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)
Dining Table by Michael van Beuren 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 example is a dining t...
Rattan, Pine
$10,000 / set
Original Domus Dinning Set by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Domus dinning set (Table and 4 chairs) in pine wood and with the characteristic green Van Beuren color, designed by the American Bau...
Pine
$28,123 / set
H 29.53 in W 63.78 in D 63.78 in
Art Deco Dining Room Set by Mercier Freres, France, 1920s
By Mercier Freres
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rare and stunning Art Deco dining-room set by Mercier Freres, dating from the 1920s, comprising a large, square, extendable table, eight chairs, a sideboard with top display cabinet,...
$1,850
H 23.5 in W 15.5 in D 24 in
Mexican Modernist Michael Van Beuren Woven Rope Cord Triangular Table
By Domus, Michael van Beuren
Located in Round Top, TX
Muebles Austin was founded in 1944 in Mexico City by Austin Sulzburger (Switzerland) and was a successful furniture production company throughout the Mi...
Cord, Rope, Wood
Saarinen for Knoll Pedestal Dining Table
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in New York, NY
Nice early Saarinen design for Knoll tulip dining table. This example has the 575 Madison Ave Knoll address, it is in very good original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, ...
Metal
$1,795 / set
H 30 in W 107 in D 42 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Mid Century Walnut Drop Leaf Dining Table
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Van Koert for Drexel mid century walnut drop leaf dining table This table measures: 71 wide x 42 deep x 30 inches high, e...
Walnut
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Octagonal Dining Table
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Stunning dining octagonal pedestal dining table by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot.
Brass
Swing-Out Seat Outdoor Cafe Table Set
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
The Get Back, Inc. outdoor industrial dining table. Taking our swing-out seats a step beyond their usual bar and kitchen counter duties, Tim Byrne, founder of get back, Inc. combined them with powder-coated steel pedestal bases and Ipé seats and slats to create a weather resistant revival of America’s Classic picnic table. Each swing out seat provides a warm interactive experience as it moves with the body, positioning you to the perfect spot. With the strength to withstand in excess of a thousand pounds per seat, and the ability to be bolted to the ground, the stability and quality can be felt and seen throughout. An exquisite alternative to standard outdoor kitchen, breakfast, dining and cafe seating...
Metal, Steel, Iron
Tulip Dining Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in bruxelles, BE
Round Table (137 cm diameter) with marble top and aluminium base designed by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll International. Stamped Knoll International under the leg. Wear due to...
Marble, Aluminum
$39,850
H 30 in W 25.25 in D 23 in
Rare Pantonova Dining Set by Verner Panton 1971, Chrome, Glass Table, Six Chairs
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pantonova dining table and chairs designed by Verner Panton for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1971. The black and white check fabric was updated two years ag...
Chrome
Extending Dinning Table by Cardin, Italy, circa 1950
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Extending dinning table by Cardin, Italy, circa 1950.
Wood
Midcentury Dining Table by Paul Evans for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning vintage dining table by Paul Evans for Directional. Beautiful patchwork burl wood design that sits on a pedestal base with chrom...
Chrome
Judas Dining Table by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare and superb solid wood Judas dining table by Finn Juhl. Manufactured by Niels Vodder, the table features an expandable oval top (...
Silver
Lacquered Dinning Table with Original Burgundy Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
A large Chinese mid-19th century dinning table, originally a calligraphy table, with original red lacquer. Table top with traditional Chinese design featuring a "floating panel", all...
Elm
Sold
H 28.5 in W 35.5 in D 37.5 in
Mexican Modern Convertible Coffee/Dining Table by Michael van Beuren for Domus
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 convertible table with a teak frame and irregular shape with concave and convex sides. An under-frame of the table is strung with rattan, woven in a multi-strand basket weave resembling a checkerboard. An inset piece of glass brings the table surface even with the wooden frame and highlights the organic transparency of the weave. The rectangular frame base rotates on a hinged joint to shift the piece from coffee to dining table...
Rattan, Teak
Original Michael Van Beuren Dining Table for Domus
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Line Pino 5000, we offer this rare table made in Pine wood, circa 1940 designed by Michael van Beuren for Domus. This piece can be disassembled for better shipping.
Pine
Sold
H 21 in W 37.5 in D 35.5 in
Convertible Coffee or Dining Table 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 convertible table with a teak frame and and irregular shape with concave and convex sides. An under-frame of the table is strung with rattan, woven in a multi-strand basket weave resembling a checkerboard. An inset piece of glass brings the table surface even with the wooden frame and highlights the organic transparency of the weave. The rectangular frame base rotates on a hinged joint to shift the piece from coffee to dining table...
Teak, Rattan
Mexican Modern Dining Table 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 dining table with...
Teak, Rattan
Michael Van Beuren Dining Table
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Made in mahogany wood, circa 1960. The dining table includes the original label of Michael Van Beuren Factory, This piece can be disassembled for better shipping Literature: La Bauh...
Mahogany