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.
$4,320Sale Price|20% Off
Dark Rattan and White Boucle Daybed by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1970’s dark stain rattan bamboo with rawhide and white boucle daybed by McGuire Furniture. The frame is in original condition, the cushions h...
Hide, Bouclé, Bamboo
Vintage Coastal McGuire Woven Rattan Chaise Lounge
By McGuire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Indulge in unparalleled relaxation and iconic design with this vintage McGuire Woven Rattan Chaise Lounge, a true embodiment of timeless coastal elegance. Meticulously handcrafted, t...
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan
Vintage Bamboo & Rattan Chaise Lounge
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage bamboo and rattan chaise lounge/divan. Good, sturdy condition with some wear due to normal age and use. No cushions included.
Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage Rattan and Green Velvet Chaise
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Rattan and Green Velvet Chaise Mid-Century Modern Overall Dimensions: 73"L x 26"D x 39"H
Velvet, Rattan
Upholstered Daybed Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
Graceful and inviting, the recamier chaise with arched back and rolled arm. The fainting couch is upholstered but it does show some ware. Although made in the Victorian period, it ...
Upholstery
Post Modern Chaise Lounge Newly Upholstered in Ivory White Bouclé
By Weiman Preview Furniture, Directional, Preview
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Float away from the worries of the day in this luxurious post modern chaise lounge newly professionally upholstered in super soft ivory white bouclé. Sculptural form exudes a sophisticated look that's gentle and inviting. Ivory white bouclé fabric's texture is breathable and ventilates well. Cozy in winter and cool in summer. Enveloping padded comfort with a thick seat cushion layered over a descending pedestal base. So sexy from all sides, this chaise lounge is beautiful enough to float in a room. Modern. Fresh. Reminiscent of Vladimir Kagan, Milo Baughman and Adrian Pearsall's iconic amorphous designs. Nestle in with your favorite blanket and read for hours, nap, binge watch your favorite series, or shop 1stDibs on your electronic device...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$1,800
H 33.86 in W 30.32 in D 59.85 in
Vintage IKEA Rattan / Wicker “Karlskrona” Chaise Lounge / Lounge Chair
By Carl Öjerstam
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rattan Chaise Lounge from the old Ikea - back when furniture was really made of good materials that could last for many years. Karlskrona is from the 1990s and has a lovely seat com...
Wicker, Rattan
$10,822 / item
H 21.66 in W 76.78 in D 37.41 in
Mid-Century Modern Minho Daybed, Wool Bouclé, Oak Root, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Minho Daybed, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Minho daybed is a modern reinterpretati...
Stone, Onyx, Marble
$11,423 / item
H 23.63 in W 88.59 in D 37.41 in
Mid-Century Modern Conchula Daybed, Beige Bouclé, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Conchula Daybed, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Conchula daybed is a room-defining furniture piece, distinguished by its eye-catching silhouette. Designed to provide ultimate comfort for moments of relaxation, Conchula seamlessly combines timeless craftsmanship with modern sophistication. Whether paired with the Conchula curved sofa or lounge chair, this daybed enhances any contemporary interior, elevating the space with its refined presence. Designed by Rute Martins, Greenapple's Creative Director. The Conchula Daybed can be customized in terms of dimensions, materials and finishes. The Conchula Daybed was featured in Greenapple’s interior projects, including a Mountain Chalet in Le Grand-Bornand, France, and a Private Villa in Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal. For U.S. clients, we can handle all customs clearance, cover duties, and offer white-glove service as well upon request. The Conchula chaise...
Brass
$10,320 / item
+ 7 moreH 11.75 in W 76.38 in D 33 in
Daybed in Walnut and Leather Designed by Craig Bassam
By BassamFellows
Located in Ridgefield, CT
For many who’ve encountered it or been lucky enough to recline upon it, the BassamFellows Daybed is more than a piece of furniture - it’s an obsession. While a sofa is made to accomm...
Leather, Wood
A French rattan convertible chaise lounge, C. 1900.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This delightful and versatile armchair has a shaped crest over a straight adjustable back, and a retractable foot stool / ottoman. This form is also referred to as a steamer chair fr...
Rattan
$1,797
H 33.86 in W 30.32 in D 58.27 in
Vintage IKEA Karlskrona Wicker Rattan Chaise Lounge Chair by Karl Malmwall 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Västra Frölunda, SE
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern style chaise longue, Karlskrona, designed by Karl Malmwall for IKEA, in the 1990s. Handmade in wicker and rattan, with a soft neck pillow in cream white...
Wicker, Rattan
$910Sale Price|35% Off
H 34 in W 58 in D 30.5 in
Vintage IKEA Rattan Wicker “Karlskrona” Chaise Lounge Chair
By IKEA, Carl Öjerstam
Located in Toronto, ON
Vintage IKEA 'Karlskrona' Wicker Rattan Chaise Lounge Chair by Carl Öjerstam made in the 1990s. This highly sought after chaise lounge is made in woven wicker, it features a headrest...
Wicker, Rattan
1970s Rattan Blue Chinoiserie Style Chaise Lounge
By Bielecky Brothers
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1970s with this exquisite rattan chaise lounge. The ultra rare chaise exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding desig...
Upholstery, Rattan
Sold
H 23.5 in W 80 in D 33 in
McGuire Daybed, Mid-Century Organic Modern Rattan Leather Chaise Lounge
By John McGuire, Ficks Reed, John and Elinor McGuire, John Wisner, McGuire
Located in Decatur, GA
Vintage mid-century bamboo rattan daybed chaise lounge by McGuire, San Francisco circa 1965. Hand-crafted in the California organic modern style - this piece features a sturdy rattan...
Leather, Chenille, Bamboo, Rattan
Elinor McGuire "Giant Chaise"
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
This large and dramatic Model RW-32X chaise by Elinor McGuire for McGuire of San Fransisco is as comfortable as it is a strong statement piece in any room. The undulating, organic fo...
Wicker, Rattan