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.
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
Rosewood and leather 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
$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
$2,050Sale Price / set|26% Off
H 32 in W 36 in D 35 in
'Mr Chair' and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, 1960s
By Plycraft, George Mulhauser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic Mid-Century Modern 'Mr. Chair' and ottoman, designed by George Mulhauser for Plycraft in the 1960s. A timeless example of American Modernist design, this sculptural lounge ...
Plywood, Faux Leather
Ib Kofod-Larsen Reclining Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Highland, IN
This reclining lounge chair and ottoman by Ib Kofod-Larsen combines sexy lines, incredible comfort, and great function. The chair features five positions of recline accommodating eve...
Birch, Upholstery
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
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
$5,910Sale Price|40% Off
H 37 in W 45.5 in D 72 in
Italian Chrome Tufted Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Stendig
By Stendig Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This lounge chair and ottoman by Stendig is quite the show stopper. It features overlapping curvilinear supports in chrome that attach to the base of each piece. It may look like a...
Chrome
Ralph Lauren Antique Style Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in New York, NY
Ralph Lauren antique style lounge chair and ottoman. The frame of the chair and ottoman is giltwood. Chair and ottoman is newly upholstered. Meas...
Upholstery, Giltwood
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
$2,900
H 36.5 in W 31 in D 30 in
Erhardsen & Andersen, "Siesta" Chair with Ottoman, Black Leather, Lounge Chair
By Erhardsen & Andersen
Located in Toledo, OH
Erhardsen and Andersen, "Siesta" chair with ottoman. 20th century. Black leather tufted armchair on chrome base with matching ottoman. Unlabeled...
Chrome
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
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
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
$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 Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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
Sold
H 17.13 in W 20.75 in D 17.63 in
Don Shoemaker Folding Leather & Rosewood Stool for Señal Furniture
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Denton, TX
Don Shoemaker Folding leather & rosewood stool for Señal Furniture. Recently re-corded in a beautiful black bolo leather cord.
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 32.29 in W 30.32 in D 28.35 in
Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Swinger Chair and Ottoman, Original Label
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, We offer this 'Swinger Chair' named for its pivoting mechanism that allows you to swing in your seat, this incredible Cocobolo Rosewood and black leather 'Swinger' chair ...
Cocobolo
Rosewood and Leather Stool or Ottoman by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Norwalk, CT
A very nice example of Don Shoemaker great craftsmanship this amazing stool in stunning rosewood and leather is not only a piece of function but one of art!
Rosewood
Rosewood and Leather Lounge Chair with Ottoman Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
Crafted in beautiful Mexican rosewood, the lounge chair and ottoman was an iconic design by Don Shoemaker for Senal. The design was influenced by Spanish Colonial style and took adva...
Leather, Rosewood