The architect Pierre Guariche was one of the leading modern furniture and lighting designers of postwar France. Guariche can, in some ways, be thought of as the French version of Charles Eames: with his lean and angular chairs and slender, sculptural table lamps, he helped introduce a new aesthetic to the country’s interiors — and he was an eager pioneer in the use of new industrial materials and production techniques that emerged in the 1950s.
Guariche studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris (the national design academy) under René Gabriel — a designer known for his quality, mass-produced furnishings, who served as a director of the postwar Ministry of Reconstruction. Two years after graduating in 1949, Guariche opened his own design firm, and he was soon creating pieces for numerous companies, including the lighting manufacturer Disderot.
Wood and metal were rationed in the years following the war and Guariche learned to do more with less. His chairs of the early 1950s include several designs with narrow, softly angular wooden frames; others, like the Tonneau chair, feature a single piece of molded plywood set atop metal legs. His lamps of the period are likely his best-known works. They include delicate compositions of slender steel tubes, and more flamboyant pieces such as the Kite lamp, with its curved metal reflector panel.
Always on the lookout for new materials, Guariche spent several years in the mid-1950s operating a firm making furniture in fiberglass and other plastics, along with Joseph André Motte and others. After 1957 — when Guariche was named head of design for the Belgian company Meurop and given a brief to create stylish, up-to-date chairs and cabinets — he began to look to America for ideas.
In the mid-1960s, Guariche produced several lines of deeply upholstered, rounded lounge chairs inspired by the Space Age look, and gave them names like Jupiter, Polaris and Luna. While Guariche always kept pace with his times, throughout his career he showed a consistent talent for producing elegant, eye-catching forms using a minimum of materials.
Find vintage Pierre Guariche furniture today on 1stDibs.
Pierre Guariche Sofa Bed for Airborne French Design
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
French designer Pierre Guariche. Rare model with golden base Freshly re-upholstery.
Metal
Sold|$6,934
H 31.5 in W 18.9 in D 16.54 in
1951 Pierre Guariche, Prefacto Set of Four Chairs, Airborne Edition
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Prefacto by Pierre Guariche Very rare suite of four chairs Airborne Publisher 1951 Dimensions: 80 x 42 x 48 cm Mahogany and metal Mythical and very rare Beautiful condition Se...
Metal
$1,148Sale Price|25% Off
H 27.96 in W 28.75 in D 24.41 in
Armchair G1 de Pierre Guariche, Airborne 1950
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair model G1 by Pierre Guariche - Airborne Edition - 50s. White metal structure (wear traces of use in the photos) - redone yellow canvas cover.
Metal
$17,000 / set
H 29.5 in W 26 in D 29.5 in
Pair of White Troika Slipper Chairs by Pierre Guariche for Airborne, France 1960
By Pierre Guariche
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Troika slipper chairs by Pierre Guariche. This model is the lesser-seen variant without arms on enameled flat steel l...
Cut Steel
$3,867
H 30.52 in W 58.98 in D 34.06 in
Mw02 design sofa, handmade in France by designer Olivier Santini
By Olivier Santini
Located in Beaumont-Louestault, FR
"Elevate furniture aesthetics to an artistic level." This high-end designer sofa, custom-made in France, is named MW02. It combines comfort, design, and aesthetics. The seat, craft...
Stainless Steel, Other
Italian Sofa Bed, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This Italian sofa bed was designed in the 1950s. The shapes lend elegance and modernity to the otherwise quite minimalist design. The seat is foldable...
Iron
$21,157
H 29.93 in W 32.68 in D 30.71 in
Pierre Guariche (1926-1995), pair of G10 Bis armchairs, Airborne ed., 1953
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Paris, FR
Pierre Guariche (1926-1995), pair of G10 Bis armchairs, Airborne ed., 1953 Ash wood molded plywood, lacquered steel tube and fabric Height 76 × Width 83 × Depth 78 cm Literature:...
Metal
$3,863
H 35.83 in W 51.19 in D 32.29 in
Antique French Louis XVI SeatAntique French Sofa, Maison Pierre Frey Velvet
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique French Louis XVI style sofa corbeille. Two removable cushions, with a fabric of the famous French "Maison Pierre Frey" in velvet. With its thick feather and down cushion, th...
Velvet
$7,656 / set
H 33.47 in W 27.96 in D 32.29 in
Troika Lounge Chairs Model by Pierre Guariche and Paul Geoffroy for Airborne
By Pierre Guariche, Paul Geoffroy
Located in Paris, FR
We're delighted to present this fantastic pair of Troika lounge chairs, designed by Pierre Guariche and Paul Geoffroy for Airborne in the 1960s, currently housed in our workshop in M...
Chrome
$7,546
H 27.56 in W 66.93 in D 39.38 in
Michel Ducaroy Togo Three-Seat Sofa in Almond Alcantara for Ligne Roset, France
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Schilde, BE
Iconic three-seat ‘Togo’ sofa designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset. Originally introduced in 1973, the Togo has become one of the most recognizable and enduring seating designs of the 20th century. Its distinctive low profile, ergonomic all-foam construction, and signature pleated upholstery offer exceptional comfort and a sculptural presence. This 21st century example is upholstered in Almond-colored Alcantara, a soft and durable microfiber fabric that enhances the relaxed yet refined character of the design. The neutral tone makes it versatile and suitable for both contemporary and mid-century interiors. The sofa retains the original manufacturer’s label. A timeless design classic that remains as relevant today as at its introduction. Seats: 3 Original upholstery No restorations Ready to place Michel Ducaroy Togo sofa Ligne Roset French design 1970s design Iconic seating Mid-century modern Alcantara sofa...
Foam, Fabric
Djinn Sofa by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne, France, 1960s
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Antwerp, BE
Djinn sofa by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne, 1960s France, an iconic sofa upholstered in luxurious white bouclé. It is inspired by the mythical shape-shifting djinn of Arab culture, i...
Metal
'S22' two seater sofa by Pierre Chapo
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Brussels, BE
Based on the design of the S 15 armchair, Pierre Chapo developed the S 22 two-seater sofa in 1967. For this model, the emphasis was on volume: the S 22 doubles the floor area of the ...
Leather, Wood
$10,248
H 28.35 in W 64.97 in D 39.38 in
Vintage leather Kashima Sofa 1982 by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset France
By Michel Ducaroy
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Kashima Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1982 Original Natural Leather Sofa with Deep Tufted Construction This Kashima sofa was designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset an...
Leather
Sold
H 30.32 in W 70.87 in D 30.32 in
Pierre Guariche Three-Seat Sofa, Model G10 for Airborne, French Design
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Perpignan, FR
A three-seat sofa by Pierre Guariche for Airborne. Black enameled steel structure. Newly restored in a royal blue fabric, France, 1950s.
Textile