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.
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
Customizable Artifort Little Tulip Swivel Barstool by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
Elegance through and through. Delicate, flowing, cheerful, light. Like a blossoming flower or a friendly smile. Available with a disk-shaped or cross-foot base. Both styles are equal...
Textile
$1,356 / item
Customizable Artifort Moulin Stool by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
Moulin bar stool Design by Pierre Paulin Designed in the late 1950s, the Moulin chair family reflects Pierre Paulin’s early explorations of elegant, minimalist seating forms. The ad...
Textile, Upholstery
$4,800 / set
Bar Stools by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Dallas, TX
Bar stools by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1965. Both stools are very comfortable, in excellent condition and have been professionally reupholstered in boucle textile.
Steel
Artifort Little Tulip Stool by Pierre Paulin in STOCK
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
Elegance through and through. Delicate, flowing, cheerful, light. Like a blossoming flower or a friendly smile. M2L little tulip B 70cm/27.5" seat height Arm height is 91cm /25.8" S...
Fabric
Pierre Paulin "Little Tulip" Bar Stools by Artifort, Pair
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Monrovia, CA
LITTLE TULIP designer Pierre Paulin, 1965. Made in The Netherlands by Artifort. "A chair should be more than simply functional. It should be friendly, fun and colorful." -Pierre Paulin "Little Tulip" like a blossoming flower, the little tulip barstool...
Aluminum, Chrome
2010s Pierre Paulin for Artifort Mushroom P560 Foot Stool 2x Available
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a P560 Mushroom Stool or Pouffe, initially designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1963. These examples date to the 2010s, and they were produced in Denmark. The listed pri...
Steel
$1,668Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 25.2 in D 22.84 in
Artifort Pierre Paulin Little Tulip Swivel Chair in STOCK
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
$6,817 / set
H 25.99 in W 35.44 in D 32.29 in
Mushroom Armchair and Ottoman by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning Mushroom set, designed by Pierre Paulin and fabricated by Artifort in the 60s. This very comfortable and cosy set is just covered with beautiful and the highest quality ...
Fabric
$20,486 / set
H 28.35 in W 39.38 in D 29.14 in
French Design Pierre Paulin, Ribbon Chairs by Artifort, 1990s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Renens, CH
The Ribbon Chair, with its distinctive silhouette is an iconic piece of furniture designed in 1966 by Pierre Paulin: Pierre Paulin was a Paris-born French designer, who created his...
Metal
$8,180
H 30.32 in W 27.56 in D 26.78 in
Artifort Tulip Chairs by Pierre Paulin, Set of Four in Burgundy Wool Fabric
Located in Nottingham, GB
An iconic set of four Tulip lounge chairs designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, one of the most celebrated seating designs of the 20th century. Introduced in the mid-1960s, the Tul...
Stainless Steel
Little Tulip Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Cute and very comfortable pivoting armchair, designed by the famous Pierre Paulin in the 60's. Fabricated by Artifort in the 80's. Solid round metal bas...
Steel
$5,867
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
Tongue 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 60's and produced by Artifort. This original chair is completely restored. The foam...
Fabric
Tonny Bar Stool
Located in Paris, FR
Bar Stool Tonny with steel structure in polished finish, swivel stool with solid walnut wood under seat and backrest, upholstered and covered with genuine italian leather in white...
Leather, Walnut
$3,000 / set
H 29 in W 17 in D 19 in
Pair of Black Powder Coated Faux Antler Bar Stools by Arthur Court
By Arthur Court
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of black faux antlers and leopard print velvet swivel bar stools designed by Arthur Court in the 1970’s. Constructed of black powder coated cast aluminum and leopard print vel...
Aluminum
$3,723 / item
H 31.11 in W 33.86 in D 28.35 in
Customizable Artifort Tulip Midi Armchair by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
Vinyl The Tulip Midi was the missing member of the Tulip family for a long time. The armchair was designed by Pierre Paulin in 1960 and now completes the Tu...
Textile
Pair of 'Antibes' Swiveling Bar Stools by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of swiveling bar stools by Design Frères. 30 in. seat height. Suitable for bar, not counter height.
Steel
F555 Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
Pair of Pierre Paulin Little Tulip Chairs for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Pierre Paulin little tulip chairs for Artifort, circa 1965, swivel, enameled metal bases with upholstered sculptural form seat...
Metal
Artifort Swivel Blue Little Tulip by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
Pair Of Pierre Paulin Style Mushroom Ottomans
By Karl Springer, Marge Carson, Pierre Paulin, Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Pierre Paulin Style Mushroom Ottomans. This great pair of mid century modern mushroom ottomans or poufs with chrome bases have been newly upholstered in plush blue velvet. Be...
Chrome
Pair of Vintage Leather Tulip Bar Stools by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in London, GB
A magnificent pair of vintage leather tulip bar stools by Pierre Paulin. They were originally designed in 1965, this set were made in the Netherlands by Arti...
Steel
Set of Four Vintage Leather Tulip Bar Stools by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in London, GB
A magnificent set of four vintage leather tulip bar stools by Pierre Paulin. They were originally designed in 1965, this set were made in the Netherlan...
Steel
Pierre Paulin Mushroom Pouffe
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pierre Paulin was a French furniture and interior designer. He became very well known when he began working for Artifort in Maastricht, Netherlands in the 1960's. Paulin introduces n...
Steel
Sold
H 19.69 in Dm 13.78 in
Mid-Century Modern Orange Mushroom Stool by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Orange Mushroom stool by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s.
Fabric
Vinyl Mushroom Stool by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of stools stamped Artifort. Wear due to time and age of stools.
Fabric
Artifort Little Tulip Stool Desgined by Pierre Paulin in STOCK
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
The Little Tulip® barstool for Artifort…. as if designer Pierre Paulin had premonitions of Flower Power. Elegance through and through. Delicate, flowing, ...
Faux Leather
Sold
H 43.31 in W 26.78 in D 27.56 in
Pierre Paulin "Little Tulip" Set of 2 Swiveling Barstools for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in The Hague, NL
Set of 2 "Little Tulip" swiveling barstools designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort, Netherlands. The Little Tulip design barstool and...
Chrome
Sold
H 15 in W 20 in D 15 in
Original Pierre Paulin "Mushroom" Pouf or Stool by Artifort, Netherlands, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Miami, FL
Original mushroom pouf, stool, or ottoman rendered in charcoal gray wool flannel upholstery designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort, Netherlands, 1960s. Priced indi...
Metal
Original Pierre Paulin "Mushroom" Pouf or Stool by Artifort, Netherlands, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Miami, FL
Original mushroom pouf, stool, or ottoman rendered in woven off-white wool upholstery designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort, Netherlands, 1960s. Priced individual...
Metal
Sold
H 43.31 in W 26.78 in L 43.31 in
Pierre Paulin "Little Tulip" Set of 2 Swiveling Barstools for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in The Hague, NL
Set of 2 "Little Tulip" swiveling barstools designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort, Netherlands. The Little Tulip design barstool and...
Chrome
Artifort Mushroom P Stool in Stripes by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
Sold
H 36 in W 26.75 in D 24 in
Vintage Pierre Paulin Tulip Bar Stools Restored in Zebra Hide, Set of Three
By Pierre Paulin
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
We love the design of Pierre Paulin's little Tulip bar stool! Paulin was inspired by the simplicity of the tulip flower as it spreads its half-open pet...
Chrome
Pierre Paulin "Mushroom" Pouf or Ottoman for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Miami, FL
Original tonus wool "Mushroom" pouf or ottoman or stool with custom chrome base designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort.
Chrome