Pierre Paulin was born in 1927 in Paris. He began his career as a ceramist in the Vallaurius region of the French Riviera, where many famous ceramists and artists worked, including Pablo Picasso. Paulin also worked as a stonemason in Burgundy. However, his career as a stonemason would come to an abrupt end when he injured his arm, shattering his dreams of becoming a sculptor. Pierre Paulin chose to study at the École Camando in Paris, a school of product design and interior architecture.

Paulin made his debut in 1953 at the Salon des Arts Ménagers, and just one year later he would appear on the cover of the interior design magazine La Maison Française. Soon after, he would join the famous furniture manufacturer Thonet, where he began experimenting with new materials and production methods. After four years at Thonet, Pierre Paulin joined the Maastricht-based company Artifort. During the 1960s and 70s, Paulin worked at Artifort and it is during this time that several of his most famous creations would see the light of day for the first time. At this time, his designs were considered very modern and unique, making Pierre Paulin very popular with a new generation of young design enthusiasts.

When Pierre Paulin designed furniture, he focused on form and design rather than comfort as a starting point. His designs are characterised by lightweight metal constructions covered with foam and rubber from Italy. TThe furniture is then upholstered with a modern stretch fabric. Using these materials made it possible to create furniture with rounder and more comfortable shapes, an approach used today by many designers and manufacturers.

Some of the furniture Paulin designed during his time at Artifort is still in production today and is highly sought after at auction. The Pumpkin sofa and armchair designed in 1971 are once again in production thanks to Ligne Roset. The Pacha series by Gubi is another example that feels modern despite being almost 50 years old. Among his most famous creations are design classics such as the Mushroom Chair, Tongue Chair and Ribbon Chair.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Pierre Paulin worked mainly on interior design for both private individuals and companies. For example, he designed parts of the world-famous Louvre Museum and large parts of the Palais de l'Élysée, the official home of the French President. Pierre Paulin spent his last years in retirement in the Cévennes in the south of France. He passed away on June 13, 2009 in a hospital in Montpellier. His dream of becoming a sculptor may have been dashed at a young age, but his sculptural furniture will live on in private homes and museums around the world.