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.
1970s McGuire Cart Server Buffet in rattan with extendable wooden top and wheels
By McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
1970s McGuire Cart Server Buffet made in rattan with extendable wooden top and wheels. Dimensions: 110 W x 77 H x 57 D
Leather, Rattan
Mc Guire Wood Extendable Round Table, Diameter 113 cm
By McGuire
Located in IT
Table in walnut wood by Mc Guire, 113 cm in size, extendable by 45 cm. The extended table has an oval shape, reaching 158cm when open. The table can be combined with the Mc Guire ...
Wood
Classic Set of 4 McGuire Whitewashed Handcrafted Barrel Back Rattan Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic set of 4 McGuire barrel back whitewashed rattan armchairs having stylish newly upholstered seats in a striking cotton decorated with Chinese blu...
Cotton, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Glass Top Coffee Table, Circa 1970s
By McGuire
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century Hollywood Regency Organic Modern coffee or cocktail table By McGuire USA, Circa 1970s Bamboo form rattan, with leather wrapping, and glass top. Measure...
Bamboo, Rattan, Glass
$1,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Bamboo End Tables by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of bamboo and white laminate top end tables by McGuire, circa 1980s. Beautiful craftsmanship and sturdy construction on these o...
Bamboo, Laminate
American modern dining table or console by Lyda Levi for McGuire Company, 1970s
By McGuire
Located in MIlano, IT
American modern dining table or console by Lyda Levi for McGuire Company, 1970s Dining table or console table with a rectangular wooden top. The top, with metal hinges, can be opened...
Leather, Rattan, Wood
McGuire Long Leather Bound Rattan Glass-Top Cocktail Table
By McGuire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A classic John Elinor McGuire cocktail table with a long, rectangular form in honeyed brown Leather bound rattan, showcasing a glass top over wrapped corners. The frame supports a lo...
Rattan, Glass
1980s McGuire Beige Gold Herringbone Rattan Chairs, Set of 4
By McGuire
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning rattan dining chairs you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The Iconic chairs are a statement piece...
Leather, Upholstery, Rattan
Breathtaking McGuire Cane Sofa in the Style of Michael Taylor- Pair Available
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent sofa is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: meticulously professionally restored, expertly upholstered and completely inst...
Cane, Hardwood
McGuire Organic Modern Cerused Rattan Bamboo Drinks Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic rattan bamboo cocktail drink table or coffee table made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire. The table features an hourglass form of bundled rattan with ...
Rattan, Glass
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
McGuire Oak, Rattan and Rawhide Folding Table or Bench
By McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
The McGuire Double Pinch-Finger Table has a hinged top, so the table easily folds flat for storage. This innovative design, featuring a solid oak slat top and a rattan base bound wit...
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan, Oak
Set of Four McGuire Rattan Chinese Officials Hat Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic set of four rattan dining chairs made by McGuire. The chairs are made in the manner and style of a Chinese Ming officials hat chair crafted from rattan poles lashed together...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Classic Mid-Century Modernist, Regency Bamboo Dining Table by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modernist, Hollywood Regency dining table by McGuire of San Francisco. Beautiful bundle of wheat form constructed of bamboo, age appropriate wear. Top measures 25...
Bamboo
McGuire Caned Arm Chair by Barbara Barry, Rattan & Leather, USA
By Barbara Barry, McGuire
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Crafted from rattan, the chair is accented by meticulously hand-laced joint bindings at each joint—a patented McGuire hallmark that ensures both structural integrity and a rich, tact...
Leather, Rattan
McGuire Mackintosh Style Organic Modern Rattan Dining Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sculptural set of four gorgeous rattan dining armchairs made in the manner and style of McGuire and Mackintosh. The rattan frames have a lovely intentionally aged patina with a bleac...
Fabric, Rattan
A Set of Four Iconic McGuire Rattan Cracked Ice Chairs
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A set of four iconic McGuire Cracked Ice rattan dining chairs designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire in 1968. The design is famous for its rattan oval back that frames sma...
Leather, Cane, Rattan
$2,788 / item
Bamboo coffee table by Lyda Levi for McGuire, 1960s
By McGuire
Located in Milano, IT
Bamboo coffee table by Lyda Levi for McGuire, 1960s Spelendid coffee table with two glass shelves and bamboo frame. Chipped corner present in glass. Measurements 124x52 h42 cm
Bamboo, Glass
McGuire Wheat Sheaf Coffee Table, White Rattan & Glass, Mid-Century
By McGuire
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Radiating sculptural elegance and laid-back glamour, this white-painted McGuire “Wheat Sheaf” coffee table reinterprets a classic mid-century silhouette with light-reflective, coasta...
Rattan, Glass, Bamboo
Davis Allen Square Chair and Ottoman by McGuire
By Davis Allen, McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
This strikingly handsome Davis Allen design for McGuire of San Fransisco is the model RW-12A "Square Chair" and RW-51P ottoman. It is a cube chair executed in rattan and cane wicker ...
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
McGuire Mid Century Bamboo & Burled Laminate Side End Table
By McGuire
Located in Franklin Park, IL
McGuire mid century bamboo & burled laminate side end table Side table measures: 27 wide x 27 deep x 17.75 high All pieces of furnit...
Bamboo, Laminate
Thomas Pheasant for McGuire Organic Modern Club Chair & Ottoman
By Thomas Pheasant, McGuire
Located in Southampton, NJ
An impressive organic modern "Club Chair" with ottoman by Thomas Pheasant for McGuire with comfy silhouette & interesting textured deep Verdigris caste bronze Faux Bois frame...
Bronze
Small McGuire Bamboo Leather & Glass Side End Table
By McGuire
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic versatile McGuire side or end table having an organic modern bamboo and leather base measuring 15 x 15 with a 1.5" thick larger glass top.
Bamboo, Glass
Elegant Mid-Century Modern Console Table by Lyda Levi, Italy, 1970s
By McGuire
Located in Argelato, BO
Elegant and rare Console by Lyda Levi for McGuire, 1970s
Wood
Vintage Barbara Barry McGuire Rattan "Cambria" Armchair, Newly Upholstered
By McGuire
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Barbara Barry McGuire Rattan "Cambria" Armchair, Newly Upholstered Offered for sale is a vintage rattan Barbara Barry Cambria armchair from McGuire Furniture. The chair has ...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Classic McGuire Bamboo Armchair with Upholstered Seat
By McGuire
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Never goes out of style McGuire bamboo armchair having neutral upholstered seat. Arm height 26"
Upholstery, Bamboo
Elegant Restored Cerused Oak and Rattan Campaign Chest by McGuire, circa 1970
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent commode is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern McGuire Cane, 6 Piece Dining Set
By McGuire
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern McGuire cane - 6 piece dining set Mid-Century Modern original McGuire pink and white woven rattan armchairs with Classic McGuire white...
Fabric, Cane, Rattan, Glass
Pair of Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan Chairs W/ Floral Upholstery
By McGuire
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A pair of Barbara Barry for McGuire rattan arm chairs with cheery, floral upholstered seats. The chairs are stained a dark hue with an open c...
Rattan
Four McGuire Arm Chairs with White Washed Finish, Great Scale for Comfort Chic.
By McGuire
Located in Buchanan, MI
Four McGuire arm chairs with white washed finish, great scale for comfort. Upholstery in pristine condition. Would look good in a library, office or...
Rattan
McGuire Set of Four Armchairs
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
Another elegant design by Elinor and John McGuire, these armchairs are not only beautiful, but incredibly well built with McGuire's patented method using rawhide binding at the joint...
Leather, Cane, Rattan
Davis Allen Coffee Table by McGuire
By McGuire, Davis Allen
Located in Highland, IN
This handsome design by Davis Allen design for McGuire of San Fransisco was created to accompany the "Square" sofa and lounge chairs. It is executed in rattan and cane wicker with a ...
Cane, Rattan, Glass
American mid-century modern rattan and white wood coffee table by Mcguire, 1960s
By McGuire
Located in MIlano, IT
American mid-century modern rattan and white wood coffee table by Mcguire, 1960s Rectangular rattan coffee table. The top is made of white pai...
Rattan, Wood
McGuire Crackled Wood Console Table 93”
By McGuire
Located in West Palm Beach, US
McGuire Crackled Wood Console Table, Brass Plaque, 93” Console table by McGuire, marked with a brass McGuire plaque and stamped underside. Constructed of wood with a crackled pain...
Wood