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 Cerused Twisted Rattan Settee and Lounge Chair
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of rattan seating hand-crafted in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. The set features whimsical twisted pole rattan that gracefully curves aro...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan, Oak
$4,495 / set
H 35 in W 31 in D 35 in
Vintage McGuire Dark Rattan Leopard Floral Velvet Cushions Lounge Chairs- A Pair
By McGuire
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a vintage pair of McGuire lounge chairs, circa the 1970s. Crafted with McGuire’s signature rattan frames, the chairs feature bold, rounded lines with dis...
Velvet, Rattan, Hardwood
Vintage Old Hickory Hoop Settee with Woven Rattan Back and Seat
By Hickory Manufacturing Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Old Hickory hoop settee from the mid 20th century with woven rattan back and seat. This mid-20th-century Old Hickory hoop settee is a rustic masterpiece that seamlessly blends nat...
Wood, Rattan
Elinor McGuire M-86 Rattan & Cane Chair
By McGuire, John and Elinor 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
$6,450 / set
H 36 in W 30 in D 32 in
1980s McGuire Twisted Rattan Green Beige Chairs and Ottoman, Set of 3
By McGuire
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1980s with this exquisite twisted McGuire rattan set in green upholstery. The ultra rare set exudes an air of luxury and refine...
Upholstery, Rattan
$7,179
H 38.98 in W 44.89 in D 20.28 in
Vienna Secessionist Bentwood and Rattan Settee by Thonet Brothers
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare Vienna Secessionist bentwood and rattan settee by Thonet Brothers. The settee can be found in old Thonet catalogues and based on the paper label underneath, the seat was manufac...
Rattan, Bentwood
McGuire A-1 Rattan Lounge Chair
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
This important early design by Elinor McGuire dates from the 1950s. It's from their "Style 1" series, and was offered as this model A-1 lounge chair, and also a two or three seat sof...
Leather, Upholstery, Rattan
Woven Rattan Antique Settee
Located in Yonkers, NY
A rustic Javanese teak wood three-seat settee from the Turn of the Century with inset woven rattan seat and back. Infusing an air of rustic charm and understated elegance, this Javan...
Rattan, Teak
$5,295 / set
H 34 in W 70 in D 34 in
1970s Fine Rattan Green White Stripes McGuire Style Settee Sofa, set of 2
By McGuire
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, Organic McGuire style settees you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful set is...
Upholstery, Rattan, Wood
$3,000 / set
H 32 in W 33.5 in D 32 in
McGuire, Bamboo, Rattan, Fabric, Large Lounge Chairs, USA, 1960s
By McGuire
Located in Stamford, CT
McGuire, Bamboo, Rattan, Gilt Metal, Fabric, Large Lounge Chairs, USA, 1960s Pair of organic modern oversized lounge chairs produced in small numbers by McGuire in the middle of the...
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
American Designer, Settee, Bamboo, Rattan, Iron, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo, rattan and black-lacquered iron settee or bench designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 28.75"H x 41.25"...
Iron
Vintage Woven Rattan Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage woven rattan settee captures the essence of coastal elegance and bohemian flair, blending organic textures with a gracefully curved, sculptural silhouette. Its airy, ope...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$6,495 / set
H 30.25 in W 32.5 in D 28 in
Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan Fretwork Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Barbara Barry, McGuire
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
McGuire Organic Modern Caned Rattan Settee Loveseat
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire sofa settee or loveseat made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire. The settee features a thick rattan pole frame with double caned sides and back...
Leather, Fabric, Cane, Rattan
McGuire Midcentury Organic Modern Rattan Cane Settee
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Classic mid-century organic modern rattan sofa settee made in the coastal style by McGuire. The sofa features a thick pole rattan frame with gracefu...
Leather, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Target Sofa Settee
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire rattan sofa or settee made in the California coastal organic modern style. The settee features an iconic target motif design on th...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
McGuire Antalya Rattan Laced Rawhide Leather Sofa Settee
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare, organic modern McGuire Antalya sofa or settee featuring a laced rawhide leather covered frame. Model number MCLC10 is crafted from thick rattan p...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Cathedral Sofa or Daybed
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional McGuire rattan pole sofa or daybed made in the California organic modern style. The three-seat sofa features a large rattan frame having a gothic lancet arch cathedral de...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Sold
H 28 in W 74 in D 32 in
McGuire Late 20th Modern Rattan Woven Rawhide Green Chenille Cushion Sofa Settee
By McGuire
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage modern rattan & woven rawhide sofa or settee with loose green chenille cushions by McGuire. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, one seat cushion has a spot at the seam where the fabric has separated a bit, and the black under-threads are showing. It is not a hole. Also, there is some fading on the chenille from age and use. Please see photos and zoom in for details as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 20th Century. Get ready to have your friends and family turning GREEN with ENVY when they lay their eyes upon your vintage modern rattan & woven rawhide sofa by McGuire!!! It is simply GORGEOUS!!! The frame of this sofa or settee is comprised of double rattan bars across the front, rattan legs wrapped with rawhide straps, and the sides and back are double layered interlaced rawhide. It’s a signature combination used by McGuire, and it is FABULOUS! Six loose back and seat cushions wearing a lovely green chenille fabric rest in the frame which is lined with the same green chenille fabric. It is comfortable and STUNNING!! This is just the settee you need to add a splash of Modern style to your sunroom or lanai, but it would be equally as fabulous in your casual living room. This rattan and laced rawhide sofa by McGuire is…absolutely…. FIRE!!! Magnificent presentation, phenomenal comfort, and a well-known McGuire quality!! McGuire Furniture, whose name is synonymous with style and elegance, was founded in 1948 in San Francisco by husband-and-wife team John and Elinor McGuire. The history of McGuire is best told by a quote from Town and Country magazine...
Leather, Chenille, Rattan
McGuire Small Sofa or Settee
By McGuire
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a wonderful example of a McGuire small sofa or love seat. The c. 1970-1980 bamboo frame is in overall very good condition, retaining its original su...
Leather, Linen, Upholstery, Bamboo
McGuire Bamboo Rattan Organic Modern Gondola Settee Bench
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire organic modern Gondola settee or bench crafted from bamboo rattan poles by McGuire. Designed by Elinor McGuire and inspired by Venetian gondolas in Italy. The frame h...
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Wood, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Caned Rattan Bench Settee
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Lacquered organic modern style rattan bench seat or settee by McGuire. The small bench features a rattan frame that has been lacquered with a caned bac...
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Caned Rattan Sofa Settee
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire sofa settee made in the California organic modern style. The sofa features a bamboo rattan pole frame with double caned walls. Lashed tog...
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Down, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Cane Settee
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire settee made in the California organic modern style. Features a bamboo rattan pole frame with double caned sides. The exposed joints are lashed together with leather r...
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Settee Loveseat
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire bamboo rattan settee or loveseat made in the California organic modern style. Features thick rattan poles lashed together with leather rawhide laces and topped with w...
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan