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 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
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
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
$7,250Sale 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
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
$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
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
Artifort Orange Slice Low Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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
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
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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
$13,014Sale 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
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
"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 1960s. This particular table is fabricated around 2000. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by A...
Steel
Mid-Century Model T878 Spider Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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 Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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
Pierre Paulin CM172 desk for Thonet - 1970s
By Pierre Paulin
Located in BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FR
Vintage Pierre Paulin CM172 desk for Thonet, produced in the 1960s–70s. Crafted from light oak with a black steel frame, this iconic design combines clean modernist lines with funct...
Oak
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
Artifort Orange Slice High Coffee Table in Oak by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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
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
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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 Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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 Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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
"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 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This high quality table is made with t...
Metal
Round Dining Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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 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 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 in the 2004. This high quality table...
Metal
$7,595
H 29.5 in W 76 in D 38 in
1970s Romweber Burl Wood and Gold Trim Executive Desk with Filing Drawers
By Mastercraft, Romweber Furniture Co., Bernhard Rohne
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Luxury, pure and simple. Well maybe not so simple… this burled Carpathian elm wood executive desk wears its gold trim like fine jewelry. The vintage 1970s desk captures the glamour of the era. The chocolate hued wood is illuminated with brilliant gold-colored metal handles, legs, and bezel. This is no dainty beauty. Designed for serious work and sophisticated environments, the desk features a suite of functional enhancements rarely found in pieces of this era. Three pull‑out table tops, one at the back, and one on each side. These convenient pull-out tables expand the usable surface area for devices or collaborative work. A long center drawer with an integrated organizing tray keeps essentials elegantly contained. On the left and right, two shallow top drawers provide quick‑access storage. Two deep file drawers (one left, one right) accommodate modern organizational needs. These file drawers lock, one key is included. Attention to detail rings throughout the design. Meant to be admired from all angles, it is a true work of art. Romweber, founded in Indiana and known for its uncompromising standards, produced some of the finest American case goods of the 20th century. This desk is a testament to that legacy: substantial, impeccably built, and designed to endure for generations. Its scale, materials, and craftsmanship make it an exceptional choice for executives and collectors seeking a statement piece that communicates authority, taste, and heritage. We also have a matching, equally grand, Romweber executive office credenza with file...
Brass
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century walnut executive desk This desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance ...
Metal
$2,323
H 27.56 in W 34.65 in D 24.02 in
Postmodern Sketchbook Clairefontaine Desk by Pierre Sala, France 1980s.
By Pierre Sala
Located in Lille, FR
Table height: 70 cm. The top panel measures 88 cm by 61 cm without the spring. Good condition. The upper board has been repainted. Some fading on the legs, with a few spots and ot...
Wood, Paper
1968 Executive Desk
By Warren Platner
Located in Hanover, MA
Executive desk formerly belonging to noted architect George M. Notter, (1933–2007) of the Boston firm Anderson Notter Finegold (now known as Finegold Alexander Architects). Current institutional memory at the firm suggests it was a special order from Herman Miller for the then new New York offices of MGM, however Herman Miller's archivist was unable to confirm. Styling, particularly the distinctive slim milled aluminum tracks through which the entire drawer carriage glides is clearly similar to Warren Platner's designs for Lehigh-Leopold which were then among the most costly of executive office furnishings. The bent flat bar chromed steel base with its distinctive pigeon toe splay is somewhat similar to a table base in Stow Davis' Electa Series, designed by Alexis Yermakov circa 1971. Walnut laminate top is very clean with no issues. One corner edge shows a small separation. The only identifying markings are within the milled aluminum channel: G.P. F.I. 2 And the date Dec. 20, 1968. See image 18. Between the rectangular laminate top and the chrome base is a heavy blackened steel plate. Underneath the bent chrome pigeon toe feet are bars of a thick phenolic material which act as floor protector. We can have keys made to fit the two locking drawers. Tim Anderson...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Hollywood Regency Italian Gold Gilt & Glass Circular or Round Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage sheaf of wheat coffee table from Italy circa 1960's. It features gold gilded metal base with thick clear glass round top.
Steel
1950s Maple Wood Desk with Six Drawers
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
This 1950s desk is a refined example of the design of that era, featuring a maple-veneered wood frame. Its elegant design is enhanced by a double column of side drawers, offering amp...
Maple
$4,900
H 11 in W 48 in D 48 in
Midcentury Italian Sculptural Modern Square Travertine Marble Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple and sculptural square coffee table made of travertine for Italy circa 1970s. It features a very low profile with solid slab travertine construction with beautiful veining an...
Travertine
$3,800
H 31 in W 62 in D 38 in
Large Deep Walnut 9 Drawers Partners Style Antique Desk Brass Pulls Table Mint
By Baker Furniture Company, Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Deep Walnut 9 Drawers Partners Style antique desk brass pulls table mint.
Brass
Art Deco Coffee Table
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art deco coffee table, burr walnut. Professionally stained and repolished.
Walnut
$7,820
H 28.94 in W 55.12 in D 25.6 in
Guillerme & Chambron design desk, " votre Maison " edition, France circa 1960's
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in leucate, FR
Design solid Oak desk by Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron, " Votre Maison " edition. Free-moving top, on the left side a box composed of a niche and 3 drawers with black cerami...
Ceramic, Wood, Oak
A MID-CENTURY-MODERN Modernist DESK by THONET, France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
A rigorous and luxurious small desk, Modernist, Constructivist, Reconstruction, black lacquered square section metal structures, box with 3 drawers (and 1 drawer top) and 1 large lac...
Metal
Vintage Bird’s Eye Maple “Waterfall” Executive Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing a beautiful vintage executive desk, expertly designed in the United States during the 1970s, that seamlessly blends functionality with artistic flair. This desk showcases...
Birdseye Maple
Pierre Paulin for Thonet Desk Model CM141 France 1953s
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Oirlo, LI
Pierre Paulin (1927-2009), is one of the iconic designers of the post-war period. He studied at the Ecole Camondo where he was a student of the interior designer Maxime Old. Very qu...
Metal
Ligne Roset Ursuline Desk by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the stunning Ursuline Desk by renowned designer Pierre Paulin for Ligne Roset. This sleek and sophisticated piece is a true statement of luxury and style. Crafted from hi...
Wood
Pierre Paulin Modernist Desk, Model CM141, ca. 1953
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pierre Paulin Modernist desk model CM141 Produced by Thonet France, circa 1953
Metal
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1970s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 70's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This high quality table is made with the...
Metal
Sold
H 28.5 in W 39.25 in D 23.5 in
Smart Desk in Oak, Steel, and Laminate by Pierre Paulin, circa 1950
By Pierre Paulin
Located in New York City, NY
Oak, Steel, and Laminate Desk by Pierre Paulin, France Smart desk with clean lines and beautiful patina.
Oak
"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
Artifort Circle Table by Pierre Paulin in Stock
By Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
The foot as a perfect circle, and the result is a beautiful table. The Circle is perfect a simple design is a delight forever.
Oak
Fine French 1960s Desk by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Long Island City, NY
Pierre Paulin (1927-2009) - A fine French Mid-Century writing table with a black lacquered tubular metal base, a white laminated plywood top and a wooden drawer with a metal pull. Mo...
Metal
Pierre Paulin Desk Model CM 217. France Edition Thonet, 1962
By Pierre Paulin
Located in VILLERS-SUR-MER, FR
A very rare Pierre Paulin (1922-2009) model CM 217 desk with square tubular legs in black lacquered metal on which rests a plywood top covered with black laminate, suspended pedestal...
Metal
CM 178 Desk in oak and metal by Pierre Paulin, Thonet, 1957
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Saint Ouen, France
CM 178 Desk in oak and metal by Pierre Paulin, Thonet, 1957 Born in 1927, Pierre Paulin enrolled at the end of the war at the Camondo school where his artistic and technical qualities were quickly noticed by his teacher Maxime Old who encouraged him to enter the studio of Marcel Gascoin, one of the creators of the UAM. At the end of this first experience, he joined the decoration department of Galeries Lafayette where, thanks to the director of the Masters Geneviève...
Metal
Early ‘CM141’ Desk by Pierre Paulin for Thonet, France, 1953
By Pierre Paulin, Thonet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Admire this early ‘CM141’ desk by Pierre Paulin for Thonet, France 1953. This perfect proportioned desk features a black lacquer...
Steel
"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. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This high quality table is made with ...
Metal