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 Orange Slice Lounge Chair Artifort signed
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Den Haag, NL
Iconic Orange Slice model Lounge chair designed by French designer Pierre Paulin in 1957. this model was produced by Artifort in the 1980s An Lounge chair with an astonishing desig...
Chrome
Pierre Paulin Butterfly Lounge Chairs model F675, Artifort The Netherlands 1963
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pierre Paulin Butterfly chairs model F675, Artifort The Netherlands 1963 First rare early editions. Reupholstered years ago and now already broken i...
Steel
$5,400 / set
Pierre Paulin for Artifort Pair of Lounge Chairs
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Paulin for Artifort, pair of armchairs, model '442/3', grey upholstery and steel by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, the Netherlands, 1960s These comfortable chairs shows elegant ...
Steel
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
Mid Century Pierre Paulin F557 Swivel Lounge Chairs for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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
Gubi Pacha Lounge Chair in Karakorum Stripe Fabric by Pierre Paulin - In Stock
By Gubi, Pierre Paulin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Legendary French designer Pierre Paulin originally designed the Pacha Lounge Chair in 1975. Paulin designed the chair in harmony with the changing design style of its period, replaci...
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam
$10,406 / 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
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...
Metal, Chrome
Gubi Pacha Swivel Lounge Upholstered Chair in Pearl Gold Base by Pierre Paulin
By Gubi, Pierre Paulin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Legendary French designer Pierre Paulin originally designed the Pacha Lounge Chair in 1975. Paulin designed the chair in harmony with the changing design style of its period, replaci...
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam
Pierre Paulin, Orange Slice chair, Artifort, 1960
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Lounge Chair with Returning Swivel for GUBI
By Gubi, Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, 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, 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
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
Set of 2 F557 Lounge Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely and very comfortable lounge chair set, designed by Pierre Paulin in 1961. This model F557 is the first edition of the Oyster Chair and is shortly produced (till 1965), that's...
Metal
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Early Production Pierre Paulin 'Mushroom' Chairs for Artifort, 1960s, Signed
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A collectors pair of early production year (circa 1965 to 1975) Pierre Paulin 'Mushroom' lounge chairs for Artifort, Netherlands, based on construction, materials and style of signat...
Fabric, Foam
Pierre Paulin, Lounge Chair, Mohair, Metal, Germany, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin
Located in High Point, NC
A blue mohair and chrome-plated metal lounge chair, model CM236, designed by Pierre Paulin and produced by Thonet, Germany, 1960s. Reupholstered in brand new mohair. Overall Dimens...
Metal
Pierre Paulin for Artifort Mid Century Ribbon Chairs with Ottoman
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Pierre Paulin for Artifort Mid Century Ribbon Chairs with Ottoman The chair measures: 39.5 wide x 30 deep x 27.75 high, with a seat height of 15 inches and arm height/chair clearanc...
Upholstery
Pair of Groovy Chairs F598 designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
Pierre Paulin Set of 2 F598 Groovy Armchairs for Artifort New Upholstery, 1972
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in The Hague, NL
Set of 2 groovy lounge chairs designed by Pierre Paulin in 1972 and manufactured for Artifort, Holland. Model No: F598, or also known as "M" chair. Chairs has been newly reupholstere...
Metal
The Iconic "Anneau" (AP-14) by Pierre Paulin for A.P. Polak The Netherlands 1956
By Pierre Paulin
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Beautiful Anneau Chair designed by Pierre Paulin produced by Dutch manufacturer AP Polak. This model is also know as the AP 14 We hand selected the finest piece of thick sling saddl...
Steel, Chrome
Pierre Paulin F598 Groovy Armchair for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
$3,566Sale Price|40% Off
F598 Groovy 'M' Chair in orange/red boucle by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in amstelveen, NL
The Groovy chair, or F598, was designed in 1973 by France’s top designer Pierre Paulin for Holland’s most Avant-Garde furniture maker Artifort. Their compactness combined with great ...
Fabric
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
Pierre Paulin F500 lounge chair Artifort Netherlands 1975
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
An extraordinary opportunity to acquire an exceedingly rare lounge chair model F500, designed by the legendary Pierre Paulin and produced by Artifort in Holland in 1975. This sculptu...
Fabric
1970s Pierre Paulin for Artifort F303 Lounge Chair, a Pair
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a pair of Model F 303 chairs by legendary French furniture designer Pierre Paulin for Artifort, circa the 1970s. This stunning pair showcases a hard polyurethane molded shell, clear leg glides and a newly reupholstered seat. This low-slung chair...
Fabric, Plastic
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
Pair of Pierre Paulin CM 194 Armchairs for Thonet, France, circa 1958
By Thonet, Pierre Paulin
Located in Miami, FL
Distinctive pair of mid 20th century design armchairs, model CM 194. This pair of chairs are early works designed by the visionary designer Pierre Paulin for Th...
Steel
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Upholstered Ottoman with Black Base for Gubi
By Gubi, Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Upholstered Ottoman with Black Base for Gubi Pierre Paulin’s first sketches for what would become the 'Pacha' Collection were simple pencil outlines that rese...
Cotton, Wood
Pair of Pierre Paulin Lounge Chairs Early French Model F580 for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional pair of first-edition F580 lounge chairs designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort in the Netherlands. Among Paulin's most sculptural seating designs, the F5...
Steel
Pierre Paulin F444 lounge chair for Artifort Netherlands 1963
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This stunning and original F444 lounge chair, designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort in 1963, captures the experimental spirit of the 1960s. During this period, desig...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Pierre Paulin "M" Lounge Chairs Model F580 for Artifort 1st Edition
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of First Edition Pierre Paulin F580 Lounge Chairs for Artifort, 1960s – Sculptural Serenity in Motion A rare, all-original pair of first edition F580 lounge chairs by visionary ...
Wool
Pierre paulin ''Oyster ' Lounge chair for Artifort 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Den Haag, NL
Artifort "Oyster" easy chair .New Upholstery in bright Blue Purple fabric ,early version .1960s Design by Pierre Paulin . Very good condition . Good seating comfort .
Fabric
Pair Swivel Lounge Chairs Model 421 by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1970s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of Pierre Paulin lounge chairs model 421 made by Artifort, circa 1970. Both chairs are in very good condition and ready to use. The swivel mechanism works perfectly. Rare and fi...
Chrome
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Upholstered Ottoman with Pearl Base for Gubi
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Upholstered Ottoman with Pearl Base for Gubi Pierre Paulin’s first sketches for what would become the 'Pacha' Collection were simple pencil outlines that rese...
Cotton, Wood
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Outdoor Armchair with Returning Swivel for Gubi
By Gubi, Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Original Pierre Paulin, Reupholstered Mushroom Chair by Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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
Mid Century Modern Orange Orange Slice Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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 F444 Lounge Chair in Black Leather – All Original, Vintage
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
First edition F300 lounge chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, France 1964.
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
F780 Concorde Lounge Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in New Upholstery
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Den Haag, NL
Concorde Lounge chairs designed by Pierre Paulin and made by Artifort. This chair was originally designed by Pierre Paulin for the waiting room of the French Concorde aircraft, after...
Aluminum
$12,099 / item
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Two Seat Outdoor Sofa for Gubi
By Gubi, Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Customizable Artifort Ribbon Lounge 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
'F444' Leather lounge chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Brussels, BE
Iconic F444 Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin A true design classic. The F444 lounge chair is a standout piece in the legacy of renowned French designer Pierre Paulin, a visionary born ...
Stainless Steel
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Outdoor Lounge Chair with Returning Swivel for Gubi
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
Located in Los Angeles, 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
One Early Pierre Paulin F598 "Groovy" Chair for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Palm Springs, CA
One iconic early Pierre Paulin "groovy" chair, reupholstered in a Maharam woven fabric, with new foam. Known for its striking, sculptural shape. It is also known as the "M" chair due...
Metal
Pierre Paulin F675 Butterfly chairs Artifort Netherlands 1963
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Striking pair of model F675 chairs designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort, The Netherlands 1963. These chairs have nickel-plated geometric f...
Steel
$12,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair First Edition "Big Tulip" Lounge Chairs F551 by Pierre Paulin Artifort 1959
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Very rare pair of the first edition of the "Big Tulip" chair, model F551 Just Married! Designed by French designer Pierre Paulin in 1959 for Artifort, The Netherlands Reuph...
Steel, Nickel
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
Pair of F598 Groovy Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Netherlands, 1970s
By Pierre Paulin
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
The F598 Groovy chairs, designed in the early 1970s by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, are iconic expressions of the optimistic, sculptural language that defined Paulin’s work during thi...
Metal
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
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
Big Tulip Chair Set by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
A set with 2 very comfortable and original Big Tulip lounge chairs. These chairs are designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1965. This low version without head rest is a rare...
Metal
Midcentury Model F572 Set by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1967
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning creation of the French designer Pierre Paulin. He designed this model (F572) for Artifort in 1967 and it is produced for just a few years. This magnificent set is upho...
Fabric, Foam
Pierre Paulin "Pumpkin" Swivel Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Ligne Roset, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Pierre Paulin Pumpkin swivel chairs and matching ottoman. Set is upholstered with designer and manufacturer label. Manufactured by Ligne Roset. France, 1971. Chairs: 27.5 h ...
Upholstery
Orange Slice chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
A timeless 'Orange Slice' lounge chair which was designed in the 1960s by Pierre Paulin and produced eversince by Artifort. A beautiful, elegant design that stood the test of time....
Chrome
Artifort Tulip F545 Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin, White Leather
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Dronten, NL
An icon of modernist design, the Tulip F545 lounge chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort exemplifies sculptural elegance and exceptional comfort. Its fluid, organic silhouette—instantl...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Tongue Lounge 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 60s and produced by Artifort. This lovely chair has the original high quality Kvad...
Fabric, Foam
1959, Pierre Paulin, Large Early Oyster, Easy Chair F157 in Brown Leather
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Beautiful Classic design. Brand new upholstery in soft comfortable leather, but there is a spot where the upholstery is not glued completely tightly to the backrest of the seat (see...
Metal
1967, Tongue by Pierre Paulin by Artifort in Orange Green Upholstery
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Iconic Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin. The soft, streamlined form, shapely lines of this sculptural and comfortable Tongue chair, was designed in the 60s and produced by Artifort. Th...
Fabric
Pair of Pierre Paulin First Edition "Big Tulip" for Artifort Lounge Chairs
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Pierre Paulin First Edition "Big Tulip" for Artifort lounge chairs.