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.
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
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
From $3,000 / item
H 20.48 in Dm 13.78 in
Mastea High Coffee Table in Murano Glass & Walnut Base, by Matteo Zorzenoni
By Miniforms, Matteo Zorzenoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This high coffee and side-table comes with a base and top in Canaletto walnut, natural ash, ash stained black, intense blue or anthracite. The structure's body is made out of blown Murano glass, available in amber, blue-grey or smoke grey. Here you are shown the Mastea coffee table in the Canaletto walnut base finish and in the high size. If you are interested in the natural ash, ash stained black, anthracite ash or Intense blue base structures. Matteo Zorzenoni started to experiment with Murano glass in the 1970s and, even if the generations have changed, the glass is blown as it once was: it needs a master glassblower and two strong lungs. Working with this material every day is like revisiting a traditional dish. The ingredients are the same but there is something new in the taste. Matteo Zorzenoni's research is mainly focused on materials and their limits, aimed at discovering their potential. His projects have been exhibited at: Maxxi Museum in Rome, the Biennale of Art and Design in St. Etienne, the London Design Festival, the Venice Biennale. Matteo Zorzenoni was a professor at the IUAV in Venice, collaborates with the IED in Madrid and hosted a laboratory for Domaine de Boisbuchet (Vitra Design Museum). After a collaboration with Fabrica, Benetton Communication Research Center, he started a new project with Jaime Hayon, which is still ongoing. His research in the craft sector continues with projects for customers, including Cappellini, Mercedes Benz, Replay, Alcantara, Bosa Ceramiche...
Wood, Blown Glass
Kolos Low Coffee Table, by Yonoh Studio
By Miniforms, Yonoh Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kolos is formed in a plaster mould in a pottery where craftsmen apply the glaze and then fire the table. Although shiny and polished to the touch, the material it is made of is evide...
Ceramic
$18,750
H 16.75 in Dm 39.5 in
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
Modern Solid Wood and Glass Coffee Table by Pierre Sarkis
By Pierre Sarkis
Located in Guatemala City, Central America
Modern solid wood and glass cocktail table by Pierre Sarkis from Valentina Collection. Inspired in the Origami Folds theory, finding in b...
Glass, Wood, Mahogany
$16,450
H 18.5 in W 40 in D 40 in
Echo Coffee Table in Orange, Translucent Polyurethane Resin, by Ian Cochran
By Ian Cochran
Located in New York, NY
Echo coffee table by Ian Alistair Cochran. Represented by Tuleste Factory Solid Resin W 40" x H 18.5" x D/L 40" W 101.6 x H 47 x D/L 101.6 cm ...
Resin
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
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
"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
$1,452
H 15.75 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Model 100 Coffee Table by Kho Liang Ie for Artifort, the Netherlands, 1974
By Kho Liang Ie, Artifort
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This coffee table, model 100, was designed by Kho Liang Ie for Artifort in 1974. It has an extruded and andonized aluminum base with a smoked glass top. This table is in a very good ...
Aluminum
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
"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 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
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
Sold
H 29 in W 72 in D 36 in
Pierre Paulin for Baker Bird's-Eye Maple and Leather Top Geometric Desk, 1984
By Pierre Paulin, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare desk by Pierre Paulin for 'The Paulin Collection' by Baker features incredible angular lines of Bird's-Eye Maple and inset leather. With a slightly art deco influence and a...
Leather, Birdseye Maple
Sold
H 29.14 in Dm 43.31 in
Pierre Paulin Flower Shape 8810 Round Dinning Table for Boro Belgium, 1975
By Pierre Paulin, BORO Belgium
Located in The Hague, NL
The Flower organic shape round dinning table designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Boro 8810 in Belgium, 1970's period. Not many of this series pieces have survived and therefore this table is rare museum quality piece in original condition. Pierre Paulin’s collaboration with the Belgium manufacturers Boro produced a stunning example of early plastic furniture. The organic design of the 8810 Flower chair...
Metal
Rare Pierre Paulin Rosewood Coffee Table for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Paris, FR
Pierre Paulin oval coffee table for Artifort, circa 1960. Here, a very first one edition, extremely rare to find with the oval rosewood top. Very good condition. Literatur...
Stainless Steel
Set of Pierre Paulin Fiberglass Table and Six Chairs, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Paris, IDF
French designer Pierre Paulin was most known for his chairs, which featured comfortable, body-conforming curves and soft materials, as seen here. This set of a dining table and six c...
Fiberglass, Wool
Pierre Paulin Side or Standing / Meeting Table, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in The Hague, NL
White powder coated foot and multiplex top with light blue Formica top.
Metal
Pierre Paulin Coffee Table for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Paris, FR
Pierre Paulin oval coffee table for Artifort, circa 1960. We also got the round coffee table, with the higher height to make the perfect set. Excellent condition. Literature ...
Stainless Steel
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
Pierre Paulin Model "CM 141" Desk for Thonet
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This stunning mid-century modern Pierre Paulin Model "CM 141" desk for Thonet features fabulous lines enhanced by its partial jet black top which contrasts with...
Iron
