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)
Michael Van Beuren Three Seater Woven Sofa
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bauhaus trained, Mexico City based designer, Michael Van Beuren created highly functional modern pieces inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. This example, c.1950s Mex...
Rattan, Pine
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Chaise Lounge
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
S-Lounge patio chair by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. Graceful even for a Lamb design, the chaise lounge is rendered in bronze tubing with a seat of woven yacht cord. Its namesake ar...
Bronze
Ib Kofod-Larsen Lounge Chair
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair by Ib Kofod-Larsen c.1950s, Denmark. The chair features a stained beech frame with sculpted arms and a curved upholstered backrest. The chair has new cushions and has be...
Mohair, Upholstery, Beech
1960s High-Back Lounge Chair by Dan Johnson for Selig, Denmark
By Selig, Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair by Dan Johnson for Selig c.1960s, Denmark. The lounge chair features a sculpted wood frame with curved armrests. The seat cushion and back have been newly upholstered, w...
Brass
Italian Lounge Chair Attributed to Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair attributed to Italian designer Paolo Buffa. The chair features a textured linen upholstery with dark green piping at each side. The birch frame showcases beautiful bentw...
Linen, Birch
Wim Den Boon Woven Bench
By Wim Den Boon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Woven rush bench by Dutch designer, Wim Den Boon c.1950's, Netherlands. The long bench features a solid beech wood frame with a woven rush seat. Dimensions 60" width x 22" depth x 1...
Rush, Beech
French Alpine Low Mid-Century Lounge Chair
Located in London, GB
A low architectural slatted lounge chair. France, c1960s. Sourced from an Alpine resort. The chair designer is unknown but has echoes of the ...
Wood
Midcentury Adjustable Lounge Chair by Paul Frankl 1950 '
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rome, IT
Original Mid-Century Modern reclinable Bamboo and Rattan three -stand lounge chair features stylized pretzel arms. It has a wonderful design with a classic look. Providing comfort a...
Iron
Midcentury Adjustable Lounge Chair by Paul Frankl 1950 '
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rome, IT
Original Mid-Century Modern reclinable Bamboo and Rattan three -stand lounge chair features stylized pretzel arms. It has a wonderful design with a classic look. Providing comfort a...
Iron
Brazilian Designer, Rocking Chaise Longue, Wood, Brazil, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A rocking chaise longue designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1970s. Provenance: Apartamento 61, São Paulo, Brazil. Overall Dimensions (inches): 36.5"H x 21.25"W x 58.0"D Seat Heigh...
Wood
Bruno Mathsson Lounge Chair Produced by Karl Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare early lounge chair designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden.
Birch
1950s Cerused Lounge Chair Attributed to Rene Gabriel
By Rene Gabriel
Located in New York, NY
1950s cerused lounge chair attributed to Rene Gabriel. Has a collapsible back, a caned seat and curved arms.
Wood
