The sturdy and sleek furniture designed by Tolix has become a standard of trendy cafés and retro diners. For nearly a century, the French company has become synonymous with café culture in France and beyond.
In 1908, Xavier Pauchard, nicknamed Mr. X, founded Tolix in Burgundy, France. A zinc roofer by trade, Pauchard focused on making household items from sheet metal and using zinc to galvanize his products. Clean-lined and practical, Tolix’s metal furniture marked an early expression of mid-century modern style.
Pauchard designed Tolix’s flagship industrial-style chair, the Chaise A, in the mid-1920s. Also known as the Model A chair, it was designed with small holes in the seat to allow rainwater to drain without sacrificing comfort or durability. In 1934, Pauchard improved the Chaise A with the slimmer, more lightweight Marais A chair. Stackable up to 25 chairs high, it quickly became a favorite among hospitals, schools and factories.
There is debate about whether Joseph Mathieu’s designs influenced Pauchard’s creation of the Multipl, another stacking metal chair from the mid-20th century.
Major museums have exhibited Tolix’s designs, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Vitra Design Museum in Rhein, Germany. In 2006, the brand received the label of Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, a formal acknowledgment from the French Ministry of Economics and Finance of its industrial excellence and mastery.
Due to a shift in design trends, Tolix fell out of favor near the end of the 20th century and filed for bankruptcy. The company rebounded in 2004 under the ownership of its chief financial officer, Chantal Andriot. Strengthened by a high demand for industrial furniture, Tolix is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity, especially in cafés, breweries and restaurants.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Tolix dining chairs, tables, stools and more.
$3,189 / item
H 28.35 in W 45.28 in D 20.48 in
Charcoal Black Study Desk - Black Writing Table - Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
The &New study desk is made with a powder-coated steel frame and a color-matched linoleum tabletop. The linoleum for our desks is selected for the ecological properties of the li...
Steel
Ebonized Wood All Black MiMi Desk by Miduny, Made in Italy
By Miduny, Ale Preda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The faceted geometry of the MiMi desk creates a slender, elegant profile and captures light differently depending on the orientation. This modern and gracefu...
Plywood, Birch, Oak
$2,005 / item
H 28.35 in W 70.87 in D 35.44 in
Most Polished Black Glossy Color Carbon Steel Writing Table by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The slim and elegant table construction created as a result of research on FiDU possibilities. It is not only innovative table construction but it is the next letter in the FiDU alph...
Steel
Large, Airisto Work Desk, Stained Black by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Large, Airisto work desk, stained black by Made By Choice with Joanna Laajisto Dimensions: W 160cm, D 55cm, H 74 cm Materials: Solid Ash Finishes: Natural ash / painted black A...
Wood, Ash
$3,533 / item
H 29.14 in W 59.85 in D 23.63 in
Large Charcoal Black Study Desk with Natural Linoleum Top - Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large Study desk is made with a charcoal black powder-coated steel frame and a colour matched linoleum top made from all-natural ingredients, such as flax, wood flour, and limes...
Steel
$3,757 / item
H 29.14 in W 59.85 in D 23.63 in
Large Charcoal Black Study Desk with Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large black study desk is made with a powder coated steel frame and a beautiful natural linoleum top made out of linseed oil. This modern minimal desk has a single steel drawers...
Steel
Black Dolmen Desk
By Leonardo Floresvillar
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Conceptualized in 2023 by Leonardo Floresvillar, and crafted by hand with galvanized aluminum, coated with matte electrostatic paint. The Dolmen Desk was designed with two surface ...
Iron
$2,045 / item
H 29.14 in W 51.19 in D 25.6 in
Pavilion AV16 Black Desk by Anderssen & Voll for &Tradition
Located in Bayrut, Beirut Governorate
A light and lyrical aesthetic compact desk intended to suit both office and home spaces. The Pavilion desk is made of a tabletop laminated with linoleum ...
Steel
$5,664 / item
H 29.14 in W 55.12 in D 21.66 in
Medium, Airisto Work Desk, Stained Black by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium, Airisto work desk, stained black by Made By Choice with Joanna Laajisto Dimensions: W140cm, D55cm, H74 cm. Materials: solid ash Finishes: natural ash / painted black Al...
Wood, Ash
$4,246 / item
H 29.14 in W 59.85 in D 23.63 in
Charcoal Black Study Desk with Linoleum Table Top & Two Drawers - Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large charcoal black study desk is made with a powder coated steel frame and a beautiful colour matched natural linoleum top made out of linseed oil. This modern minimal desk ha...
Steel
