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)
Clara Porset's Mexican Walnut & Hemp Butaque Chair, licensed reedition by Luteca
By Clara Porset, Luteca Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cuban-born Clara Porset was a pioneer for modern design in Mexico. Having studied architecture in New York and then Paris, she finally settled in Mexico devoting her life to champion...
Walnut, Hemp
Modernist Mexican San Miguel Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren from Luteca
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The San Miguel lounge chair is a timeless mid-century Mexican piece inspired by the classic Latin American Butaque chair famed by the likes of 20th Century Mexican architect Luis Barragan and Industrial Designer Clara Porset. Michael van Beuren, an American born designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhuas school, produced this award winning piece in 1941 for the MoMA's Organic Design Exhibition in New York along with it's sister-design, the Alacran Chaise...
Teak
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully striking, contemporary dining chair with elegant scissor legs and floating back, inspired by the midcentury chairs of Spanish designer Eugenio Escudero from the the 195...
Ash
Butaque Armchair, Licensed Reedition, Tropical Hardwood & Tan Leather, IN STOCK
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
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Leather, Hardwood
Clara Porset's Mexican Butaque Chair, licensed reedition by Luteca
By Clara Porset, Luteca Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cuban-born Clara Porset was a pioneer for modern design in Mexico. Having studied architecture in New York and then Paris, she finally settled in Mexico devoting her life to championing her mutually enriching vision of modernity and tradition. A fierce proponent of historical craft traditions, Clara Porset created wholly contemporary versions of the classic Mexican vernacular forms including the colonial butaque chair...
Hide, Maple
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by 20th-century Latin American design, the Clara Dining Chair blends heritage craftsmanship with modern sophistication. Its solid wood frame, sculptural curves, and floating...
Ash
Lounge Chair in Walnut & Original Fabric After Harvey Probber, Usa, C. 1970's
By Harvey Probber
Located in Deland, FL
Mid-Century Modern low slung club chair after Harvey Probber (1922–2003) the influential American Mid Century Modern furniture designer born in Brooklyn, New York. A self-taught tale...
Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Walnut Lounge Chair Model 2161-C For Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern lounge chair was designed by American design legend Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates circa 1960s. This armchair is documented in the Craft Associates cata...
Velvet, Walnut
1960s Solid Walnut Lounge Chair Ib Kofod-Larsen for Selig
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Charleston, SC
Beautiful solid walnut and teak lounge chair Attributed to Ib Kofod-Larsen imported by Selig. features stunning sculpted arms, a slatted back, new yellow velvet upholstery and new w...
Velvet, Teak
CraftAssociates Lounge Chair, Peabody Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair, Walnut
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Lounge Chair, Peabody Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair, Walnut This modern lounge chair by Lawrence Peabody : Holiday Series for Craft Associates Furniture is expertl...
Wood, Walnut
Lawson-Fenning San Rafael Lounge Chair, Solid Walnut, Modern Armchair
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The San Rafael Lounge Chair is a generously proportioned chair that excels in comfort. The plush wide-channel tufted cushions are tailored beautifully to interlock with the expertly...
Upholstery, Walnut
Paul Laszlo Attribution, Lounge Chair, Mahogany, Velvet, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A bleached mahogany and brown velvet lounge chair attributed to Paul Laszlo, US, c. 1950s. Wear to wood consistent with age and use. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. Overall Di...
Velvet, Wood, Mahogany
