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)
$18,000 / set
Michael Van Beuren Three Seater Woven Sofa
By Michael van Beuren
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 example, c.1950s Mex...
Rattan, Pine
$1,727 / item
H 19.88 in W 74.65 in D 29.5 in
Kartell Bubble Club 2-Seat Sofa in Zinc White by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A veritable icon made by Kartell, the mass-tinted polypropylene Bubble Club sofa was a Pioneer of a new concept in furniture accessories: the Industrial sofa made entirely of plastic...
Plastic
$10,577 / item
H 35.83 in W 64.97 in D 39.38 in
Hand Tailored Fringes 2-Seat Sofa in Antique Pink Velvet
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
The handmade sofa draws on the signature Franjas fashion theme, ruffling the scene and inviting guests with its fun and flirtatious feel. Featuring three layers of fringes that run a...
Velvet, Wood, Silk, Trimming
Two-Seat Sofa, Denmark, 1950, New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful two-seat curved sofa manufactured in the 1950s. Lovely shape and curves. Very comfortable seat with two feather cushions covered of blue Kvadrat velvet. Perfect condition,...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
$3,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 85 in D 28 in
Magnificent Space-Age Tubular Chrome 2-Seat Sofa with Table Ingmar Relling Style
By Ingmar Relling
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent Space Age chrome tubular 2-seat sofa with attached table in the style of Ingmar Relling. This piece is a bit of a mystery as to designer but by the shear quality and craftsmanship they shout that the designer is someone important. This sofa settee was purchased from a super high end car dealership from the 1970s. The interior of this car dealership was very futuristic in design with many pieces like this and pieces from the fiberglass steelcase floating furniture...
Chrome
Vintage Line Roset "Cinna" Two Seat Sofa From France, Circa 1960
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage Line Roset "Cinna" Two Seat Sofa From France, Circa 1960. We don't have the time to write an extensive description on each of our pieces. We pref...
Upholstery
$10,920 / item
H 28 in W 75 in D 34 in
Double-Seat Sofa in Milled Black Leather and Oiled Laser-Cut Steel
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The sofa double is guilty as charged. Doubling the fun of Klein Agency's sofa Single, this contemporary piece is utilizing the same bulging pillow forms. The double allows ample room...
Cut Steel
Gerard van den Berg 'Corvette' Sofa in Natural Cognac Leather
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Corvette' sofa by Gerard van den Berg features a fully upholstered form in original cognac natural leather. Rounded, voluminous cushioning defines the silhouette — the seat, bac...
Leather
Vivai del Sud Italian Two Seat Sofa
By Vivai del Sud
Located in New York, NY
A vibrant and cheerful Vivai del Sud two seat sofa in gold and cream silk moire fabric; original upholstery. The smooth and sensuous form, combined with the sweet color, creates an a...
Fabric
Two Seater Togo Sofa in Yellow Leather by Ligne Roset, 1980s France
By Ligne Roset
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic French two seater Togo sofa by Michel Ducaroy for luxury brand Ligne Roset. Originally designed in the 1970s the iconic togo sofa is now a design...
Leather
Michael Van Beuren Bauhaus Teak and Raffia Loveseat, Circa 1940
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Mexican Modern Michael van Beuren teak and woven raffia lounge settee. Featuring a sturdy, functional, comfortable two piece Teak framework, two pegs holding the seat in place, Raffi...
Rattan, Teak
$2,290
H 38.19 in W 47.25 in D 26.78 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Rattan and Bamboo Love Seat or Sofa, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Nicely shaped rattan and bamboo frame. This wonderful Vintage Mid-Century Modern love seat or sofa is in very good condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. This lovely piece of furniture looks wonderful in a Boho Ibiza style...
Bamboo
Two Seater Togo Sofa in White Leather by Ligne Roset, 1980s France
By Ligne Roset
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic French two seater Togo sofa by Michel Ducaroy for luxury brand Ligne Roset. Originally designed in the 1970s the iconic togo sofa is now a design classic. This sofa comes in ...
Leather
Mexican Modern Three-Seat Modular Sofa by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bauhaus-trained, Mexico city based Michael van Beuren created highly functional modern design inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. This example is a modular sofa/loun...
Rattan, Teak