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.
McGuire Caned Arm Chair by Barbara Barry, Rattan & Leather, USA
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
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
Set of Ten Bill Sofield McGuire Danish Cord Cocoon Dining Chairs
By McGuire, William Sofield
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A sublime set of ten rare "Cocoon" dining chairs designed by William Sofield for McGuire. The set is comprised of eight side chairs and two host armchairs. Each chair is crafted from...
Leather, Cord, Walnut
Mid-Century McGuire Bamboo and Fabric Lounge Chair, 1970s
By McGuire
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage upholstered arm chair with leather wrapped bamboo frame by McGuire, 1970s.
Fabric, Bamboo
$1,650Sale Price|40% Off
Caned Lounge Chair by Barbara Barry for McGuire
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice caned lounge chair by Barbara Barry for McGuire Furniture of San Francisco, circa 2006. The chair features a field of the caning ...
Rattan
Pair Thomas Pheasant McGuire Rattan Lounge Chairs + Ottoman
By Thomas Pheasant, McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of large lounge chairs or club chairs designed in the California coastal organic modern taste by Thomas Pheasant for McGuire. The set includes 2 lounge chairs and 1 matchin...
Bronze
Warm Set of 8 Vintage Honey Bamboo and Caramel Leather Dining Chairs by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fabulous set of eight (8) beautifully aged Organic dining chairs by McGuire, circa 1980. Stout expertly crafted rattan construction accented with handsome caramel woven leather sea...
Rattan, Leather, Bamboo
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
Pair of McGuire Rattan Leona Loop Back Dining Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant set of three McGuire rattan loop back dining armchairs made in the California coastal organic modern style. One of McGuire's most iconic and beautiful chair styles designed b...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Set of Eight Thomas Pheasant for McGuire Rattan Dining Chairs
By Thomas Pheasant, McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous set of eight wicker rattan dining chairs designed by Thomas Pheasant for McGuire. The chairs feature a distinctive oak frame embellished with fine woven wicker and topped wi...
Leather, Wicker, Rattan, Oak
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
$2,000 / set
Pair of McGuire Midcentury Oak Demilune Stools
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of McGuire oak stools or side tables crafted from solid oak. Very well-made solid construction stools featuring a curved frame. When arranged side by side the stools form a...
Oak
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
Thomas Pheasant for McGuire Organic Modern Club Chair & Ottoman
By McGuire, Thomas Pheasant
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
Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan Fretwork Lounge Chairs - Pair
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan Fretwork Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 32.5 wide x 28 deep x 30.25 high, with a seat height of 19.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 30...
Upholstery, Rattan
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
Davis Allen Square Chair and Ottoman by McGuire
By McGuire, Davis Allen
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 Set of Four Armchairs
By McGuire, John and Elinor 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
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