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)
Oak Credenza with Handwoven Palm Doors by LUTECA, IN STOCK
By Michael van Beuren, Luteca Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in Mexico in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, this meticulously crafted credenza is made with handwoven woven palm cord doors in a technique unique to Mexico and features t...
Oak
Oak Credenza with Woven Palm Cord Doors, Handmade, Michael van Beuren, LUTECA
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in Mexico in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhaus school, this credenza combines the sophistication of Europe's moderni...
Wood, Oak
Oak Slatted Credenza / Sideboard - Fully Customizable
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood credenza / sideboard with slatted screen doors in white oak built by Material in Portland, Oregon. The clean modern lines and quiet texture o...
Oak
Rosewood Tambour Door Credenza by Dyrlund
By Dyrlund
Located in Denton, TX
Rare Danish modern rosewood tambour door credenza with center dovetailed drawer section and adjustable shelf on each side.
Mahogany, Oak, Rosewood
On Hold|$1,753
H 31.89 in W 38.98 in D 15.75 in
Cabinet Credenza Sideboard with Sliding Door by Ico Parisi for MiM, Italy 1960s
By MIM Roma
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning small sideboard with sliding doors in wood and aluminum designed by Ico Parisi and produced by MiM Roma in Italy during the 1960s. The sideboard is signed inside. In amazin...
Metal, Aluminum
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
Danish Modern Rosewood 4-Drawer 2-Door Sideboard Credenza
Located in Kensington, MD
Refined lines and proportions are the defining feature of this incredible credenza in rosewood. Four graduated drawers on the left. Two doors opening to cabinet storage on the right....
Rosewood
Oak Slatted Credenza / Sideboard With Record Player Hatch
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood credenza / sideboard with slatted screen doors in white oak built by Material in Portland, Oregon. This piece is outfitted with a top hatch door for access to a space for ...
Oak
$4,500Sale Price|25% Off
H 31.5 in W 35.44 in D 17.33 in
Original Domus Credenza by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare original Domus Credenza by Michael Van Beuren in pine wood and with the characteristic green Van Beuren color, designed by the American Bauhaus designer, Michael V...
Pine
$3,995
H 34 in W 74.5 in D 19 in
Michael Taylor for Baker Midcentury Hollywood Regency Cherry Sideboard Credenza
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency chinoiserie sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture, "New World" Collection USA, 1950s ...
Nickel
Original Domus Credenza by Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare original Domus Credenza by Michael Van Beuren in pine wood and with the characteristic Van Beuren color, designed by the American Bauhaus designer, Michael Van Beu...
Pine
$7,831
H 32.88 in W 108.27 in D 22.05 in
Large Brutalist Diamond Credenza in Stained Oak, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Echt, NL
High quality Brutalist sideboard in very good condition. The sideboard has 5 door panels that show a beautiful diamond shaped graphic pattern. Behind one door you can find two draw...
Aluminum
$22,265 / item
H 30.71 in W 79.53 in D 16.93 in
Lily Rounded Credenza in Honed Unfilled Navona Travertine and Oak by Fred&Juul
By Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
A credenza inspired by giant water lily pads and their curled rims, handmade out of 30 mm thick honed unfilled Navona Travertine with rounded, juxtaposed edges and Oak. Available in ...
Stone, Travertine, Marble
Colima Steel and White Oak Veneer Credenza
By Capital Studio
Located in Mexico City, MX
The Credenza Colima follows the concepts of functionalism with its two shelf surfaces and storage area. The electrostatically painted steel structure shows its pure essence, and the ...
Steel
Custom Mahogany Japanese Console
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This piece was a custom vintage piece was commissioned and designed in Japan. The piece is comprised of mahogany and sits low to the ground with three storage shelves and three drawe...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 84 in D 20.5 in
Handwoven Palm and Wood 4-Door Credenza by Michael van Beuren from LUTECA
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in Mexico in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhaus school, who was devoted to combining the sophistication of Europe's '...
Wood, Oak
Michael van Beuren Mexican Embassy Cabinet
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Dronten, NL
An important solid mahogany cupboard with doors on either side, 3 drawers at the centre and a display with sliding glass doors on top. The doors and sidewalls frame a beautiful baske...
Rattan, Mahogany
Important Michael van Beuren Mexican Embassy Sideboard
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Dronten, NL
A unique solid mahogany sideboard with doors on either side and 3 drawers at the centre. The doors frame a beautiful basket weave of rattan cord. Provenance: The office of the...
Rattan, Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 43.25 in D 20.5 in
Woven Credenza with Handwoven Palm Cord Doors by Michael van Beuren from LUTECA
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in Mexico in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhaus school, who was devoted to combining the sophistication of Europe's '...
Wood