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.
$9,000Sale Price|60% Off
Pierre Paulin Bird's-Eye Maple and Walnut Parquetry Writing Table
By Pierre Paulin, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Exceedingly rare Pierre Paulin reception desk or writing table for Baker. Bird's-eye maple veneers inlaid with dark walnut in the signature motif for the Paulin collection. Very well...
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
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
Pierre Paulin Maple "Model 250" Executive Desk with Cabinets for Dassas, France
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very rare "Model 250" executive desk with detached rolling filing cabinets designed by Pierre Paulin for Dassas, France, 1975. Constructed of gorgeous Birdseye Maple. Drawers and cab...
Steel
$6,619Sale Price|20% Off
Bureau moderniste vintage Pierre Paulin en bois de chêne et métal noir années 60
By Pierre Paulin
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Bureau vintage des années 50, très beau design moderniste épuré de Pierre Paulin, modèle CM178 pour Thonet, plateau et tiroir suspendu en bois de chêne avec poignée en métal noir, pi...
Metal
$7,468Sale Price|20% Off
Desk by Pierre Paulin, CM141 design editited by Thonet, France, 1960's
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Paris, FR
Desk CM141 designed by Pierre Paulin, Thonet Edition, 1950-60's, France
Metal
$13,430Sale Price / set|20% Off
1st Edition 'Tulip' Dining Set by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Netherlands, 1965
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Very rare and complete 1st edition dinner set by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Netherlands – 1965. This is a rare and complete 1st edition set. The chairs swivel. The table top has been professionally refinished in the same colour. The fabric is still original but shows a lot of staining. The legs have some normal signs of age and us. This set is extremely rare and could feature in a Paulin / Artifort museum or dedicated art show. Reupholstery on request. Designer: Pierre Paulin (France) Manufacturer: ARTIFORT (Netherlands) Country: Netherlands Model: Tulip table and chairs...
Metal
Pierre Paulin Élysée Coffee or Cocktail Table 2, Alpha International, Circa 1971
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Miami, FL
Rare and Important Iconic 20th century design Élysée low table, coffee or cocktail table. This piece is an edition of the design by Pierre Paulin for the Private Living Room of Presi...
Aluminum
$14,000Sale Price|20% Off
Pierre Paulin Bird's-Eye Maple and Walnut Inlay Executive Desk
By Pierre Paulin, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Pierre Paulin executive desk for Baker. Bird's-eye maple veneers inlaid with dark walnut in the signature motif for the Paulin Collection. Drawers are fitted to give a floating ...
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Circle Table with Zebrano Top
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Voorburg, NL
Designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, this Circle table exemplifies the designer’s refined modernist approach and mastery of form. Produced in the Netherlands, the table features a...
Aluminum, Chrome
Élysée Dining Table By Pierre Paulin France, 1970s
By Pierre Paulin
Located in LE PRÉ-SAINT-GERVAIS, FR
Élysée Dining Table By Pierre Paulin France, 1970s The Élysée dining table, designed by Pierre Paulin, is a refined example of French modern desi...
Glass
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. This particular table is fabricated around 2000. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by A...
Steel
A " CM 191 " Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin France 1970s
By Pierre Paulin
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A simple coffee table by Pierre Paulin France 1960s. Model : CM 191 Editor : Thonet Veneering Ash Wood and black lacquered metal. Report : two stains on the top ( please check the...
Metal
CM 191 coffee table by Pierre Paulin, Thonet 1959
By Pierre Paulin
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Coffee table model CM 191 designed by Pierre Paulin in the late 1950s, produced by Ligne Roset. The rectangular solid wood top with a clear finish rests on a black lacquered steel w...
Metal
Artifort Orange Slice Low Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
Orange Slice table was especially designed as a table with the fauteuil. The Orange Slice table is available in two sizes. The base is either chrome...
Textile
Fine French 1960s Round Gueridon or Side Table by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Long Island City, NY
With a cast aluminum pedestal and a rosewood round top. Designed by Pierre Paulin, edited by Artifort.
Aluminum
Mid-Century Model T878 Spider Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning and very rare coffee table, Spider series (model T878). Designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in the 1960s. The table was only made in limited numbers. It has a p...
Glass, Plywood
Mid-Century Model T878 Spider Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning and very rare coffee table, Spider series (model T878). Designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in the 1960s. The table was only made in limited numbers. It has a p...
Glass, Plywood
1967, Pierre Paulin, Side Table Model 877 in Shiny Brown
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Side table in brown. Has traces of wear like some scratches on top (picture #5) and some loss of paint (see picture #6 and #7). Stackable in two ways (see picture #9 and #10). Side t...
Plastic
$9,113Sale Price|20% Off
Table à manger ou à écrire carrée Pierre Paulin vintage en bois de palissandre
By Pierre Paulin
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Belle table à manger ou à écrire vintage des années 70, attribuée au designer français Pierre Paulin, série Dassas pour les éditions Strafor, plateau carré aux bords arrondis en bois...
Metal
Artifort Orange Slice High Coffee Table in Oak by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
Orange Slice table was especially designed as a table with the fauteuil. The Orange Slice table is available in two sizes. The base is either chrome...
Oak
Round Dining Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round dining table. Designed by the famous Pierre Paulin in the 60's for Artifort. This particular item is fabricated in 2019. Very stable foot in the color grey with a ...
Metal
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. This particular table is fabricated end 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Arti...
Steel
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. This particular table is fabricated end 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by A...
Steel
"Circle" Coffee or Side Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely round coffee or side table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This particular item is fabricated a...
Metal
Round Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort in the 2004. This high quality table...
Metal
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. This particular table is fabricated end 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Arti...
Steel
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. This particular table is fabricated end 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Arti...
Steel
"Circle" Coffee or Side Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely round coffee or side table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This particular item is fabricated a...
Metal
$1,019 / item
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This high quality table is made with t...
Metal
"Circle" Coffee or Side Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely round coffee or side table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This particular item is fabricated a...
Metal