Elinor McGuire for McGuire San Francisco Rattan Dining Chairs, a Pair
About the Item
- Creator:John and Elinor McGuire (Designer),McGuire (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 34 in (86.36 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Organic Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Cushions pictured are for display purposes only and are not included.
- Seller Location:Vero Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6542238562842
John and Elinor McGuire
Like so many artists and designers, husband and wife John McGuire (1920–2013) and Elinor Stevenson (1914–2005) became masters in their trade by accident. For the founders of McGuire Furniture Company, well, furniture wasn’t actually in the plans.
The couple met just before the start of World War II (during which John was in the U.S. Navy and Elinor was a navigation instructor) and got married after it ended. They settled down in San Francisco where John held a couple of jobs — among them selling newspaper ads for the San Francisco Examiner while Elinor worked for Boeing Aircraft. Soon, an old Navy buddy of John’s asked him to help sell a bunch of rattan furniture and, needing the money, John agreed. His side business became so successful that John decided to quit his ad-sales job and work full-time in design.
In 1948, McGuire Furniture Company was born. Alongside the mid-century modern furniture designs then gaining popularity in the United States, John introduced an unconventional idea: traditional armchairs, stools and tables made of natural materials such as bamboo, which was strong yet could be rendered pliable when steamed, that were intended for the indoors rather than the front porch.
The brand’s first success was the now famous Director’s X-Chair by Leonard Linden. The military-campaign-style solid oak folding chair launched in 1956 and saw rattan binded with rawhide strips and a high-grade leather slug seat and back that eliminated the need for a plush cushion. Elinor, too, designed some of the brand’s popular pieces, such as 1968’s Cracked Ice chair. With its rattan oval back a dazzling celebration of geometric forms that give it its charming moniker, the Cracked Ice chair was an instant classic and is one of the brand’s most recognizable designs.
Today, McGuire and another American furniture manufacturer, Baker Furniture Company, comprise Baker Interiors Group. McGuire remains true to the founders’ ideals and commitment to crafting the kind of organic modern furnishings that are synonymous with the warm and relaxed feel of California design. The company has collaborated with interior designers Steven Volpe, Orlando Diaz-Azcuy and Nicole Hollis, and, as of 2019, its luxury furnishings share a 16,500-square-foot showroom with Baker’s in San Francisco. Some of the earliest McGuire Furniture Company designs are part of the permanent collection at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City.
Find a wide range of vintage John and Elinor McGuire furniture on 1stDibs.
McGuire
Like so many artists and designers, husband and wife John McGuire (1920–2013) and Elinor Stevenson (1914–2005) became masters in their trade by accident. For the founders of McGuire Furniture Company, well, furniture wasn’t actually in the plans.
The couple met just before the start of World War II (during which John was in the U.S. Navy and Elinor was a navigation instructor) and got married after it ended. They settled down in San Francisco where John held a couple of jobs — among them selling newspaper ads for the San Francisco Examiner while Elinor worked for Boeing Aircraft. Soon, an old Navy buddy of John’s asked him to help sell a bunch of rattan furniture and, needing the money, John agreed. His side business became so successful that John decided to quit his ad-sales job and work full-time in design.
In 1948, McGuire Furniture Company was born. Alongside the mid-century modern furniture designs then gaining popularity in the United States, John introduced an unconventional idea: traditional armchairs, stools and tables made of natural materials such as bamboo, which was strong yet could be rendered pliable when steamed, that were intended for the indoors rather than the front porch.
The brand’s first success was the now famous Director’s X-Chair by Leonard Linden. The military-campaign-style solid oak folding chair launched in 1956 and saw rattan binded with rawhide strips and a high-grade leather slug seat and back that eliminated the need for a plush cushion. Elinor, too, designed some of the brand’s popular pieces, such as 1968’s Cracked Ice chair. With its rattan oval back a dazzling celebration of geometric forms that give it its charming moniker, the Cracked Ice chair was an instant classic and is one of the brand’s most recognizable designs.
Today, McGuire and another American furniture manufacturer, Baker Furniture Company, comprise Baker Interiors Group. McGuire remains true to the founders’ ideals and commitment to crafting the kind of organic modern furnishings that are synonymous with the warm and relaxed feel of California design. The company has collaborated with interior designers Steven Volpe, Orlando Diaz-Azcuy and Nicole Hollis, and, as of 2019, its luxury furnishings share a 16,500-square-foot showroom with Baker’s in San Francisco. Some of the earliest McGuire Furniture Company designs are part of the permanent collection at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City.
Find a range of McGuire Furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Vero Beach, FL
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Elinor McGuire for McGuire San Francisco Rattan Dining Chairs, a Set of 4By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuireLocated in Vero Beach, FLA beautiful set of four M-74 dining chairs designed by Elinor McGuire for McGuire San Francisco. Chairs have the original finish and feature McGui...Category
Vintage 1970s American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Bamboo, Rattan
- 1970s McGuire San Francisco Rattan Cane Back Dining Arm Chairs, a PairBy John and Elinor McGuire, McGuireLocated in Vero Beach, FLCasual luxury from McGuire San Francisco. A pair of vintage 1970s organic modern chairs designed in the classic tradition using beautiful materials simply and sensitively. This exper...Category
Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Bamboo, Rattan, Cane
- A Pair of McGuire San Francisco Rattan Target Arm Chairs or Dining ChairsBy McGuire, John and Elinor McGuireLocated in Vero Beach, FLA pair of rattan arm chairs or dining chairs designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire in the California organic modern style. These impeccably crafted chairs display an open rattan back, which frames McGuire's iconic Rattan Target design. Chairs feature gracefully curved arms, McGuire's signature rawhide laces on the exposed joints, and thick rattan frames in a medium brown wood tone. Seats have a loose cushion with vintage fabric that rests on a stick deck, and each chair retains the McGuire San Francisco brass plaque. If you are interested in a set of four or six McGuire Rattan Target Chairs...Category
Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Bamboo, Rattan
- Elinor McGuire Rattan Target Arm Chairs or Dining Chairs, a PairBy McGuire, John and Elinor McGuireLocated in Vero Beach, FLA pair of rattan arm chairs or dining chairs designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire in the California organic modern style. These impeccably crafted chairs display an open rattan back, which frames McGuire's iconic Rattan Target design. Chairs feature gracefully curved arms, McGuire's signature rawhide laces on the exposed joints, and thick rattan frames in a medium brown wood tone. Seats have a loose cushion with vintage fabric that rests on a stick deck, and each chair retains the McGuire San Francisco brass plaque. If you are interested in a set of four or six McGuire Rattan Target Chairs...Category
Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Bamboo, Rattan
- Elinor McGuire Rattan Caned Barrel Back Arm Chairs, a PairBy John and Elinor McGuire, McGuireLocated in Vero Beach, FLA pair of rattan caned barrel back dining armchairs designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire. Casual luxury from McGuire San Francisco. Vintage organic modern chairs designed in the classic tradition using beautiful materials simply and sensitively. These comfortable and versatile arm chairs feature an expertly handcrafted rattan frame and McGuire’s innovative double caning technique on the back and arm panels. The barrel-back design is formed by a graceful arc of rattan cane that flows seamlessly from each armrest, meeting at the top rail. Seats have a loose cushion with vintage fabric that rests on a caned deck, and each chair retains the McGuire San Francisco brass plaque. Seat height is 20" with cushion. Chair legs are reinforced with cross stretchers accented by McGuire's signature rawhide laces. Enjoy the uncompromising quality and relaxed, timeless style that is McGuire. This M85C model is featured in McGuire's 1985 catalog. Compare to Baker McGuire...Category
Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
- 1970s McGuire San Francisco Rattan Cane Back Dining Arm Chairs, a Set of FourBy John and Elinor McGuire, McGuireLocated in Vero Beach, FLCasual luxury from McGuire San Francisco. This vintage organic modern set is designed in the classic tradition using beautiful materials simply and sensitively. The set of four armchairs features a cane seat back and graceful frames constructed from bent rattan. Seats have a loose cushion with vintage fabric that rests on a stick deck, and each chair retains the McGuire San Francisco brass plaque. Chair legs are reinforced with cross stretchers accented by McGuire's signature rawhide laces. If interested in a set of six McGuire Rattan Cane Back Dining Arm Chairs...Category
Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
- Elinor McGuire M-86 Rattan & Cane ChairBy McGuire, John and Elinor McGuireLocated in Highland, INElinor McGuire designed this model M-86c occasional chair for McGuire of San Fransisco, the company she started with her husband John. The only thing more impressive than the many su...Category
Vintage 1970s American Organic Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Cane, Rattan
- Elinor And John Mcguire San Francisco 1970 set of 6 Rattan chairsBy John and Elinor McGuireLocated in Roma, RMElinor And John Mcguire San Francisco 1970 set of 6 Rattan chairs with leather bindings, complete with cushions Single chair dimensions 45 W x 85 H × 47 D Condition report: very good...Category
Vintage 1970s Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Six McGuire Of San Francisco "Cracked Ice" Dining ChairsBy John and Elinor McGuireLocated in Bradenton, FLSet of six late 20th century McGuire of San Francisco "Cracked Ice" dining chairs. Chairs were designed by John and Elinor McGuire in the Chinese Chippendale style. Elegant chairs fe...Category
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsTextile, Cane, Rattan, Wood
- Pair of McGuire Rattan Target Back Dining ChairsBy John and Elinor McGuireLocated in Houston, TXEnhance your dining experience with McGuire Rattan Target Dining Chairs, seamlessly blending comfort and style. Crafted with precision and elegance, these chairs feature a sturdy rat...Category
20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBamboo, Rattan
- McGuire San Francisco Rattan, Cane and Rawhide Armchairs, Set of 4By McGuireLocated in Miami, FLMcGuire San Francisco Rattan, Cane and Rawhide Armchairs, Set of 4 Offered for sale is a set of four vintage McGuire San Francisco rattan dining armchairs. The chairs have woven can...Category
Late 20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Cane, Rattan, Foam
- Vintage McGuire San Francisco Dining Armchairs, Upholstered Set of 6By McGuireLocated in Miami, FLVintage McGuire San Francisco dining armchairs, upholstered Set of 6 Offered for sale is an elegant set of 6 upholstered McGuire San Francisc...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Wood