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.
Gubi Pacha Lounge Chair in Karakorum Stripe Fabric by Pierre Paulin - In Stock
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
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
Pair of Pierre Paulin CM 195 Armchair for Thonet France Circa 1958
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Pierre Paulin CM 195 Armchair for Thonet France Circa 1958
Steel
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, Little Tulip chair, Artifort, 1960
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Uppsala, SE
Little Tulip chair (originally known as the F163), designed in the 1960s by Pierre Paulin. The Artifort Tulip collection remains a true Mid-Century Modern icon. A perfect fusion of e...
Metal, Chrome
Two Early Pierre Paulin F598 "Groovy" Chair for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Two iconic early Pierre Paulin "groovy" chairs, reupholstered in a Maharam woven fabric, with new foam. Known for its striking, sculptural shape. It is also known as the "M" chair du...
Metal
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
Pair of Original Ribbon Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of iconic Ribbon Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort. Original Made in the Netherlands labels.
Upholstery, Linen, Wood
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Outdoor Armchair with Returning Swivel for Gubi
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
Located in Glendale, 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
Pumpkin Chair by Pierre Paulin for Ligne Roset
By Ligne Roset, Pierre Paulin
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2020s. France. White boucle fabric with stationary base.
Bouclé
Pierre Paulin, Ribbon Chair, Fabric, Wood, Artifort, Netherlands, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Lounge Chair with Returning Swivel for GUBI
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
Located in Glendale, 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 Groovy armchair 1970s.
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in bari, IT
The Groovy chair, also known by catalog code F598, is one of the absolute masterpieces of Pierre Paulin, the French designer of the 1960s and 1970s. Designed in 1972 for the Dutch co...
Fabric
Pierre Paulin 'Boston' Garden Chairs for Henry Massonnet in Black and Red
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Boston garden chairs by French furniture designer Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Henry Massonnet/STAMP in 1988. Paulin was influenced here by (and ...
Plastic
Pierre Paulin Pacha Lounge Chair for Gubi
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
Located in Skokie, IL
Pierre Paulin classic Pacha Lounge Chair for Gubi. This chair features a non swivel base. A mid-century modern dark, rounded lounge chair with a low pro...
Upholstery, Plastic
Customizable Artifort Swivel Tulip Lounge with Ottoman by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
The Tulip armchair for Artifort…. as if designer Pierre Paulin had premonitions of Flower Power! The simple Tulip spreads its half-open petals around the sitter, inviting and warming...
Textile
Pierre Paulin x Jack Lenor Larsen little tulip armchair by Artifort
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Pierre Paulin
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Rare Jack Lenor Larsen Mementum fabrics little Tulip chair. Made by Artifort - Netherlands
Chrome
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
‘Dangari’ armchairs by Pierre Paulin for Allibert, 1978.
By Allibert, Pierre Paulin
Located in Athens, Attiki
‘Dangari’ armchairs by Pierre Paulin for Allibert, 1978. Injection-molded “Ultra Resin” The ‘Dangari’ was one of Allibert’s best-selling chairs for many years. Even today, Allibert i...
Plastic
Artifort Tulip F545 Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin, White Leather
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
$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
$10,103 / item
Customizable Artifort Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
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
Model "577" Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, The Netherlands 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Utrecht, NL
Artifort was founded in 1890, when Jules Wagemans started a business as an upholsterer in Maastricht. A great deal changed with the arrival of the interior and furniture designer Kho...
Metal
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
$7,601Sale Price / set|46% Off
Pair of Groovy Chairs F598 designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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, Pair of Spider Lounge Chairs "Model F678" for Artifort. 1966
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptional and rare pair of lounge chairs model F678, also known as the Spider Lounge Chair designed by the French designer Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort Furniture Comp...
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Velvet, Rope, Plywood
Set of 2 F557 Lounge Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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
Model F580 Groovy Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1966
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely and very comfortable Artifort Groovy Chair (or "M" Chair), model F580. This model is designed by Pierre Paulin in 1966. These particular chairs are the very first edition wi...
Metal
$17,928 / set
Pierre PAULIN - pair of "Groovy" armchair
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of two iconic Groovy lounge chairs designed in 1972 by Pierre Paulin and produced by Artifort in the Netherlands. Model F598, also known as the A&M chair, these sculptural se...
Metal
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
Model F580 Groovy Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1966
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely and very comfortable Artifort Groovy Chair (or "M" Chair), model F580. This model is designed by Pierre Paulin in 1966. These particular chairs are the very first edition wi...
Metal
Beige Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Mid-Century Modern
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Astoria, NY
Pierre Paulin for Artifort Beige Upholstered Ribbon Chair, with Turner Ltd label to the underside, mounted on painted wood and mirrored base. 28" H x 39" W x 29" D; seat: 15" H. Prov...
Steel
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
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
Mid-Century Little Tulip Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very comfortable and turnable Armchair, named "Little Tulip". Designed by the famous Pierre Paulin in te 60's. Fabricated by Artifort in the 80's. Solid metal base with a wooden f...
Steel
Pierre Paulin “CM178” Desk for Thonet – 1950s, France
By Pierre Paulin, Thonet
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A rare “CM178” desk designed by Pierre Paulin for Thonet in the 1950s. A refined example of French mid-century design, this desk features a black lacquered tubular metal frame and a ...
Steel
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
Little Tulip Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
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
Model F580 Groovy Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1966
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely and very comfortable Artifort Groovy Chair (or "M" Chair), model F580. This model is designed by Pierre Paulin in 1966. These particular chairs are the very first edition wi...
Metal
Set of 4 Little Tulip Armchairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Set of 4 Little Tulip Armchairs. These cute and very comfortable armchairs are designed by the famous French designer Pierre Paulin in the 60's. ...
Steel
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...
Chrome
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 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 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
ABCD 2-seat Sofa by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960's
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning sculptural ABCD 2-seat sofa, designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1968. The sofa is composed of three separate segments, characterized by the lovely wave-shaped curves...
Metal
Artifort Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Amazing Ribbon Chair in a very rare edition. It is designed by the famous Pierre Paulin (France) in the 60's and produced by Artifort (The Netherlands). This Iconic piece is produce...
Fabric, Wood
Pierre Paulin Le Chat Chairs
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of 'Le Chat' chairs designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort. Netherlands, c. 1970’s. These chairs have been newly upholstered in Kvadrat Tonus fabric. sold as a pair
Wool
Mid Century Pierre Paulin F557 Swivel Lounge Chairs for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
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
Orange Slice Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
The famous Artifort orange slice chair by Pierre Paulin, designed in the 60's. This is an original and early edition chair with ni...
Nickel
$3,585Sale 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
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
Customizable Artifort Orange Slice Junior Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
If you’re a design-lover and your son or daughter likes to have their own chair with the “big people” then Artifort’s Junior Collection is for you. Like the junior version of the Ora...
Textile
$15,525 / set
Set of Ribbon Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning set of Ribbon Chairs, designed by the French designer Pierre Paulin in the 60's. It is produced by Artifort, The Netherlands. The Ribbon Chair is a piece of Art and it i...
Fabric, Wood
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
Customizable Artifort Mushroom Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
The Mushroom armchair is one of the world’s most famous designs. Designer Pierre Paulin distinguished himself with this armchair in the original shape, bright colors and revolutionar...
Textile
ABCD 3 Seater Sofa by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Netherlands, 1969
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The ABCD sofa, designed by Pierre Paulin in 1968, is indeed a remarkable piece of furniture that exemplifies his innovative and forward-thinking approach to design. This sofa is high...
Fabric
Model F598 Groovy Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980's
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely and very comfortable Artifort Groovy Chair (or "M" Chair), model F598. This model is designed by Pierre Paulin in the 80's. These particular chairs are fabricated in the end ...
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
Artifort by Pierre Paulin Green Fabric Little Tulip Swivel Chairs, Set of Three
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Pierre Paulin in 1965, the Little Tulip Chair is a design icon. Inspired by the flower, the chair has a Tulip-esque silhouette with a petal shaped seat which ...
Fabric
Artifort Pierre Paulin Blue Ribbon Lounge Chair in Stock
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
upholstered in Planum (DD) 0201 Base- Ral 9001 / Cream White glossy A completely upholstered design by Pierre Paulin from 1966 and a professional, innovative vision on the well-kno...
Velvet