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)
Midcentury Mexican Dinning Table in the Style of Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Dinning Table in the style of Michael Van Beuren made in premium mahogany wood and palm cords, circa 1960. Great vintage conditions. Note: The table requires a glass...
Seagrass, Mahogany
Side Table Attributed to Frank Kyle
By Frank Kyle
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this stunning side table attributed to Frank Kyle, circa 1960. Made in solid Mahogany.
Mahogany
Rare Corner Table by Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare an amazing corner table designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960, this piece is very rare and hard to find, a perfect piece for the Don Shoemaker collectors, includes...
Wood
Daybed in the Style of Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this rare daybed in the style of Michael Van Beuren. Made in primavera wood.
Wood
Midcentury Side Table in the Style of Clara Porset
By Clara Porset
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this midcentury side table in the style of Clara Porset made in premium mahogany wood and palm cords, circa 1960. Great vintage conditions.
Seagrass
Don Shoemaker Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table with Leather Top
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this fantastic coffee table made in pieces of solid cocobolo wood with leather top designed by Don Shoemaker for Señal S.A., circa 1960 About Don Shoemaker: Coming from an affluent family, Don was originally from Nebraska. During the 1930s he studied at the fine Arts Institute of Chicago thinking to become a painter. Visiting Mexico for his honeymoon he fell in love with the country and he finally decided to move to Mexico in the late 1940s. He lived for a while and painted in San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato, but finally he settled down in a little uphill town called Santa María de Guido, overseeing the city of Morelia, in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. Don began the manufacture of his furniture in tropical precious woods and other wood products. What started as a little factory in the late 1950s called SEÑAL, S.A., grew to the point where Don employed more than a hundred skilled craftsmen. Soon Shoemaker became an important milestone of the economic and cultural life of his adopted home. SEÑAL, S.A. brought great wealth and economical boost to the village and Don was well known for his good heart and charity projects. Don S. Shoemaker delivered furniture pieces in to his showrooms in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and large cities in Mexico. His designs were very much appreciated by wealthy Mexican families...
Cocobolo
John Widdicomb Two-Tier Cocktail Table
By John Widdicomb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish midcentury table features sculpted two tier construction and features a rich natural finish. Original manufacturer's label on piece, please confirm item location (NY or ...
Walnut
California Modernist Coffee Table by Manuel Martin, 1944
Located in Coronado, CA
A California modernist coffee table constructed in mahogany by Los Angeles based furniture maker Manuel Martin. This early modernist table was made in 1944 and features a solid wood ...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Side Table by Peter Løvig Nielsen for Løvig Design, 1964
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Løvig Design
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern side table or coffee table. Design by Peter Løvig Nielsen for Løvig Design. Striking Danish design from the 1960s. Solid teak base with origin...
Teak
Danish Mid-Century Teak Side Table with Lower Shelf — 1960s
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
A beautifully elegant side table made in Denmark in the 1960s. The most striking feature is the gently curved and waisted top — the long sides bow inward slightly, giving the table a...
Teak
Planner Group Side Table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
This iconic maple Paul McCobb side table is very versatile because of its size and scale . It looks great as a side table, coffee table or night table. The table is from the Planner ...
Maple
Mid Century Danish Modern Solid Teak wood side table or Coffee Table
By Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Solid teak side table table. Amazing jointery on legs very sturdy and great design. Located in Brooklyn NYC. No Labels or MFG marks. Style of Hvidt & Mølgaard Measures 1...
Teak
