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" 1970s Bar Server Buffet, Trolley with Extendable Top
By John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
"McGuire" 1970s bar Server Buffet - Trolley with extendable top. Designed by John and Elinor Mcguire in the seventies this item is part of a dining room set that can be bought toge...
Rattan, Wood
$1,294
H 30.52 in W 26.58 in D 16.54 in
Space Age Vintage Bar Cart Serving Trolley Green Chromed Metal 1970s Germany
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage bar cart or serving trolley from green formica plates and chromed metal frame 1970s. Throughout its foldable parts on eac...
Metal
$1,151
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 18.51 in
Italian Midcentury Serving Bar Cart or Trolley with Teak Trays, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Classic serving cart, bar or trolley from the Italian mid-century, 1970s of great quality. The base of the trolley is made of black metal with two beautiful teak wood veneer shelves....
Metal
Midcentury McGuire Faux Bamboo Bar Cart
By McGuire
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Dynamic faux bamboo bar cart with well grained oak panels, reed wrapped corners, finished all around, recessed casters and slide out service space. Signed McGuire in the drawer.
Reed, Oak
$986
H 29.53 in W 31.5 in D 35.44 in
Serving Drink Bar Cart Trolley with side flaps, marquetry inlays, 1970s.
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
Beautiful Italian Neoclassical inlaid Marquetry Dessert - Bar Cart Bar cart in Neoclassical Design - made from fine Woods and Brass. Magnificent intricate Marquetry on the Serving Su...
Brass
Vintage Italian Space Age Plastic Bar Trolley, Orange, 1970s, 47cm
Located in Vienna, AT
Striking vintage plastic bar cart from the 1970s, a true testament to Italys iconic design era. Crafted in bold orange plastic, this circular trolley features two spacious shelves supported by three sturdy legs, offering both function and style. Its compact size (47 cm in diameter, 53 cm in height) makes it the perfect addition to any room, whether youre using it as a serving cart or a quirky side table. This mid-century piece is as practical as it is eye-catching, with smooth-rolling swivel wheels that allow for easy mobility. Whether youre hosting guests or simply want a stylish way to display your favorite drinks, this trolley is a versatile and playful addition to your space. The sleek, circular design embodies the best of 70s Space Age aesthetics, making it a standout in any retro, eclectic, or contemporary decor. The vibrant orange color exudes a playful energy that is sure to bring a pop of personality into Perfect for vintage enthusiasts or anyone looking to add a fun, functional piece to their home decor, this 70s bar...
Plastic
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.5 in W 29.5 in D 20 in
A Rare Bar Harbor Style One Drawer Server with Top Shelf in Natural Finish
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Nashua, NH
A rare Bar Harbor style one drawer wicker server In natural finish. It is beautifully and elaborately woven in a three over three reed design on all surfacesmwith an unbelievably bea...
Wicker, Reed, Wood
$1,175Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.05 in W 51.19 in D 24.41 in
1970s Vintage Extendible Coffee Sofa Table, Wood Veneer & Chrome
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
1970s Vintage Extendible Coffee Sofa Table with Wood Veneer and Chrome Vintage Extendible Coffee - Sofa Table, designed in the 1970s, offers a rare and versatile piece with a mid-ce...
Chrome
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Serving Cart Buffet with Expandable Top
By McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
McGuire organic modern rattan bamboo and oak expandable serving cart buffet. An original McGuire design circa 1964, this serving cart features a wonderful combination of oak and ratt...
Brass
Bar serving Trolley by Aldo Tura
By Aldo Tura
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare Serving Bar, or Bar trolley in wood veneer RED goatskin , From Aldo Tura early 1960. Made in Italy. with two flaps of 20 cm each, making a total of 80 cm when they are all open ...
Brass
Wicker Trolley Bar Cart, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A beautiful trolley table or tea cart made of a black painted metal frame with wicker shelves manufactured in midcentury in Austria, circa 1950. The wicker is in excellent condition. Wear of use on the metal particularly on the handles. The trolley is in the style of the wicker carts...
Metal
$1,480
H 22.65 in W 23 in D 16 in
Teak Reversible Tray Top Bar Cart or Tea Trolley by Sika Mobler, Denmark
By Sika Møbler
Located in Buffalo, NY
Danish modern teak bar cart or tea trolley has awesome lines! It features trapezoidal shaped sides, arced upper braces that support the two side’s tray top, a lower floating shelf held by brass pins, and Classic brass skinny 50s casters. The removable tray top has light grey laminate on one side (perfect for mixing your drinks without worry) and teak on the other - use it also to serve your guests. The arced struts that support it are notched (see close up) so that the tray stays in position and can't slide off. Perfect also as a printer cart...
Brass
$1,164Sale Price|40% Off
H 29.5 in W 30 in D 28 in
American Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood And Brass Bar Trolley Server
By Mastercraft
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
American Mid-Century Modern burl wood and brass bar trolley server The trolley has the original brass hardware and wheels. The server is in good sturdy order and the wheels works ...
Brass