If it weren’t for his honeymoon, American furniture designer Don S. Shoemaker might not have played any role in Mexican modernism of the mid-20th century.
Born in Nebraska in 1919, Shoemaker studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago during the 1930s. In the 1940s he got married, and he and his wife, Barbara, ventured to Mexico for their honeymoon. Enamored with the country, Shoemaker decided that Mexico should become the newlyweds' permanent home. They settled in a town called Santa Maria de Guido in Michoacán, where Shoemaker spent his days painting and growing rare plants.
Through horticulture, Shoemaker became inspired by Mexico’s tropical woods, such as cocobolo, a Mexican rosewood, and he decided to delve into furniture design. In the late 1950s, he started a small factory, producing hand-carved desks, armchairs, dining room tables, decorative boxes and bowls, and serveware. The popularity of Shoemaker’s furnishings grew throughout Mexico, and his small factory became the Señal S.A. company, employing more than 100 skilled artisans and carpenters.
Shoemaker’s handcrafted designs were essentially a mid-century modern interpretation of traditional Mexican household furnishings, and like Clara Porset — an unsung Cuban-born activist, writer and designer who drew on Mexican craft traditions in her concepts for furniture — he found inspiration in his adopted country. These influences can be seen in iconic Shoemaker originals like the Sling collection of seating, the Suspension stool and several of his table designs.
Shoemaker's furniture was exhibited in showrooms in several major Mexican cities and across the U.S., including Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. (And mid-century modernist ideas that traveled between Mexico and California didn’t make one-way trips — they bounced back and forth.)
After Shoemaker died in 1990, his son George took over Señal S.A. The company closed after George’s death in the early 2000s.
Shoemaker’s Mexican modern furnishings continue to be coveted by avid furniture collectors around the world. From 2016 to 2017, the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City dedicated a retrospective exhibition to honoring his work.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Don S. Shoemaker desks, seating, decorative objects and serveware.
$4,000 / set
Rosewood Lounge Chair and Ottoman Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
Crafted in beautiful rosewood, the lounge chair and ottoman was an iconic design by Don Shoemaker for Senal. The chair with a rocking seat and the folding ottoman...
Leather, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Perno Safari Chair
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather safari lounge chair by Don Shoemaker for Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. The chair features a rosewood cocobolo frame and original patinated black leather hide. Leather showcases a s...
Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo
$13,596Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 25.6 in D 26.8 in
Ole Wanscher's Colonial Chair and Ottoman in Rosewood, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Seattle, WA
This is a rare and in exceptional condition Ole Wanscher's Colonial Chair and Ottoman in Rosewood, with original black leather cushions as well as a new set of new Maharam Sorghum brown cushions. Poul Jeppesen in Denmark c1950s and distributed by Illums Bolighus with solid rosewood for the frame, cane seating under black leather cushion seating. Perhaps the most famous design by Ole Wanscher, the Colonial Chair PJ 149 is inspired by 17th century English furniture...
Leather, Cane, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Sling Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Denton, TX
The iconic beautiful mexican modern Don Shoemaker "sling" chair. Made for Señal S.A. Made from solid Cocobolo Wood with original black leather. Made in the 1960s
Leather, Cocobolo
Ficks Reed Rattan Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By Ficks Reed
Located in Rochester, NY
Ficks Reed rattan large cube form lounge chair and matching ottoman in as found very nice original finish. Measures together - 58" w x 30" d x 30" h to top of back seat cushion of c...
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan, Reed, Foam, Wood
Bruno Mathsson Pernilla Chaise Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bruno Mathsson Pernilla Chaise Lounge and Ottoman. This set dates to about 2005. Still presents very well with a couple flaws photographed and shown in the photos. Sits very well, st...
Cotton, Birch
$3,275 / set
H 39 in W 26.5 in D 34 in
Mid-Century Modern Teak Reclining Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Experience the timeless elegance of Danish modern design with this exceptional reclining lounge chair and ottoman, crafted in Denmark during the 1960s. Beautifully constructed from s...
Teak, Fabric
Oversized Art Deco Streamline Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Donald Deskey
Located in Buffalo, NY
Oversized, elongated Art Deco streamline lounge chair and ottoman. Extremely comfortable, down filled, nice quality and construction. Chair an...
Wood, Fabric
$4,160Sale Price / set|37% Off
H 32.5 in W 31 in D 28.5 in
Don Shoemaker Sling "Swinger" Chair and Ottoman, Mexico 1960s
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Camden, ME
A Classic 20th century chair and ottoman from one of the great craftsman's workshops of Mexico: Senal, S.A., Don Shoemaker's tropical paradise in Michoacan, Mexico. This iconic chai...
Leather, Cocobolo
Swedish Modern Swiveling Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish Swedish modern swiveling lounge chair and ottoman. Sleek design with leather upholstery and rosewood frames and bases. A qualit...
Leather, Wood
$3,600
H 32 in W 24 in D 27 in
Mid Century Rosewood & Black Leather Folding Lounge Chair by Don Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century modern armchair was designed in the 1950s by Don Shoemaker and produced by Señal, S.A., Mexico circa 1960. A leading mid century Mexican modernist, Shoemaker...
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
$9,400 / set
H 33 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
Rosewood and Leather 'Swinger' Chairs by Don Shoemaker for Senal, 1960s, Signed
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Named the 'Swinger Chair' for its pivoting mechanism that allows you to swing in your seat, this incredible pair of rosewood and black leather 'Swinger' rocking armchairs by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. (Mexico) are highly sought after by interior designers and avid collectors alike. The thick black leather hides used for the sling are complemented with leather buttons connecting the sling to the frame of the chairs. Matching black leather removable seat cushions have beautiful patina as can be seen in the photos. Artistically sculpted exotic rosewood put together in an eye catching and interesting biomorphic form with shoemaker's signature rosewood insert accents for the feet and upper back of the chairs. Exceptional craftsmanship utilizing innovative links and joints. Metal brackets connecting the seats to the frame allow the chairs to gently rock - consider this as a nursing chair for the design-centric home. Signed with a Senal S.A. label on lower bar of one chair. Mexican modern is a style that fits incredibly well with Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian or Danish Modern, Brazilian Modern, and Hollywood Regency. It is also a great addition for interior designers to turn an otherwise simple contemporary space and add a splash of wild and interesting. Whether you are designing a Mid-Century Modern home, contemporary, post-modern or french neoclassical apartment, these Don Shoemaker Swinger...
Leather, Rosewood
$2,800 / set
H 29.5 in W 25.5 in D 31 in
Mid-Century Danish Modern Rosewood & Brown Leather Lounge Chair & Ottoman Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Norwegian made designer lounge chair & ottoman set circa 1972. It features rosewood stained solid wood chair frames with chocolate brown leather upholstery. Price includes the set ...
Leather, Wood
Don Shoemaker sling leather lounge chair .
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sling lounge chair in a fancy wood by Don Shoemaker .
Leather
Pair of Original Don Shoemaker Leather Sling Chairs
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Pair of original vintage sling chairs designed and produced by Don Shoemaker for Señal S.A, solid Cocobolo with original black leather sling seat, ...
Wood
Pair of Original Don Shoemaker Leather Sling Chairs
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Pair of original vintage sling chairs designed and produced by Don Shoemaker for Señal S.A, solid Cocobolo with original black leather sling seat, ...
Wood