De Sede DS-707 Modular Sofa in Perla Leather Upholstery by Philippe Malouin

Canada-born and London-based designer Philippe Malouin imbues his functional modern furniture with whimsical touches of personality. His sinuous sofas and armchairs covered in soft upholstery and irregular, tapestry-like rugs, which are inspired by wax crayon drawings, all play with the visual and tactile senses.

Malouin earned a bachelor’s degree from the Design Academy Eindhoven. He also studied at the Université de Montréal in Canada and L'École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle in Paris. After graduation, he worked for London furniture designer Tom Dixon before opening his own studio in 2009.

In his design studio, Malouin opted for a broad focus that includes everything from chairs and tables to rugs, light fixtures and decorative objects. He enjoys using natural materials like wool and combining them with striking geometric forms. Every piece created by Malouin, whether furniture or decor, leaves a lasting impression.

In 2012, Malouin collaborated with six prominent London-based designers on a project for the London Design Festival. Called “Seven Designers for Seven Dials,” it featured aerial installations above the streets of the Seven Dials shopping district. From 2012 to 2015, Malouin taught at the Royal College of Art in London.

In 2018, Malouin celebrated 10 years in furniture design with an exhibition in Hyères, France. In 2019, he made headlines with the release of his Industrial Office collection, which featured experimental materials such as dyed nylon and polyurethane-coated steel. He followed this up at Milan Design Week 2022 with a military bed-inspired camp chair that is simple in appearance but big on comfort.

Malouin boasts an impressive client list, including Nike, Kvadrat, Vaarnii, Resident, Ace Hotel, Aesop, Established & Sons and Umbra Shift. He is a recipient of the W Hotels Designer of the Future Award and the Wallpaper* Design Award for Best Use of Material. He lives and works in London and is represented by Salon 94 in New York City.

On 1stDibs, find Philippe Malouin seating, carpets, wall decorations and more.

A de Sede piece lends a strong personality to the room it occupies. One of the world’s most respected furniture design houses, de Sede’s quality Swiss craftsmanship has its foundation in a long history of making expertly designed saddles. Founded in 1965 to build on a successful family-run saddler’s workshop in Klingnau, Switzerland, de Sede now is a leading manufacturer of leather goods and furniture, including sofas, chairs and beds.

At the core of de Sede’s philosophy is a reverence for the complexity and beauty of handcrafted furniture in an age when mass-produced objects are the norm. Over the years, the atelier has built a name for itself in its modular furniture pieces, which are made using the highest quality leather upholstery. The sleek, elegant pieces incorporate functionality with beauty. Amongst their best-selling designs is the DS-600 introduced in 1972. Also known as the Non Stop sofa, it is a sensually curved, snaking modular sofa whose individual pieces can be zipped together to create multiple variations and arcs.

De Sede has collaborated with some of the world's finest design minds, enhancing the prestige and individuality of their products. Designers like Santiago Calatrava, Antonella Scarpitta, Stephan Hürlemann, Gordon Guillaumier and Philippe Malouin have all created pieces with the atelier. Ubald Klug’s 1974 DS-1025, also known as the Terrazza sofa, is an enduring favorite with its cascading levels of leather. In 2017, de Sede expanded its product line to include high-quality leather handbags, which are as thoughtfully designed and beautifully crafted as its furniture. De Sede AG is now part of the Volare Group AG and continues to handcraft its fine furniture and other goods from its factory in Klingnau.

Find authentic de Sede seating, tables and decorative objects today on 1stDibs.