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.
Pair of McGuire Garden Chaise Longue Bench Daybeds
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent pair of patio and garden chaise longue benches or daybeds crafted from all-weather resin wicker by McGuire. The daybeds feature a steel frame covered with white wicker and to...
Steel
McGuire Rattan Target Design Glass-Top Occasional Table
By McGuire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine John Elinor McGuire occasional table with a square glass top over a honeyed brown Leather bound rattan frame with X motif sides accented with target designs with concentric gilt...
Rattan, Glass, Leather
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
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
$3,800 / item
McGuire Woven Resin Wicker Garden Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing woven resin wicker patio and garden dining table designed by Thomas Pheasant for McGuire. The large round table has a 1.5 inch thick top supported by a square base with a sub...
Steel
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
$1,800 / item
H 22.38 in W 68.89 in D 27.55 in
Vintage French Style Wrought Iron Chaise Longue with Cushion
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage French style wrought iron chaise longue with cushion The wrought iron patio or porch garden chaise longue has two wheels for easy ...
Wrought Iron
Vladamir Kagan "Dune" Chaise/ Daybed by Barlow Tyrie
By Vladimir Kagan, Barlow Tyrie
Located in Highland, IN
Kagan's design for Barlow Tyrie is a perfect example of his design aesthetic. The undulating, organic form that references a nautilus envelopes the sitter and provides a small table surface. The nesting ottoman...
Upholstery, Wicker
$1,895 / set
H 33 in W 28 in D 23 in
Midcentury Outdoor Dining Iron 8 Piece Set John Salterini Large Glass Top Table
By John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 8 piece set consisting of a large dining table from the early 50s, heavy decorative iron with a large beveled glass top. 6 armchairs from the late...
Steel, Iron
Cast Aluminum with Obscure Glass Top Cocktail Table by Molla of Italy
By Molla
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous cast aluminum with obscure glass top cocktail table by Molla of Italy. Good size, which will work with our settees listed. Great castings on th...
Aluminum
$2,300 / set
H 36 in W 16.5 in D 18 in
Set of Four 1950s Mid-Century Modern Wrought Iron Dining Chairs
By Salterini
Located in Stamford, CT
This set of Mid-Century Modern wrought iron dining chairs has the look and high quality construction of Salterini but are made by the Woodard group. Woodard was a high end company in...
Wrought Iron
$1,395 / set
H 29.25 in W 43.5 in D 43.5 in
Russell Woodard Spun Fiberglass Mid-Century Modern Patio Dining Set - 5 Pc Set
By Russell Woodard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Russell Woodard White Spun Fiberglass Mid-Century Modern Patio Dining Set - 5 Pc Set. Item features a round pedestal base dining table (does not include glass top), (4) pedestal base dining chairs...
Fiberglass
Sherrill English Country Club Chair & Ottoman
By Sherrill Furniture Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Sherrill English Country Club Chair...
Cotton
Wrought Iron Mid Century Garden Patio Set Five Pieces
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Five-piece wrought iron dining / patio set. One glass-topped table and four chairs. Painted green. Table measures: 42.5 in across.- 29-3/8 in high. - 29- 11/16 in high. With glass t...
Wrought Iron
$920 / item
H 43.3 in W 23.62 in D 23.62 in
Round High Top Table with Steel Base and Werzalit Top, Cocktail Table
Located in Miami, FL
Round high top table with steel base and werzalit top. Cocktail table Ideal for hospitality.
Iron
$750Sale Price|86% Off
H 29 in Dm 48 in
Round Wicker and Rattan Woven Outdoor Patio Dining Set with Glass Top, Seats 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful woven wicker, rattan, and bamboo dining set. Created from bentwood, this patio set includes four chairs and a pedestal table base with a round glass top. Each chair feature...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Glass, Wood
McGuire Organic Modern Cerused Rattan Ladder Back Chair
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish rattan ladder back style chair made in the California coastal manner by McGuire San Francisco, CA. The chair features thick rattan poles lashed together with leather rawhide ...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Lacquered Rattan Lounge Chair
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Oversized organic modern lounge chair designed by Elinor McGuire in the California coastal style. The chair features a large horseshoe shaped round back with a thick pole rattan fram...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Pair Of Elinor McGuire Rattan Glass-Top End Tables
By McGuire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Exceptional pair of John Elinor McGuire end tables in light honeyed brown bamboo/rattan, sporting square forms with cut-corner glass tops over leather wrapped frames with decorative ...
Rattan, Glass, Leather
Set of Eight McGuire Resin Wicker Garden Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Graceful set of eight patio and garden dining chairs designed by Thomas Pheasant for McGuire. The chairs feature a steel frame with gently curved sides covered with woven resin all-weather wicker in a stylish off white tone. The wicker is sturdy and strong and the chairs have excellent joinery and craftsmanship. Each seat seat is topped with an all weather McGuire cushion...
Steel
Sold
H 48.43 in Dm 15.36 in
Pair of rush vase holders with leather bindings, McGuire San Francisco 1970
By McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
Pair of rush vase holders with leather bindings, McGuire San Francisco 1970 Product details Single pot holder dimensions: 39 D x 123 H cm / 39 D x 108 H cm Production: McGuire San Fr...
Leather, Rush
McGuire Rattan Glass-Top Circular Organic Modern Occasional Table
By McGuire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Exceptional McGuire occasional table with a circular glass top over a decorative woven center with banded rings around the perimeter. Raised over four gently curved Leather bound rat...
Rattan, Glass, Leather
McGuire San Francisco Swivel End Tables, Pair
By McGuire
Located in Southampton, NJ
A pair of 1960's Oak & Bamboo two tier swivel side tables by Mcguire San Francisco with refinished tops & original Mcguire Brass tags.
Rattan, Oak
McGuire Round Rattan Oak Patio Garden Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive McGuire patio and garden dining table featuring an oak pedestal weighted base. The round top and base have a rich split rattan veneer on the exposed edges. The top featur...
Iron
McGuire Organic Modern Double Caned Rattan Pair of Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Southampton, NJ
A matching pair of organic modern McGuire of San Francisco double caned Rattan chairs. Features include custom sunflower goldenrod finish & raw silk cushi...
Brass
McGuire Organic Modern Double Caned Rattan Sofa Settee Window Bench
By McGuire
Located in Southampton, NJ
Organic modern McGuire of San Francisco double caned rattan sofa settee or window bench. Features include custom sunflower goldenrod finish & raw silk cushions, bamboo rattan pole fr...
Brass
Stunning Basket Weave Rattan / Reed Sofa and Chairs by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning 3 piece matching set.. Sofa and 2 chairs.. Art Deco Style,Made by Mcguire ,San Francisco. Superior quality and construction.. retain McGuire...
Wicker, Rattan, Reed
McGuire California Modern Octagonal Bamboo Rattan Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire bamboo rattan dining table made in the California organic modern style designed by John McGuire. Crafted from an iro...
Iron
McGuire California Modern Hexagonal Bamboo Round Glass Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Bespoke bamboo rattan dining table made in the California organic modern style by McGuire. The table features a large hexagonal base topped with a very thick round pane of 66 inch wi...
Iron
Set of Four McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Lounge Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Attractive set of four genuine McGuire bamboo rattan lounge chairs, club chairs, or patio and garden chairs. Made in the California organic modern style. The chairs feature a decorat...
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan