I got so excited when first seeing these gorgeous mid-century modern dining chairs! I recognized them immediately as part of the Planner Group for Winchendon designed by internationally known and revered designer Paul McCobb. They are comprised of a maple frame with the original walnut finish and the foam seats are covered in the most electric bright and beautiful blue vinyl I have ever seen! And, it’s original! But the best dynamic feature of these Planner Group chairs is what is called their wing back. It is simply stunning. Not to mention their long and tapered legs. The Planner Group in its time was considered one of America’s foremost coordinated groups of contemporary furniture. It obtained widespread acclaim and honors. It was praised by designers and architects for its simplicity, scale, refined lines and its variety. It still is today.
Paul McCobb (1917-1969), is a 20th Century design genius. He wanted to be an artist from childhood and studied drawing and painting for a time but left his studies to enlist in the Army in 1942. Only serving a short time and was medically discharged in 1943. McCobb’s design genius was first noticed while working as a design and decorating consultant for Martin Feinman’s Modernage Furniture in New York City in 1948. While there he met B.G. Mesberg who later became his business partner in the Planner and Directional furniture lines. He won many awards and is represented in museums around the world. His other well-known furniture lines are Predictor, Calvin Group, Directional, Irwin Group, and Connoisseur Collection. Paul McCobb’s trend-making designs were an influence in all facets of the home furnishing field during the mid-century modern era. They proved to be classics and are widely sought after by collectors today.
This set of four Planner Group dining chairs would look marvelous by themselves but combined with an incredible pair of host and hostess chairs they will be outstanding. No matter how you intend to use them…you need to make them yours!
