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.
Late 20th Century Pair of McGuire "Target" Back Arm Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 20th century pair of McGuire “Target” back arm chairs, San Francisco. Stylish design with the distinctive, ever popular “Target” back design. ...
Leather, Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan, Wood
Set of 8 Vintage McGuire Bamboo Dining Armchairs, San Francisco
By McGuire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and highly desirable group of vintage bamboo dining armchairs by McGuire Furniture, designed and manufactured in San Francisco, California. We currently have a total of 10 mat...
Fabric, Bamboo
Lyda Levi McGuire director's chair in wood and leather with brass details, 1970.
By McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
Lyda Levi McGuire director's chair in wood and leather with brass details, 1970. Extra large version (the chair is 10 cm wider than the classic direc...
Brass
Set of Four McGuire Laced Rawhide Rattan Dining Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine set of four rare McGuire Antalya directors style dining armchairs featuring lattice style laced rawhide woven leather seats and back. Model #MC...
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
Pair of McGuire Cerused Rattan Mohair Library Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive pair of rattan library armchairs made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. The chairs feature a pole rattan frame with a custom ordered cer...
Leather, Mohair, Rattan
McGuire Hollywood Regency Organic Modern Bamboo and Cane Armchairs, Pair
By McGuire
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Hollywood Regency Organic Modern bamboo and cane armchairs or dining captain chairs By McGuire of San Francisco USA, Circa 1980s Measures: 22.75"W x 23"D x 37"H...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane
Pair of McGuire Bamboo Butterfly Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Raleigh, NC
Pair of McGuire bamboo butterfly chairs featuring reddish tone with washed finish. The distinctive butterfly profile creates wide, angled backs that spread outward from narrow seat ...
Bamboo
Pair of armchairs, McGuire San Francisco 1970
By McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
Pair of armchairs McGuire San Francisco 1970 Product details Made of wood and fabric, with leather bindings. Dimensions: 63w x 78h x72d cm Production: McGuire, San Francisco 1970.
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Elinor McGuire M-86 Rattan & Cane Chair
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
Elinor 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...
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
McGuire, Rattan And Bamboo Set of 4 Armchairs With Orange Cushions
By McGuire
Located in IT
Set of 4 armchairs with bamboo frame and orange silk cushions. The armchairs are all signed Mc Guire, have rattan backs with a very contemporary Viennese weave detail, and have bee...
Bamboo, Rattan
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
Stunning, Unusual Pair Rattan/ Bamboo Arm Chairs, Attrib to Danny Ho Fong
By Danny Ho Fong, McGuire
Located in Buffalo, NY
Matching Pair Curved High Back Stylized Rattan Arm Chairs, Attributed to Danny Ho Fong (Designer) Made by Mcguire,, seats in need of restoration.. Hand Delivery avail to New York C...
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
Barbara Barry for McGuire Caned Dining Desk Arm Chair
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
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 ...
Bentwood, Cane
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Leather Library Armchair
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome McGuire library armchair made in the organic modern style. The armchair features a pole rattan construction with leather rawhide laces with a rich dark stain finish. The gen...
Leather, Rattan
McGuire Hollywood Regency Organic Modern Bamboo and Cane Armchairs, Set of Four
By McGuire
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Hollywood Regency Organic Modern bamboo and cane armchairs By McGuire of San Francisco USA, Circa 1980s Measures: 22.75"W x 23"D x 37"H. Seat height: 19.25"...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Barrel-Back Dining Chair
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A beautifully crafted well-preserved McGuire barrel back dining chair, desk chair, games chair, or arm chair featuring one of McGuire's most ...
Brass
Vintage McGuire Rattan Lounge Armchair, San Francisco, California
By McGuire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage rattan armchair was designed and manufactured in San Francisco, California by McGuire, one of the most respected names in high-end rattan and organic modern furniture. T...
Fabric, 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
American modern armchairs by Lyda Levi for McGuire Company, 1970s
By McGuire
Located in MIlano, IT
American modern armchairs by Lyda Levi for McGuire Company, 1970s Pair of armchairs with padded seat and back cushions upholstered in geometric-patterned fabric. The frame, legs, and...
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan and Cane Back Armchair
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A sinuous rattan framed armchair featuring a woven honeycomb cane back crafted in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire. The chair has a gracefully curved pole ratta...
Leather, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Set of Four McGuire Woven Rawhide Rattan Dining Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare set of four woven leather rawhide and rattan dining armchairs from McGuire's Antalya collection. Hand-crafted in the coastal California modern organic style featuring a thick rattan pole frame covered with a geometric pattern of woven lattice leather rawhide laces. The leather and rattan have a natural warm pecan light...
Leather, Rattan
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
Pair of Laced Rawhide Lounge Chairs form the Antalya Collection by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice pair of laced rawhide lounge chairs form the "Antalya Collection" by McGuire Furniture of San Francisco, circa 2010s. The Antalya lounge chair is one of the most iconic pieces o...
Upholstery, Resin
Elinor McGuire M-71 Occasional Chair
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
Elinor McGuire designed this model M-71 occasional chair for McGuire of San Fransisco, the company she started with her husband John. McGuire furniture is made to last for generation...
Leather, Rattan
McGuire Pair of Arm Lounge Dining Chairs, Custom Finish
By McGuire
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of McGuire Rattan arm chairs. 3 pairs available. Note the beautiful custom finish and embroider upholstery.
Upholstery, Rattan
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
Pair Orange McGuire Teak Portico Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Houston, TX
Originally designed by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy for McGuire of San Francisco, the Portico chair takes a modern approach while saluting a traditional aesthetic. Each solid teak chair fame ...
Velvet, Teak
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
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
Four McGuire Arm Chairs with White Washed Finish, Great Scale for Comfort
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
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