Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann was born in Paris on August 26, 1879. Son and grandson of manufacturers and building painters, he was trained within the family business and joined a decorator painter upon turning 17. In 1900, after his military service, during which he had met the acquaintance of architects whose friendship influenced his development, he began to design his own furniture. Upon the death of his father in 1907, he became head of his industrial firm which he had already begun orientating towards decorative research. In 1912, he set up his workshop in rue de Lisbonne.

By 1911, urged by the architect Plumet, Ruhlmann had exhibited at the Salon d'Automne. He set up a workshop to design and create furniture, fabrics, carpets ...