look of a hand-carved piece. Shown with McCobb’s Connoisseur dining table.

Swank Factor


The first stage set of The Today Show, the mod offices of Columbia Records in the '60s, Mick Jagger’s London flat-McCobb ran in glamorous circles and wasn’t exactly a wallflower, which helped cement his place in the canon. Besides furnishings, he designed ceramics, typewriters, clocks, television sets, hi-fi consoles, and numerous other household items (his magazine holder is a staff favorite at Dwell).



Part of CB2’s new Paul McCobb collection, the low-slung, modular sectional makes a minimalist statement. Shown with the McCobb Irwin coffee table topped in honed white marble.

Material World


In his day, much of McCobb’s mass appeal grew out of his way with materials. Mixes that included solid brass, oak, walnut, marble, and stone are the focus, highlighted by the purity of his forms and nuance of finishes-the luxurious hand of bouclé wool, a burled wood accent-for craft-industry appeal.



With a stylish chevron back and barely there arms, CB2’s Bowtie caster chair in green bouclé wool is a study in geometry.

In the Details


In 1965, a Bloomingdale’s ad in The New York Times described his work as pieces "you’ll be proud to own." Talk about an understatement. Whether a slightly unusual proportion, an impossibly slender line, or a drilled-out finger pull, the little details are what catch the eye in McCobb’s work. Delights like sliding tabletops, lacquered brass, and dovetail joints are other flourishes that received his meticulous attention.



CB2’s handsome reedit of McCobb’s Embassy collection lounge chair and ottoman is covered in leather and hair on hide. A solid, FSC-certified wood base keeps the silhouette light and sleek.

Ultimate Versatility


Because of McCobb’s appreciation for durability and his taste for the simplicity of International Style, his furniture works exceptionally well in contemporary spaces-especially his interchangeable case goods, which helped to advance the concept of modular furniture. Similarly, the trim proportions of his pieces, meant to accommodate postwar homes, feel right in today’s increasingly modest, planet-friendly footprints.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
Intel Reports Revenue Beats but Sees 81% Rise in Losses
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
Tulsi Gabbard Unveils Evidence Alleging Political Manipulation of Intelligence During Trump Administration
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Trump Announces Coca-Cola to Shift to Cane Sugar in U.S. Production
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
Moonshot AI Unveils Kimi K2: A New Open-Source AI Model
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
Western Europe Records Hottest June on Record
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
France Requests Airlines to Cut Flights at Paris Airports Amid Planned Air Traffic Controller Strike
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
×