Michael van Beuren was born in New York and studied architecture at the Bauhaus under Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Josef Albers until its closure in 1933. He moved to Acapulco at the end of 1936, where he oversaw the design of the interiors of the bungalows at the renowned Flamingo Hotel in 1937, and quickly became a formative member of the Mexican Modernism movement.
By 1938, van Beuren began focusing on furniture design, working with a fellow Bauhaus colleague, Klaus Grabe, to create modern and affordable pieces. Inspired by the local culture and craftsmanship, the duo applied Bauhaus design principles to popular Mexican mainstays, such as woven reclining chaises and wooden dining chairs.
The approach was a success — Grabe, Morley Webb and van Beuren were named among the winners of a 1941 competition organized by the Museum of Modern Art that focused on designer teams from the United States and Latin America called “Organic Design in Home Furnishings.” This award catapulted them to wide renown.
In the following years, van Beuren founded his furniture label Domus, which became synonymous with well-crafted, modernist design that garnered fans both in Mexico and America. Along with his own designs, Domus also produced work by Clara Porset, a friend and contemporary of van Beuren’s. However, by 1951, the company’s move toward more mass manufacturing meant that van Beuren’s earlier designs were no longer being produced.
Find vintage Michael van Beuren furniture on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by 7710 Gallery)
Mid-Century Modern Petite Disc Cabinet by Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Mid-Century Modern petite disc cabinet by Michael Van Beuren, made in mahogany plywood and brass details, includes VB original l...
Mahogany
$4,500Sale Price|25% Off
Original Domus Credenza by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare original Domus Credenza by Michael Van Beuren in pine wood and with the characteristic green Van Beuren color, designed by the American Bauhaus designer, Michael V...
Pine
Original Domus Credenza by Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare original Domus Credenza by Michael Van Beuren in pine wood and with the characteristic Van Beuren green color, designed by the American Bauhaus designer, Michael V...
Pine
Original Domus Credenza by Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare original Domus Credenza by Michael Van Beuren in pine wood and with the characteristic Van Beuren color, designed by the American Bauhaus designer, Michael Van Beu...
Pine
Modernist Cabinet by M. Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mérida, Yucatan
Modernist cabinet by M. Van Beuren. This piece features a top drawer and a drop-down door, with multiple operating possibilities. Created in the early 1970s, this collection was name...
Oak, Cedar
Mid-Century Modern Early Knoll Walnut 2-Door Credenza
By Florence Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Diminutive credenza from the early 1950s. Walnut top is new veneer replacing worn Formica. Leather pulls a signature Florence Knoll design mark. Two sliding doors open to reveal two ...
Steel
Wall-Mounted Cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare and unusual wall-mounted cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell in walnut. Drawers on one side with piano hinge bi-fold doors on the other side, with adjustable shelves inside. Great...
Ico Parisi Mid-Century Modern Jatoba Wood Credenza
By Ico Parisi
Located in Weesp, NL
Mid-Century Modern Jatoba wood Ico Parisi cabinet A spectacular bespoke trumeau designed by Ico Parisi and very likely produced by Ariberto Colombo, by special order only. Very few p...
Brass
$2,095
H 29.5 in W 50.5 in D 17.25 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Credenza by J.B. Van Sciver
By J.B. Van Sciver Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished Expertly Refinished: With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativi...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Mirrored Credenza
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern credenza features ample room behind its four cabinet doors. A mirrored front and top makes this a unique addition...
Brass
Mid-Century Credenza by Founders
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern long cabinet by Founders with parquet diamond style front panels. Two side cabinets with shelves and middle drawers. Great 1960s design and construction. Please co...
Walnut
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
H 25.88 in W 39.38 in D 18.38 in
Mid Century Modern Teak Buffet Sideboard by Børge Mogensen, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern buffet sideboard cabinet in teak designed by Borge Mogensen circa 1960's. This unique piece is accented with signature sculpted handles and brass hardware providin...
Brass
$6,000
H 71.75 in W 44 in D 15.25 in
Double Sided Mahogany & Rattan Bookshelf by Michael van Beuren for Domus Mexico
By Domus, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bauhaus trained, Mexico City based Michael van Beuren created a highly functional modern design inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. Designed for Domus Mexico...
Mahogany, Rattan
$4,850 / set
H 70.5 in W 72 in D 18 in
True Mid-Century Classic Inlaid Rosewood Walnut Credenza Cabinet by Stanley USA
By Stanley Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a superb Mid-Century Modern credenza or sideboard by Stanley. It is mostly walnut with geometric rosewood inlays on the fronts and has turned aluminum pulls. The lower cabine...
Aluminum, Iron
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Credenza
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Rosewood Credenza with removable hutch. Partly solid and veneered. Hutch is removable and has two glass sliding doors. Bottom credenza has four sliding doors, 4 drawers and...
Metal, Chrome
Midcentury French Modernist Cabinet Vaisselier, 1950s
Located in Paris, IDF
Warm light brown oak and rich copper form a beautiful color palette in this cabinet vaisselier from the 1950s. On the front and top of the cabinet, the oak displays a striped lightwood/dark wood pattern that feels fun and very much of the era, while the recessed portions of the oak appear to shift into burnt orange for a subtle injection of natural color. Opening the door at the front of the cabinet, a series of small drawers are revealed for hidden storage and organization; the left side of the cabinet is formed by transparent glass, ideal for stowing decorative items or glassware, as well as giving the piece a sense of being filled with light. Though it was created by an unknown French craftsman, this piece is reminiscent of avant-garde designer Jean Royere’s work. Place it in your living room for a unique midcentury French modernist...
Copper
$9,900Sale Price|44% Off
H 30 in W 84 in D 22 in
Modernist Patchwork Burl Credenza By Paul Evans For Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning, modernist, patchwork burl, credenza by Paul Evans for Directional features a high sheen laminate finish with 48 inch wide, gunmetal steel center doors and two 16 inch wide ...
Steel
Sold
H 38.25 in W 60 in D 18 in
Woven Rattan Credenza by Michael van Beuren, Mid-Century Design Mexico
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bauhaus-trained, Mexico City-based Michael van Beuren created highly functional modern design inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. This example is a credenza with a p...
Rattan, Pine
Original Domus Drawer by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare original Domus drawer by Michael Van Beuren in pine wood. Designed by the American Bauhaus designer, Michael Van Beuren in Mexico, circ...
Pine
Original Domus Drawer by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare original Domus drawer by Michael Van Beuren in pine wood. Designed by the American Bauhaus designer, Michael Van Beuren in Mexico, circ...
Pine
Sold
H 29.5 in W 84 in D 20.5 in
Handwoven Palm and Wood 4-Door Credenza by Michael van Beuren from LUTECA
By Michael van Beuren, Luteca Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in Mexico in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhaus school, who was devoted to combining the sophistication of Europe's '...
Wood, Oak
Michael van Beuren Mexican Embassy Cabinet
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Dronten, NL
An important solid mahogany cupboard with doors on either side, 3 drawers at the centre and a display with sliding glass doors on top. The doors and sidewalls frame a beautiful baske...
Rattan, Mahogany
Original Domus Drawer by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare an early original Domus drawer designed by Michael Van Beuren in pine wood with the characteristic green Van Beuren color, designed by ...
Pine
Important Michael van Beuren Mexican Embassy Sideboard
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Dronten, NL
A unique solid mahogany sideboard with doors on either side and 3 drawers at the centre. The doors frame a beautiful basket weave of rattan cord. Provenance: The office of the...
Rattan, Mahogany
Original Domus Drawer by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare original Domus drawer by Michael Van Beuren in pine wood and with the characteristic terracota Van Beuren color, designed by the Americ...
Pine
Woven Rattan Credenza by Michael van Beuren for Domus Mexico
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bauhaus-trained, Mexico city-based Michael van Beuren created highly functional modern design inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. This example is a small credenza wi...
Mahogany, Rattan
Original Domus Drawer by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare Original Domus Drawer by Michael Van Beuren in pine wood and with the characteristic green Van Beuren color, designed by the American B...
Pine
Original Michael Van Beuren Credenza by Domus
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Designed by the American Bauhaus designer, Michael van Beuren in Mexico, this handmade, solid pine wood credenza was recently restored circa 1940. About Michael van Beuren: Michae...
Pine
Sold
H 29.5 in W 43.25 in D 20.5 in
Woven Credenza with Handwoven Palm Cord Doors by Michael van Beuren from LUTECA
By Michael van Beuren, Luteca Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in Mexico in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhaus school, who was devoted to combining the sophistication of Europe's '...
Wood