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)
Solid Wood Outdoor Modernist Armchair, Designed in the 20th Century
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Miguelito armchair is an iconic design by the Bauhaus trained American designer Michael van Beuren, realized during his lifetime in Mexico. It is meticulously handcrafted in Irok...
Teak
$1,945Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of Midcentury Armchairs by Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mérida, Yucatan
Set of 2 pieces of armchairs created in the mid-century period in Mexico, made of restored mahogany wood and renewed vegan leather upholstery following the same design as the origina...
Faux Leather, Walnut
$4,101 / set
H 27.56 in W 43.12 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Lovely Vintage Oxblood Leather Chesterfield Gentleman's Club Armchairs
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this pair of stunning vintage Oxblood leather Chesterfield Club armchairs which are part of a suite These are part of a suite as mentioned A ...
Leather
$4,000 / set
H 33.08 in W 22.84 in D 24.81 in
Mexican Miguelito Living Room Set in the style of Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, We offer this Mexican Miguelito Living Room Set in the style of Michael Van Beuren. Made in pine wood and recently professionally restored.
Pine
$2,280
H 35.44 in W 18.31 in D 18.9 in
Scandinavian Modern, Stump Chair / “Kubstol” in Pine, Mid 20th Century, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
A fine example of a mid 20th-century Swedish Stump Chair, "Kubstol", crafted in pine with a sculptural silhouette and clean lines. The chair’s understated character is enhanced by th...
Pine
$7,995 / set
H 36 in W 28 in D 37 in
20th Century Brutalist Oak Armchairs, Pair with Solid Wood Frames Cream
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of 20th century armchairs crafted in oak and designed in the Brutalist style, defined by strong lines and solid construction. The form emphasizes structure and material presen...
Wood
$1,295
H 35 in W 25 in D 26 in
Italian Fan-Backed Arm Chair of Rattan and Bamboo from the Mid-20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine, vintage Italian armchair of woven rattan and bamboo from the Mid-20th century - featuring a fan design to the back and a very comfortable seat.
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
$7,500 / set
H 42 in W 25 in D 21 in
Beautiful Pair of Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Carved Wood Armchairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Beautiful Pair of Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Carved Wood Arm Chairs High backs with high wavy arms, fine floral and foliate carved motifs on the back, arms and bottom. Detail...
Fabric, Wood
$3,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 38.98 in W 25.99 in D 20.48 in
19th Century Spanish Colonial Altar Carved Armchairs with Wood Seat & Back
Located in Miami, FL
19th century walnut Spanish colonial altar armchairs with wood back with ornamental carved and wood seat. The unusual lyre legs complete this exceptional pair of armchairs Measures: ...
Walnut
Pair of Antique French Carved Parlor or Living Room Armchairs
Located in Highwood, IL
Antique French armchairs, intricately hand-carved in the late 1800's, in as found condition. The pair of French antique armchairs, sti...
Wood, Upholstery
$2,880
H 29.34 in W 19.3 in D 22.05 in
Swedish Stump Chair / “Kubstol” in Pine & Floral Upholstery, Mid 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A rare Scandinavian stump chair, known as a "Kubstol", crafted from a solid section of pine trunk and produced in Sweden during the 1970s. The chair combines rustic craftsmanship wit...
Fabric, Textile, Pine
$9,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 77.56 in W 43.31 in D 31.5 in
Carved Throne Chairs with Relief Design in Wood, 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wood; Carved; Throne Chair; Side Chair; Relief Design; 20th Century; Europe; Woodworking; A pair of unusual antique throne chairs made of solid...
Wood
Art Deco Pair of Armchairs and Table, France, circa 1920s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Stunning Art Deco set of two deep, barrel-back armchairs with a matching round side table. Giltwood. Newly re-upholstered in Art Deco period velvet fabric velvet, with an exotic fl...
18th Century Welsh Vernacular Armchair
Located in Chicago, IL
A charismatic 18th century Welsh walnut armchair with a tall paneled back with a wide crestrail, beautifully worn curved arms without-turned ends, a wide s...
Walnut
Michael Van Beuren Lounge Chair for Domus
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
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 lounge chair features...
Cord, Mahogany
Michael van Beuren High Back Lounge Chair for Domus
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
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 lounge chair features...
Cord, Mahogany
Sold
H 33.5 in W 23.25 in D 18.5 in
Set of 4 Midcentury Mexican Woven Arm Chairs by Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Charleston, SC
Stunning set of 4 rare midcentury Mexican pine and woven palm dining or side chairs by Michael van Beuren circa 1950s. Gorgeous vintage condition. One chair...
Pine
Set of 8 Michael Van Beuren 'Edimburgo' Armchairs
By Michael van Beuren
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
This set of 8 armchairs by Michael Van Beuren circa 1960s is the key piece to improve the design of any space in your home. The armchair has a wooden structure and a comfortable seat...
Fabric, Wood
Michael van Beuren 'Edimburgo' Armchair
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Superb and rare armchair by Michael Van Beuren for his company, made in Mexico in the 1960s. The beautiful chair boasts a nice combination of woods with a stunning teak backrest -- this is not a chair you should keep up against the wall! The original leather seat is in good vintage condition with some signs of wear (photos show examples of this). Frame shows signs of use but is good overall and ready for immediate use. The Van Beuren label is affixed underneath the chair and is great shape, with all text clearly visible -- a rare find for one of these 1960s Mexican modern chairs.
Leather, Teak
Michael van Beuren Original "San Miguelito" Armchair for Domus
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
San Miguelito Armchair, this is a unique opportunity to have in your space an important part of the Mexican modernism. In 1937 Michael van Beuren arri...
Pine
Modernist Armchair by M. Van Beuren Set of 2 Pieces
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mérida, Yucatan
Modernist armchair by M. Van Beuren. These pieces are called "San Miguelito", created for indoor or outdoor terrace towards the end of 1950. This origina...
Walnut
Sold
H 29.5 in W 27 in D 28.5 in
Michael van Beuren Set of Two Original Armchairs and Cocktail Table for Domus
By Klaus Grabe, Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Wonderful set of original San Miguelito Armchairs and a rare cocktail table that the years have not been able to separate, this is a unique opportunity to have in your space an impor...
Pine, Palmwood