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.
Cowhide F675 Butterfly Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Izegem, VWV
The F675 als known as the Butterfly Chair was designed by Pierre Paulin in 1963 and manufactured by Artifort, Holland. This chair with elegant lines is edited with the original cow s...
Metal
Midcentury Set of 2 Model 442 Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning set of 2 Pierre Paulin "442" Chairs for Artifort, designed in the 1960s. These lovely chairs are also fabricated in the 1960s The combination of steel and the upholster...
Steel
Pierre Paulin 442 lounge chairs Artifort Netherlands 1962
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice minimalistic pair of model 442 lounge chairs designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort, The Netherlands 1962. This is for a pair of lounge chairs model 442 which is...
Stainless Steel
Pierre Paulin Artifort Wool Upholstery Oyster Chair Orange Wool Upholstery
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern oyster chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort. Light orange to deep yellow original wool upholstery.
Wool
H 28.35 in W 39.38 in D 29.14 in
Customizable Artifort Ribbon 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
H 26.78 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
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
H 27.56 in W 32.68 in D 32.68 in
Pierre Paulin, Orange Slice chair, Artifort, 1960
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Uppsala, SE
Model F437, or more famously nicknamed the Orange Slice, was designed by French designer Pierre Paulin for the Dutch manufacturer Artifort in the mid 20th century after he became acq...
Chrome
H 38.59 in W 32.29 in D 28.35 in
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
H 33.08 in W 33.08 in D 31.5 in
F555 Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very rare F555 model, designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in the 60's. Just upholstered with new foam and lovely high quality 100% wool fabric. The chair is ...
Metal
H 28.35 in W 39.38 in D 29.14 in
Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960's
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning Ribbon Chair, designed by the French designer Pierre Paulin in the 60's. This original chair is produced in the 60's by Artifort, The Netherlands. The Ribbon Chair is a pi...
Fabric, Wood
H 25.5 in W 31 in D 34 in
Mushroom Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1960s. Netherlands. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Blue Lambchop fabric
Fabric
H 27.75 in W 38 in D 30 in
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
H 26.38 in W 33.47 in D 29.53 in
French Design Classic Pierre Paulin for Artifort Mushroom Lounge Chair
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Renens, CH
Pierre Paulin was a Paris-born French designer, who created his best known pieces in cooperation with Artifort (The Netherlands). Famous are the Tongue, Ribbon or the Mushroom Chair,...
Fabric, Foam
H 24.41 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
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 original chair is completely restored. The foam...
Fabric
H 31.5 in Dm 43.31 in
Customizable Artifort Big Mushroom Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
A design that is so clearly Artifort as the mushroom is something that’s dear to our hearts. Designer Pierre Paulin distinguished himself with this armchair in the original shape, bright colours and revolutionary manufacturing technique for the time. The idea for the mushroom came to Pierre Paulin while he was watching women, shaped and sheathed in their swimming suits. He wanted the same thing for a seat. The inspiration can be found in the beautiful curves as well as in the seamless one-piece elastic fabric. The mushroom is the first piece of furniture that is manufactured with an seamless one-piece elastic cover method. Its original shape will mark the furniture of the 60s by inspiring many other creations with sculptural forms. Today, the seat is part of the permanent collection of MoMa (The Museum of Modern Art in New York). The round shapes and comfortable padding are a perfect match with bright colours for an original and trendy effect. This iconic armchair was once launched as the F562, and has been re-launched as big mushroom...
Textile
H 37.8 in W 32.29 in D 29.93 in
Pierre Paulin F-444 Lounge Chair by Artifort, 1960s — Mesh Seat
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
H 27.56 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Orange Slice Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Izegem, VWV
The F437 lounge chair, commonly known as the Orange Slice chair was created by French designer Pierre Paulin in 1960 and is one of the most popular design armchairs in the world. The...
Metal, Chrome
H 27.56 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Coral Orange Slice Lounge Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Set of 2
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Izegem, VWV
The F437 lounge chair, commonly known as the Orange Slice chair was created by French designer Pierre Paulin in 1960 and is one of the most popular design armchairs in the world. The...
Metal
H 25 in W 34 in D 25 in
Pair of Groovy Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of "Groovy" lounge chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort. Fully restored and upholstered in holly hunt / teddy / winter white.
Bouclé
H 29 in W 40.5 in D 30 in
Pair Pierre Paulin Ribbon Chairs for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Dallas, TX
Original pair of ribbon chairs model 582, designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort. A striking, space-age form with curving planes. Incredible swoo...
Bouclé, Wood
H 26 in W 30 in D 28 in
Pair of Early F580 Groovy Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of model F580 lounge chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort. These earlier examples are more sculptural and have a smaller footprint than the later versions. Fully restored an...
Bouclé
H 23.63 in Dm 33.47 in
F560 Mushroom Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Izegem, VWV
Plush, sculptural and low to the ground, the Mushroom chair is seating that prioritizes comfort over formality. Designed in 1960 to envelop the body, it a...
Wool
H 26 in W 31 in D 30 in
Pair of Early F580 Groovy Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of model F580 lounge chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort. These earlier examples are more sculptural and have a smaller footprint than the later versions. Fully restored an...
Bouclé
H 29.93 in W 28.75 in D 29.53 in
‘Ben’ Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Hilversum, NL
In the late 1960s and early 1970s French designer Pierre Paulin created several sculptural masterpieces for Dutch manufacturer Artifort. We are happy to offer this beautiful Artifort “Ben...
Aluminum
H 24.41 in W 33.47 in D 26.78 in
Vintage 'Groovy' or F598 Lounge Chair in Blue by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The 'Groovy' or 'M-chair' shell seat, model F598, was designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1973. It is a timeless and beautiful design that still finds great demand. This chair ...
Metal
H 24.41 in W 33.47 in D 26.78 in
Vintage 'Groovy' or F598 Lounge Chair in Red by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The 'Groovy' or 'M-chair' shell seat, model F598, was designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1973. It is a timeless and beautiful design that still finds great demand. This chair ...
Metal
H 27.17 in W 37.41 in D 29.53 in
Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Brussels, BE
Original ribbon chair by Pierre Paulin, edition Artifort in perfect condition, circa 1980.
Fabric, Wood
H 25 in W 33 in D 27 in
Pierre Paulin Artifort Pair of 'Groovy' Lounge Chairs in Red Wool Upholstery
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of groovy chairs F598 in red wool fabric by Pierre Paulin for Artifort.
Aluminum