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)
Double Sided Mahogany & Rattan Bookshelf by Michael van Beuren for Domus Mexico
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bauhaus trained, Mexico City based Michael van Beuren created a highly functional modern design inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. Designed for Domus Mexico...
Mahogany, Rattan
Mid-Century Modern Petite Disc Cabinet by Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Mid-Century Modern petite disc cabinet by Michael Van Beuren, made in mahogany plywood and brass details, includes VB original l...
Mahogany
Original Wardrobe by Michael van Beuren "Domus Line"
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare and Original Wardrobe designed by Michael Van Beuren for the "Domus" line, circa 1950, recently restored professionally.
Pine
Mid-Century Modern Early Knoll Walnut 2-Door Credenza
By Florence Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Diminutive credenza from the early 1950s. Walnut top is new veneer replacing worn Formica. Leather pulls a signature Florence Knoll design mark. Two sliding doors open to reveal two ...
Steel
Art Deco Burr Walnut Double Wardrobe Made in England
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Art Deco burr walnut double wardrobe. A very lovely solid and well-made wardrobe, there is damage on side of...
Walnut
$57,716 / item
H 77.17 in W 67.33 in D 21.26 in
Bongo Marble Wardrobe, Closet, Manual Doors, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Bongó Closet, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Bongó marble wardrobe is a reinterpretation of the original Bongó bar cabinet...
Onyx, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
$10,400 / item
H 86 in W 67 in D 18.25 in
Mahogany Georgian Style Four Door Bookcase China Cabinet by Leighton Hall
By Leighton Hall Furniture
Located in Suwanee, GA
This a traditional mahogany breakfront bookcase or china cabinet with four doors by Leighton Hall. It features four bottom doors with swirly crotch mahogany fields and straight grain mahogany borders. The top four doors feature grills with individually paned glass. The drawers are masterfully dovetailed and the drawer boxes are made of oak. The hardware is solid brass. The cabinet has dimmable lighting and mortised door locks. Each section has multiple adjustable 3/8 in. glass shelves. It has a hand rubbed satin finish. This cabinet is an excellent compliment to our custom mahogany dining tables...
Mahogany
$4,200
H 40 in W 52 in D 15.5 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Large Scale Cabinet, Chest or Credenza in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning Scandinavian cabinet from the 1960's. This sleek piece features gorgeous book-matched teak wood, large door and six drawers with tons of interior storage space. Nice shall...
Teak
Guillerme & Chambron Wardrobe in Solid Oak
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison, armoire or wardrobe, oak, brass, France, 1960s This charming wardrobe is a good example of excellent woodworking by virtue of the graphical de...
Brass
Ico Parisi Mid-Century Modern Jatoba Wood Credenza
By Ico Parisi
Located in Weesp, NL
Mid-Century Modern Jatoba wood Ico Parisi cabinet A spectacular bespoke trumeau designed by Ico Parisi and very likely produced by Ariberto Colombo, by special order only. Very few p...
Brass
$5,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 71 in W 54 in D 20 in
Rare Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Burl Chrome Armoire Wardrobe Mid-Century
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Rare Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin burl and chrome armoire/wardrobe. This piece is very rare and hard to find, this is the 1st time we have ever had one. It is in wonderful vintage...
Chrome
Dos Gallos Custom Large Oak Wood Cabinet or Wardrobe
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom Trastero cabinet in oakwood with heavy distress. Available in a variety of finishes. Custom sizes. Interior can be set up as a wardrobe or with shelves. As shown in open grain...
Oak
$3,749Sale Price|53% Off
H 70 in W 64.25 in D 16.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Burled Bookcase Wall Unit Cabinet by Johan Tapp for Gumps
By Johan Tapp, Gumps
Located in Lafayette, IN
Spectacular burled cabinet/wall unit designed by Johan Tapp for Gumps. Cabinet features beautiful book-matched burl veneered doors, solid brass hardwa...
Brass
Light Yellow 2-Door Wardrobe in Ash Wood
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
Shelf Cabinet designed by the parisian Designer Eric Gizard is equipped with 2 adjustable lacquered shelves and 2 doors with a push loose opening. The Kube itself (without the fe...
Wood, Ash
Wicker Rattan Cane Étagère Bookshelf
Located in New York, NY
A wicker rattan cane display bookshelf Étagère, Bohemian design, circa mid to late-20th century, 1960s, 1970s. A four-tier rattan Étagère bookshelf/bookcase with cane covered shelves...
Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Sold
H 38.25 in W 60 in D 18 in
Woven Rattan Credenza by Michael van Beuren, Mid-Century Design Mexico
By Michael van Beuren
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 credenza with a p...
Rattan, Pine
Woven Rattan Credenza by Michael van Beuren for Domus Mexico
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 small credenza wi...
Mahogany, Rattan
Modernist Cabinet by Michael Van Beuren for Domus
By Domus, Michael van Beuren
Located in New York, NY
Cabinet of carved and lacquered pine with wide rounded legs and woven fiber doors. The case is a dark green/gray, the interior, with a fixed shelf, is yellow. Designed by Michael van...
Cord, Pine
Cabinet by Michael van Beuren for Domus
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in New York, NY
Pine cabinet with painted slat facade and legs, and carved pulls. Designed by Michael van Beuren for his company, Domus, and produced in Mexico, circa 1947. Born in New York City, va...
Pine