Tolix, whose story began in 1927, is a French company that produces
metal furniture and accessories for indoor and outdoor residential or contract use. The brand has always pursued the integration of craftsmanship, aesthetic sensibility, and the ability to interpret consumers' needs. Its founder, Xavier Pauchard, was an artisan who made steel household items. After several experiments in his workshop, he discovered that metal could resist oxidation by immersing it in a bath of molten zinc. As a result, he decided to go against the current and use steel instead of wood to make furniture, anticipating upcoming trends. In the 1930s, the Modern Movement chose steel as the material that best represented rationalist aesthetics. It was the beginning of a success story that made Tolix one of the leading brands in the industrial design sector. The
iconic Chaise A, one of the company's most emblematic products, is displayed in the permanent collections at the Centre Pompidou, MoMA, and the Vitra Museum. Tolix metal furniture, born more than 80 years ago, is more current than ever today. Today, Tolix is experiencing a transformative renaissance under the visionary leadership of the entrepreneurial duo, Antoine Bejui and Emmanuel Diemoz. This renaissance involves establishing an internal artistic direction and a meticulously crafted refreshed visual identity by the Atelier Franck Durand. This strategic move reflects Tolix's commitment not only to preserving its heritage but also to propelling itself into a dynamic and contemporary design landscape. The TOLIX adventure is a celebration of design, craftsmanship, and innovation, and we are honored to present it to you.
Chaise A and other Tolix icons
Thanks to the galvanizing process, Xavier Pauchard created oxidation-resistant, lightweight, and robust metal furniture:
chairs,
stools,
armchairs,
office cabinets, and
drawer units for hospitals, schools, factories, offices, and communities. Global success came with the
Chaise A, globally recognized for its lines, functionality, and durability, and chosen to furnish the bridges of the Normandy cruise liner in 1935. In addition to being light and resistant, up to 25 pieces can be stacked to save storage space. Thanks to these characteristics, it became the quintessential Parisian café chair during the post-war period. At the same time, Tolix put into production variations of the chair with armrests (
AC16 Armchair and
A56 Armchair). Xavier Pauchard repeats the success of Tolix's A Chair with the
AC Chair, featuring a wider, comfortable, and timeless seat. It was initially designed for North America, particularly for Canada, hence the letter 'C.' Tolix also produces storage furniture for offices and communities. For example,
B Lockers have become one of the symbols of the industrial style combining lightness, resistance, and essential aesthetics with functionality and modularity; it is available in different heights and sizes. These features make it current, proclaiming its success.
Tolix children's furniture
M stands for miniature, meticulous, and metallic. But above all, M stands for Mouette (Seagull), a charming name given by Xavier Pauchard to this collection that he designed for his own children and to make use of the metal scraps that were previously wasted. Xavier Pauchard was a pioneer in simplicity and non-waste. Thanks to the
M collection, children find their place in the TOLIX universe.
Tolix renewal: re-editions and new collections
Beyond the timeless pieces presented in its existing catalog, Tolix is forging a path to the future by unveiling a program that revisits and reissues older models from its extensive archives. This journey into the past is not limited to mere nostalgia; on the contrary, heritage pieces are carefully reimagined to meet contemporary functional and stylistic demands. A harmonious fusion of materials takes center stage, where wood converges with metal, creating a symphony of comfort and aesthetics in furniture. The history of the
T37 chair dates back to 1935 when the city of Paris issued public tenders in preparation for the 24th Universal Exposition of 1937. Over 12,000 chairs and armchairs were produced to furnish more than a hundred hectares of public gardens. At the dawn of its 90 years, the T37 chair is reissued and complemented by new creations imagined by Studio Tolix. From the
monastic table to the
round tables, all with a hand-hemmed tabletop by the artisans of the Manufacture, the T37 collection, with its bold lines and contemporary silhouettes, regains its place in modern gardens and interiors. A palette of warm colors is dedicated to it to reinforce its distinctive identity modern design, has the same technical characteristics as the other chairs and is one of the company's best sellers.
The first UD chairs were born in 1958, at the initiative of Jean Pauchard for an order from the University of Dijon. They are characterized by a tubular structure, a perforated backrest with three slender and curved tubes, and a seat padded with Formica and faux leather. Other versions will follow, such as the UD2 chair in 1963 with a beechwood seat.
The
UD chair, characterized by its light and feminine lines, is revisited by Studio Tolix and is accompanied by the
UD table whose delicate curves perfectly complement a steel top that seems to float in suspension. A version with a
stained oak top crafted by a Morvan cabinetmaker gives it an even more pronounced character.
The
UD collection stands out with its deep black-brown paint or its glossy white finish. It integrates perfectly into demanding interiors, offering all-steel or all-wood options to meet preferences for minimalism or warmth. In the future, new materials will enrich its seating, thereby enhancing its seductive power. The
Patio outdoor collection features a light and elegant design in line with Tolix's lop minimalist style. Created in 2019 by designer Pauline Deltour, the collection was completed in 2024 and now includes a chair, with and without arms, a bench, stools, tables, and side tables. The structure is composed of stainless steel tubing covered with metal sheets, while the laser pre-cut seat features perforated slats, which lighten the design without taking away strength and sturdiness.
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