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 Italian Bar Car
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Italian modernist serving cart, made of first quality cedar wood, with two rectangular shelves and a wooden frame, circa 1950.
Cedar
Original Bar in the style of Clara Porset
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this rare and Original Bar in the style of Clara Porset, made in solid wood and seagrass, recently restored professionally.
Cedar
Mid-Century Modern Mexican Bar Car by Eugenio Escudero
By Eugenio Escudero
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1950. We offer this Mexican modernist serving cart, made of mahogany wood black lacquered, with two rectangular shelves.
Mahogany
Rare Mid Century Mexican Woven Bar and Stools Set, Attributed to Edmund Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this beautiful and rare mid century Mexican woven bar and stools set. Attributed to Edmund Spence. Made first class mahogany wood.
Mahogany
Fantastic Midcentury Mexican Modernist Console by Eugenio Escudero
By Eugenio Escudero
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this fantastic midcentury Mexican modernist console by Eugenio Escudero, circa 1950. Made in Mexico constructed with solid first quality mahogany wood, goatskin and brass ac...
Mahogany
Original Domus Dinning Set by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Domus dinning set (Table and 4 chairs) in pine wood and with the characteristic green Van Beuren color, designed by the American Bau...
Pine
Mid-Century Modern Home Bar by Unknown Artist, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-Century Modern home bar, crafted from solid hardwood with an organic, curved silhouette. The Formica top provides a sleek, clean and durable surface, balancing sculptural form ...
Formica, Wood, Plywood
Danish Vintage Drinks Bar and Stools by Erik Buch and Johannes Andersen
By Dyrlund, Brdr. Andersen, Erik Buch, Johannes Andersen
Located in London, GB
An exceptional Danish vintage drinks bar and stools by Erik Buch and Johannes Andersen. The bar was designed by Erik Buch and was made by Dyrlund, the stools were designed by Johannes Andersen for Broderna Andersen. Both were made in Denmark in the 1960’s. The quality is exceptional, the bar is called the boomerang bar...
Leather, Formica, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Bar by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fantastic mid-century bar in great condition by American designer Arthur Umanoff. These vintage bars from the 1950s have a classic MCM charm and sophistication. The iconic design...
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Cocktail Dry Bar or Server for Raymor
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in St. Louis, MO
Midcentury Arthur Umanoff bar for Raymor. Wrought iron base, oak slats, rush and Formica top. Overall nice original condition, oak restored, wrought iron base repainted, top in very ...
Wrought Iron
Bar/comptoir moderniste dans le goût de Jean Prouvé 1940's
By Jean Prouvé
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Bar/comptoir moderniste dans le goût de Jean Prouvé 1940's
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Bar, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Bar, Italy, 1970s Front part : 177 x 51,5 x 101 cm Back part : 180,5 x 24,5 x 195 cm
Metal
