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
$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
$28,549 / 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,...
$1,795 / set
H 30 in W 107 in D 42 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Mid Century Walnut Drop Leaf Dining Table
By John Van Koert, Drexel
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
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
Saarinen for Knoll Pedestal Dining Table
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
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
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
$20,817
H 28.35 in W 78.75 in D 31.5 in
Dining table by Angelo Mangiarotti for La Sorgente Dei Mobili, 1970s
By Angelo Mangiarotti, La Sorgente Dei Mobili
Located in bruxelles, BE
Table with wooden top and cast iron legs by Angelo Mangiarotti for La Sorgente Dei Mobili. Wear due to age and time. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Iron
Burl Wood Dinning Table by Miniforms, Italy, 1970s
By Miniforms
Located in Brussel, BE
Luxurious Mid-Century dining table made of a combination of walnut, olive, and cherry burl wood, jointed into segments and geometric shapes, and finished with a thick glass-like lacq...
Glass, Wood, Burl
Tulip Dining Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1960s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
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
Dinning Table by Audoux Minnet
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Saint Ouen, France
"Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet were a French duo who worked together in the mid-20th century. They are known for their innovative use of natural materials, including rope, wicker a...
Ceramic, Rattan
Daybed in the Style of Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this rare daybed in the style of Michael Van Beuren. Made in primavera wood.
Wood
$8,500
H 29.25 in W 66.5 in D 42.5 in
Vintage “Cityscape” Chrome Dining Table by Paul Evans for Directional, 1970s
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Step into a world where art and function merge with this remarkable mid-century dining table, designed by the legendary Paul Evans for Directional in the 1970s. A true icon from the ...
Chrome
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 Domus, 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 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 Domus, 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 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