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
Modernist Mexican San Miguel Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren from Luteca
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The San Miguel lounge chair is a timeless mid-century Mexican piece inspired by the classic Latin American Butaque chair famed by the likes of 20th Century Mexican architect Luis Barragan and Industrial Designer Clara Porset. Michael van Beuren, an American born designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhuas school, produced this award winning piece in 1941 for the MoMA's Organic Design Exhibition in New York along with it's sister-design, the Alacran Chaise...
Teak
Midcentury, Line Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren, Walnut & Velvet, by LUTECA
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Line lounge chair was designed in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American who trained at Germany's prestigious Bauhaus school and then immigrated to Mexico to become one of the most successful and sought after furniture designers of the 20th century. The Line chair has a distinctly Latin American flavor with its curved legs whilst honoring the international style...
Velvet, Walnut
$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
Michael van Beuren Bauhaus Teak and Raffia Lounge Chair, circa 1940
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Mexican Modern Michael van Beuren teak and woven raffia lounge chair. Featuring a sturdy, functional, comfortable two piece Teak framework, two pegs to hold the seat in place, ergono...
Raffia, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Frame Lounge Chair by Viko Baumritter
By Viko Baumritter
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant and in excellent vintage condition. Naugahyde remains in top condition and is quite comfy and stylish. Walnut frame is also in like new condition.
Naugahyde, Walnut
$4,450 / set
H 42.52 in W 24.02 in D 27.76 in
19th Century Spanish Colonial Altar Carved Armchairs with Wood Seat
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Spanish colonial altar armchairs with wood seat with ornamental carved on the back and beautiful legs and armchairs. There are a very resistant and heavy armchairs. Mea...
Walnut
$1,200Sale Price / set|59% Off
H 30.5 in W 22.5 in D 30.5 in
Matching Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in Lafayette, IN
Charming pair of streel-frame arm chairs built in 1965 by Steelcase Inc. Chairs feature angular, black-painted steel frames, walnut armrests and new saddle-brown vinyl embossed with a classic, western-inspired, paisley motif. With their architectural lines, unique upholstery...
Metal, Steel
$3,800 / set
H 38 in W 23.63 in D 21.07 in
20th Century Pair of Catalan Throne Armchairs in Walnut and Caned Seats
Located in Miami, FL
20th century pair of Catalan armchairs in carved walnut and caned seats. Country chairs.
Cane, Walnut
$3,800 / set
H 43.31 in W 21.66 in D 23.04 in
20th Century Pair of Catalan Throne Armchairs in Walnut and Caned Seats
Located in Miami, FL
20th century pair of Catalan armchairs in carved walnut and caned seats. Country chairs. Measures: Height to the arms: 26.77in.
Cane, Walnut
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.58 in W 30 in D 28 in
Ib Kofod-Larsen Walnut Scandinavian Danish Modern Lounge Chair for Selig
By Selig, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Wayne, NJ
Lovely chair by Ib Kofod-Larsen imported by Selig. It features stunning sculpted arms new Removable / Washable Cushion cover. The webbing is in good condition. The Selig emblem is pr...
Walnut
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
20th Century Swedish Grace Bare Wood Armchairs
Located in Kramfors, SE
Bare wood pine and birch armchairs from the 1930s, during the Swedish Grace period. The chairs are bare wood and has the typical characteristics of Swedish design from the period. Fe...
Birch, Pine
$3,306
H 33.47 in W 24.81 in D 20.87 in
Solid Oak and Rope Armchair, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950's
By Charlotte Perriand, Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Den Haag, NL
Solid oak and rope armchair, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950's.
Rope, Oak
$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
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
“San Miguelito” Chair by Michael van Beuren
By Don S. Shoemaker, Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
San Miguelito chair by Michael van Beuren for Domus, circa 1940s. The San Miguelito or Miguel chair was named after van Beuren’s Spanish moniker, “...
Leather, Wood, Pine
Michael Van Beuren Chair for Domus
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in New York, NY
Modernist chair of pine with curved and painted wood slats and rush-wrapped back rails. Designed by Michael van Beuren for his company, Domus, and produced in Mexico, circa 1947. Bor...
Pine, Rush