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 Laura Kirar for McGuire Rattan Raffia King Benches
By Laura Kirar, McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish pair of lacquered rattan and raffia grass cloth benches or diminutive daybeds designed by Laura Kirar for McGuire. Known as ring benches they feature an oak frame with rattan clad borders and inset with raffia grasscloth...
Velvet, Raffia, Rattan
Linear Bench in Natural Wanut Series 72 by Stamford Modern
By Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
Inspired by Mid-Century Modern legend Edward Wormley, "The Linear Bench" embodies modern minimalism with clean lines and a sturdy metal stretcher. Explore...
Brass
Bronze and Leather Daybed or Bench by Nicos Zographos
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bronze and caramel color leather daybed or bench, designed by Nicos Zographos, American, circa 1960s. Retains warm original patina to the bronze.
Metal, Bronze
Cloud Day Bed/Bench by Naoto Fukasawa for B&B italia
By B&B Italia, Naoto Fukasawa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Cloud Day Bed/Bench by Naoto Fukasawa for B&B Italia - the perfect addition to any modern living space. This sleek and stylish piece of furniture is designed to provi...
Chrome
All Black Cowhide Fur Upholstery Custom Daybed Large Bench
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Stylish custom made all black cowhide upholstery sofa daybed.
Cowhide
Bodil Kjaer Bench
By Bodil Kjaer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Denmark, Bodil Kjaer bench in leather (Re-Edition).
Chrome
$8,500 / item
H 16.15 in W 86.62 in D 29.53 in
Axis Architectural Bench In Macassar And Velvet By Sidani Design
By Sidani Design
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This architectural bench features a monolithic composition with a rectilinear platform and offset leg structure. The frame is constructed from engineered hardwood panels finished in ...
Velvet, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Painted Bench
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is an absolutely stunning early 19th century rococo Swedish bench. This beautiful piece has been dry scrapped to the original paint. It features a white color palette throughout...
Wood, Paint
Contemporary Goddard Bench in Gray Leather with Steel Legs
By Michael Felix
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Smaller than a sofa, but bigger than a bench, the Goddard daybed functions as both when needed. It takes its form from 1950s French Industrial design, maintaining a sense of lightnes...
Metal
$2,190 / item
H 33.08 in W 74.81 in D 19.3 in
State Bench Settee with Lacquered Metal and Multicolor Fabric New
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Elegant and light piece that is comfortable and versatile, upholstery in velvet (several options) and metal or brass/copper structure. Made to Order. For sales with delivery addres...
Metal
Pair of Modern Chrome Stainless Steel Benches
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gorgeous and substantial pair of mirrored stainless steel benches, with floating frames, one with an attached seamless, white laminate table. Sofas are incredibly well made, easily w...
Stainless Steel
Pierre Jeanneret Bench
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An exceptional solid Sissoo bench by Pierre Jeanneret for the Chandigarh Project, circa 1956. This bench is a sturdy example of an uncommon form in...
Wood
Oversize Vintage Modern Bench or Daybed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This simple yet stylish oversized daybed stretches to seven feet long and makes a comfortable seating addition to any home or business. This vintage m...
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
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Chaise Longue Daybed
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome rattan and oak chaise longue or daybed made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire. The daybed has a gracefully curved back with an open fretwork design. The rattan is reinforced with leather rawhide laces and an oak frame. The bed has a large seat cushion and throw pillows in a vintage fabric that is slightly faded, but still shows well with a soft patina. Solid joinery with a handsome dark finish from an estate in Napa Valley, CA. Vintage seat covers...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan, Oak
1980s McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Daybed or Sofas, a Pair
By McGuire
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer an organic, modern-looking set of two daybeds or sofas designed by John McGuire, circa the 1990s. McGuire designs mix incredible materials, forms, and texture to create both chic and timeless furniture; moreover, his brand has an innate sense of everything that defines California casual...
Rattan, Oak
Pair of McGuire Rattan Wicker Case Sofa Settee Daybeds
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing pair of organic modern coastal style case sofas, settees, or daybeds by McGuire. These rare and labor intensive sofas were only made for a short time by McGuire and feature a...
Wicker, Rattan, Oak
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Target Sofa or Daybed
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire rattan sofa or daybed made in the California organic modern style. The sofa features a target motif design back and sides designed ...
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
Sold
H 23.5 in W 80 in D 33 in
McGuire Daybed, Mid-Century Organic Modern Rattan Leather Chaise Lounge
By Ficks Reed, John McGuire, John Wisner, McGuire, John and Elinor 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
Pair of Matching McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Daybed Sofas
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive pair of matching bamboo rattan daybeds or sofas hand-crafted in the California organic modern style by McGuire. The pair feature a sturdy rattan and oak frame lashed toge...
Bamboo, Rattan, Oak
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Wicker Daybed
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare, genuine McGuire rattan wicker daybed made in the California organic modern style. The bed features a rattan frame enclosed with woven wicker and an open fretwork design on each...
Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Daybed Sofa
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sculptural organic modern daybed or sofa made by McGuire. Constructed from bamboo rattan poles with leather rawhide laces by California craftsmen. The frame features an open design w...
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan and Wicker Daybed Sofa
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary organic modern rattan and wicker daybed sofa made by McGuire. Features a large wood woven rattan and wicker frame decorated with a braided border. The sides and back have an open fretwork geometric pattern inset. The sofa is topped with thick seat and back cushions accented by a bolster pillow on each side. The low profile frame has a 26 inch arm and retains the McGuire maker's mark on the bottom. The blue and white geometric pattern fabric is in very good condition. Part of a large rare set of McGuire wicker...
Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Bassam Fellows Queen Bench Daybed for McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chic slatted daybed bench designed by Craig Bassam and Scott Fellows for a limited edition series for McGuire. Handcrafted of bleached reclaimed wood and r...
Hide, Rattan, Wood
Asian Style Bamboo Daybed by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive bamboo daybed constructed in the Chinese style by McGuire of San Francisco, CA. Featuring an open fretwork bamboo back. Reinforced with rawhide strapping throughout. The ...
Bamboo, Leather, Wood