Pierre Paulin introduced a fresh breeze into French furniture design in the 1960s and ’70s, fostering a sleek new Space-Age aesthetic. Along with Olivier Mourgue, Paulin developed chairs, sofas, dining tables and other furnishings with flowing lines and almost surreal naturalistic forms. And his work became such a byword for chic, forward-looking design and emerging technologies that two French presidents commissioned him to create environments in the Élysée Palace in Paris.
Paulin was born in Paris to a family of artists and designers. He initially sought to become a ceramist and sculptor and was studying in the town of Vallauris near the Côte d'Azur — a center for pottery making, where Pablo Picasso spent his postwar summers crafting ceramics — but broke his hand in a fight. He enrolled at the École Camondo, the Paris interior design school. There, Paulin was strongly influenced by the work of Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Arne Jacobsen, as was reflected in his early creations for the manufacturer Thonet-France.
It was at the Dutch firm Artifort, which he joined in 1958, where Paulin blossomed. In a few years, he produced several of his signature designs based on abstract organic shapes. These include the Butterfly chair (1963), which features a tubular steel frame and slung leather, and a group of striking seating pieces made with steel frames covered in polyurethane foam and tight jersey fabric: the Mushroom (1960), Ribbon (1966) and Tongue (1967) chairs. The revered designer not only introduced new construction techniques to Artifort furniture but contributed fresh materials, Pop art colors and dazzling shapes to the mid-century modern era as a whole.
In 1971, the Mobilier National — a department of France’s Ministry of Culture in charge of furnishing top-tier government offices and embassies — commissioned Paulin to redesign President Georges Pompidou’s private apartment in the Élysée Palace. In three years, Paulin transformed the staid rooms into futuristic environments with curved, fabric-clad walls and furnishings such as bookcases made from an arrangement of smoked-glass U shapes, flower-like pedestal chairs and pumpkin-esque loungers.
Ten years later, the Mobilier National called on Paulin again, this time to furnish the private office of President François Mitterand. Paulin responded with an angular, postmodern take on neoclassical furniture, pieces that looked surprisingly at home in the paneled, Savonnerie-carpeted Louis XVI rooms. As those two Élysée Palace projects show, Paulin furniture works well both in a total decor or when used as a counterpoint to traditional pieces. His creations have a unique personality: bright and playful yet sophisticated and suave.
Find vintage Pierre Paulin lounge chairs, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Pierre Paulin, Little Tulip chair, Artifort, 1960
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Uppsala, SE
Little Tulip chair (originally known as the F163), designed in the 1960s by Pierre Paulin. The Artifort Tulip collection remains a true Mid-Century Modern icon. A perfect fusion of e...
Metal, Chrome
Two Early Pierre Paulin F598 "Groovy" Chair for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Two iconic early Pierre Paulin "groovy" chairs, reupholstered in a Maharam woven fabric, with new foam. Known for its striking, sculptural shape. It is also known as the "M" chair du...
Metal
Pierre Paulin Pacha Lounge Chair for Gubi
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
Located in Skokie, IL
Pierre Paulin classic Pacha Lounge Chair for Gubi. This chair features a non swivel base. A mid-century modern dark, rounded lounge chair with a low pro...
Upholstery, Plastic
Groovy F598 M Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Funky and elegant Mid-Century Modern Groovy F598 M chair. Design by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1973, this version is from the 1980s. Striking French/Dutch design from the 1980s. R...
Metal
Pierre Paulin, Lounge Chair, Metal, Leather, Netherlands, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin
Located in High Point, NC
A brown leather and metal "F-444" lounge chair designed by Pierre Paulin and produced by Artifort, Netherlands, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 37.8” H x 32.75” W x 29.5” D ...
Metal
Mushroom Pouf or Ottoman by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1970's
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Cute and comfortable Artifort Mushroom pouf or ottoman, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. This lovely Mushroom pouf is made in the 70's. The poof is completely restored with n...
Fabric, Wood
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Outdoor Armchair with Returning Swivel for Gubi
By Gubi, Pierre Paulin
Located in Glendale, CA
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Outdoor Armchair with Returning Swivel for Gubi Designed for durability, this authorized re-edition of the 'Pacha' Collection for outdoors is executed in a spe...
Cotton, Wood
Pierre Paulin F444 Lounge Chair Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The F444 chair by Pierre Paulin is a true design classic. With its metal frame and saddle leather seat, it has a strong and elegant look. This is an early edition of the chair, makin...
Metal
$10,103 / item
Customizable Artifort Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
A completely upholstered design by Pierre Paulin from 1966 and a professional, innovative vision on the well-known ribbon form. Metal frame with horizontal springs, covered with foam...
Textile
Pair Mid Century Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960's Whit Label
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Pair mid century ribbon chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960's Whit Label.
Iron
Model "577" Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, The Netherlands 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Utrecht, NL
Artifort was founded in 1890, when Jules Wagemans started a business as an upholsterer in Maastricht. A great deal changed with the arrival of the interior and furniture designer Kho...
Metal
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Lounge Chair with Returning Swivel for GUBI
By Gubi, Pierre Paulin
Located in Glendale, CA
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Lounge Chair with Returning Swivel for GUBI Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' lounge chair upholstered in Harp ivory fabric (24- Fabric group A). Paulin designed the 'Pacha' lounge chair in 1975 with the intention of creating a sensation of sitting on clouds. With ivory cotton upholstery and a returning swivel wood base with a pearl gold finish, the curvaceous and low-slung Pacha lounge chair...
Cotton, Wood
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Outdoor Lounge Chair with Returning Swivel for Gubi
By Gubi, Pierre Paulin
Located in Glendale, CA
Pierre Paulin Pacha Outdoor Lounge Chair with Returning Swivel for Gubi Designed for durability, this authorized re-edition of the Pacha Collection for o...
Cotton, Wood
CM 172 desk by Pierre Paulin for Thonet, 1960'
By Pierre Paulin
Located in LYON, FR
CM 172 desk by Pierre Paulin for Thonet 1960s desk by Pierre Paulin in teak (1955-1957) Genuine CM 172 model. Beautiful lines with its black steel crossbar structure and two-drawe...
Steel
Customizable Artifort Mushroom P Stool by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
The Mushroom P. for Artifort is one of Pierre Paulin’s most famous designs. First there was the Mushroom armchair, that is now exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Then...
Textile
Pierre Paulin Pacha Lounge Chair with Returning Swivel for GUBI
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Pierre Paulin Pacha Lounge chair with returning Swivel for GUBI. Pierre Paulin designed the Pacha lounge chair in 1975 with the intention of creati...
Cotton, Wood
Pierre Paulin, Pair of Spider Lounge Chairs "Model F678" for Artifort. 1966
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptional and rare pair of lounge chairs model F678, also known as the Spider Lounge Chair, designed by French master Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort, the Netherlands, 1...
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Velvet, Rope, Plywood
‘Dangari’ armchairs by Pierre Paulin for Allibert, 1978.
By Pierre Paulin, Allibert
Located in Athens, Attiki
‘Dangari’ armchairs by Pierre Paulin for Allibert, 1978. Injection-molded “Ultra Resin” The ‘Dangari’ was one of Allibert’s best-selling chairs for many years. Even today, Allibert i...
Plastic
Mid Century Pierre Paulin F557 Swivel Lounge Chairs for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Paulin F557 Swivel Mid Century Lounge Chairs. Pierre Paulin Swivel chairs F557 in original condition, all original fabric. These ar...
Fabric
Pierre Paulin, Ribbon Chair, Fabric, Wood, Artifort, Netherlands, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in High Point, NC
A lacquered wood and graphic printed fabric Ribbon Chair designed by Pierre Paulin and produced by Artifort, Netherlands, 1960s. Originally sourced from Turner Limited, 305 East 63...
Fabric, Wood
Model F580 Groovy Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1966
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely and very comfortable Artifort Groovy Chair (or "M" Chair), model F580. This model is designed by Pierre Paulin in 1966. These particular chairs are the very first edition wi...
Metal
$7,695Sale Price / set|46% Off
Pair of Groovy Chairs F598 designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The Groovy Chair, or F598, designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, has become a true design classic. Very pleasant to the eye, especially in this stunning corn color, it is also rem...
Steel
Model F580 Groovy Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1966
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely and very comfortable Artifort Groovy Chair (or "M" Chair), model F580. This model is designed by Pierre Paulin in 1966. These particular chairs are the very first edition wi...
Metal
Pierre Paulin Model F598 Groovy Armchair for Artifort Netherlands, 1972
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
Fantastic F598 armchair, also called Groovy, by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Netherlands 1972. This sculptural armchair has been recently reupholstered with lovely and high quality Pierre Frey wool and alpaca blend fabric from Paris, France. Like all iconic...
Metal
Set of 4 Stackable Plastic Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Henry Massonnet
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of 4 stackable plastic chairs was designed by Pierre Paulin for Henry Massonet and manufactured by STAMP in France in 1988. The chairs stand ou...
Plastic
Model F580 Groovy Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1966
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely and very comfortable Artifort Groovy Chair (or "M" Chair), model F580. This model is designed by Pierre Paulin in 1966. These particular chairs are the very first edition wi...
Metal
Mushroom Pouf or Ottoman by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1970's
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Cute and comfortable Artifort Mushroom pouf or ottoman, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. This lovely Mushroom pouf is made in the 70 It has the original brown wool fabric. It...
Fabric, Wood
Pierre Paulin F444 Lounge Chair in Black Leather – All Original, Vintage
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Dronten, NL
A true design classic, this vintage F444 lounge chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort embodies the relaxed, sculptural elegance of 1960s modernism. The chair features its original blac...
Steel
Model F-580 Groovy Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Dallas, TX
The iconic Groovy chair, designed for Artifort and also known as the M chair, is a first edition model designed with soft sculptural curves. The piece has been reupholstered in a Rog...
Metal
Mid-Century Tongue Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Amazing and very comfortable Tongue chair, designed by the French designer Pierre Paulin in the 60s and produced by Artifort. This lovely chair has the original high quality Kvad...
Fabric, Foam
Midcentury Model F572 Lounge Chair with Pouf by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1967
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning creation of the French designer Pierre Paulin, the model F572 with pouf. He designed this amazing model for Artifort in 1967 and it is produced for just a few years. This ...
Fabric, Foam
$1,137 / item
Customizable Artifort Moulin Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
A good, old-fashioned chair designed by the late Pierre Paulin. Previously in the collection of Thonet France, it now completes the Artifort collection. The design of the Moulin date...
Textile
Mid-Century Little Tulip Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very comfortable and turnable Armchair, named "Little Tulip". Designed by the famous Pierre Paulin in te 60's. Fabricated by Artifort in the 80's. Solid metal base with a wooden f...
Steel
$4,713Sale Price|20% Off
Pierre Paulin AP-14 cognac leather armchair for A. Polak, 1955
By Pierre Paulin
Located in The Hague, NL
Stunning and rare AP-14 “Anneau” chair, designed by French designer Pierre Paulin in the 1950s and produced by AP Polak. An exceptional early Paulin piece, celebrated for its refined...
Metal
Original Pierre Paulin, Reupholstered Mushroom Chair by Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in London, GB
A fully reupholstered Pierre Paulin original Mushroom chair model F560 for Artifort, the Netherlands, circa 1960. The chair has its original metal tag label intact. Professionally re...
Steel
Pierre Paulin F598 Groovy Armchair for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in The Hague, NL
Groovy lounge chair designed by Pierre Paulin in 1972 and manufactured for Artifort, Holland. Model No: F598, or also known as "M" chair. Chair has been newly reupholstered in green ...
Metal
$15,717 / set
Set of Ribbon Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning set of Ribbon Chairs, designed by the French designer Pierre Paulin in the 60's. It is produced by Artifort, The Netherlands. The Ribbon Chair is a piece of Art and it i...
Fabric, Wood
Pierre Paulin Groovy Chair - 1st edition
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Dallas, TX
Designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1966. The groovy chair is known for its sculptural shape and is truly an iconic form. The first edition seems to be more collectable and f...
Steel
Artifort Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Amazing Ribbon Chair in a very rare edition. It is designed by the famous Pierre Paulin (France) in the 60's and produced by Artifort (The Netherlands). This Iconic piece is produce...
Fabric, Wood
Mushroom Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Vienna, AT
Blue Mushroom armchair designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s for Artifort, Netherlands. Excellent original condition.
Fabric, Wool
Pierre Paulin “CM178” Desk for Thonet – 1950s, France
By Pierre Paulin, Thonet
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A rare “CM178” desk designed by Pierre Paulin for Thonet in the 1950s. A refined example of French mid-century design, this desk features a black lacquered tubular metal frame and a ...
Steel
Mid Century Tongue Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Amazing and very comfortable Tongue Chair, designed by the French designer Pierre Paulin in the 60's and produced by Artifort. This chair Has the original green wool Kvadrat fabric...
Fabric
Customizable Artifort Ribbon Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
A completely upholstered design by Pierre Paulin from 1966 and a professional, innovative vision on the well-known ribbon form. Metal frame with horizontal springs, covered with foam...
Textile
Artifort Swivel Blue Little Tulip by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
Artifort Little Tulip Artifort Lana (AA) 582 Light Blue Base: P39 Grey Blue RAL 5008 (Fine texture) Designed in the 1960s, the Artifort Tulip co...
Fabric
Orange Slice Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
The famous Artifort orange slice chair by Pierre Paulin, designed in the 60s. This is an original set with chromed legs, they are produced in the 80s. ...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of light blue Mushroom lounge chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in amstelveen, NL
Pierre Paulin “Mushroom” Chairs for Artifort, 1960s A sculptural pair of Pierre Paulin’s iconic Mushroom lounge chairs for Artifort. These early-edition pieces feature the charact...
Chenille
Pierre Paulin Lounge Chair F572 for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
In 1967, Pierre Paulin designed this comfortable, round, sculpted chair for Artifort. The F572 model was produced for only a few years and is now a rare item. Its structure is made o...
Steel
"Little Tulip" Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Cute and very comfortable armchair. This "Little Tulip" armchair with cross base is designed by the famous Pierre Paulin in the 60's. This early and rare edition is fabricated by Ar...
Steel
Pierre Paulin for Artifort Beige Ribbon Chair
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Astoria, NY
Pierre Paulin for Artifort Beige Upholstered Ribbon Chair, with Turner Ltd label to the underside, mounted on painted wood and mirrored base. 28" H x 39" W x 29" D; seat: 15" H. Prov...
Steel
Artifort Mushroom Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin in STOCK
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
Mushroom lounge Tonus (BB) 0464 felt gliders Mushroom F 560 The Mushroom armchair is one of the world’s most famous designs. Designer Pierre Paulin distinguished himself with this a...
Fabric
Mid Century Modern Orange Orange Slice Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Dronten, NL
Artifort Model F437, or more famously nicknamed the Orange Slice Chair, was designed by French designer Pierre Paulin for the Dutch manufacturer Artifort in Maastricht in the mid 20t...
Steel, Chrome
Pierre Paulin, 557 or Tongue Chairs, Artifort, 1967, free color choice
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Paris, FR
An astonishingly comfortable Tongue chair, designed by French designer Pierre Paulin in the 1960s and produced by the renowned high-end seating manufacturer Artifort. The chair has ...
Metal
Orange Slice Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
The famous Artifort orange slice chair by Pierre Paulin, designed in the 60's. This is an original and early edition chair with ni...
Nickel
$8,119Sale Price|20% Off
Artifort Pierre Paulin Blue Ribbon Velvet Lounge Chair in Stock
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
A completely upholstered design by Pierre Paulin from 1966 and a professional, innovative vision on the well-known ribbon form. Metal frame with horizontal springs, covered with foam...
Velvet
Pierre Paulin, Pair of Spider Lounge Chairs "Model F678" for Artifort. 1966
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptional and rare pair of lounge chairs model F678, also known as the Spider Lounge Chair designed by the French designer Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort Furniture Comp...
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Velvet, Rope, Plywood
First edition F300 lounge chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, France 1964.
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Antwerp, BE
A striking pair of iconic F300 lounge chairs designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1964 — a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most sculptural and forward-thinking chair desi...
Fiberglass
$1,668Sale Price|20% Off
Artifort Pierre Paulin Little Tulip Swivel Chair in STOCK
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
upholstered in vidar 0554 - cat. FF base: p33 grey beige ral 1019 The Tulip midi was the missing member of the Tulip family for a long time. The armchair was designed by Pierre Pa...
Fabric
Pierre Paulin F-444 Lounge Chair by Artifort, 1960s — Mesh Seat
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Dronten, NL
A striking example of mid-century innovation, this F-444 lounge chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort epitomizes the designer’s sculptural yet functional approach to modern seating. D...
Steel
Orange Slice Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s, Set of 2
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
The famous Artifort orange slice chairs by Pierre Paulin. Designed in the 60s and produced in the 80s. Cute and very comfortable chairs. They have chrome metal legs. This gorgeous...
Metal
$12,099 / item
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Two Seat Outdoor Sofa for Gubi
By Gubi, Pierre Paulin
Located in Glendale, CA
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Two Seat Outdoor Sofa for Gubi Designed for durability, this authorized re-edition of the 'Pacha' Collection for outdoors is executed in a specially-developed ...
Steel