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 for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Sofa, Mid Century
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare rosewood and leather sofa, very comfortable and in great condition, Don Shoemaker (Rosewood up to 10kg can be shipped worldwide, no paperwork is necessary for this shipment) A s...
Leather, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Leather Rosewood Sofa
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in New York, NY
Don Shoemaker leather and rosewood sofa.
Leather, Wood, Cocobolo
Swedish Leather Samsas Round Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
This is an absolutely stunning and iconic design. It’s the Swedish Leather Samsas Round Sofa designed by Carl Malmsten in the 1920’s. This model was made in Sweden in the late 20th c...
Leather, Wood
$7,500
H 29 in W 66 in D 27 in
Angel Pazmino Rosewood & Leather, Three-Seat Sofa, Made in Equador, 1960's
By Muebles De Estilo
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Angel Isaac Pazmino for Muebles de Estilo Solid Rosewood and Russet Leather Sofa. Featuring rugged handcrafted Rosewood peg construction, comfortable heavy strapped Leather with cris...
Leather, Rosewood
$11,002
H 27.56 in W 68.51 in D 32.88 in
Small Restored Chesterfield Victorian Whisky Brown Leather Sofa
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored Victorian circa 1880 hand dyed Chesterfield two-seat sofa with fully but...
Leather, Mahogany
De Sede 'DS-47' Two Seat Sofa in Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, 'DS-47' sofa, leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Highly comfortable DS47 sofa in a patinated cognac brown leather by De Sede. The design is simplistic, yet very modern. This desi...
Leather
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
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
Mid Century Danish Brown Leather & Rosewood Sofa
By Galvano
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Simple Mid Century Danish Sofa with an executive sort of feel. Manufactured by Soda Gavano Sofa is dark chocolate leather with a rosewood base. Sofa is well loved. Leather shows ...
Leather, Rosewood
$8,801Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 85.83 in D 35.63 in
1950's Hand Dyed Restored Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Club Sofa English
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original 1950’s cigar brown leather Chesterfield club sofa in lightly restored condition with fully buttoned base and solid walnut turned feet...
Leather, Beech, Oak
$2,900Sale Price|34% Off
H 33 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood 'Swinger' Rocking Chair, 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 cocobolo rosewood and black leather 'Swinger' rocking armchair by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. (Mexico) is 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 chair. Matching black leather removable seat cushion has beautiful patina as can be seen in the photos. Artistically sculpted exotic cocobolo 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 chair. Exceptional craftsmanship utilizing innovative links and joints. Metal brackets connecting the seat to the frame allow the chair to gently rock - consider this as a nursing chair for the design-centric home. Senal S.A. label on lower bar of 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, this Don Shoemaker Swinger...
Leather, Rosewood
Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don Shoemaker Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare an amazing chair designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960.
Wood, Pine
Chippendale Style Burgundy Leather Camelback Button Tufted Sofa
Located in Queens, NY
English Georgian style (20th century) burgundy leather camel-back button tufted chesterfield sofa with brass rivet trim supported on straight reeded legs and cross bar stretcher.
Brass
$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 ...
Leather, Rosewood
Descanso Sofa by Don Shoemaker for Señal in Cueramo and Leather
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A deep sofa from Don Shoemaker’s “Descanso” line produced in highly figured cueramo wood and black leather. The blocky construction and broad planes of the frame showcase the almost ...