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.
Barbara Barry McGuire Rattan Oak Raffia Sideboard Buffet
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional sideboard server or buffet designed by Barbara Barry for Baker/McGuire. The sideboard features a large oak case with rattan borders and splayed legs. The case has a woven...
Brass
19th Century French Oak Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
French oak sideboard buffet featuring three central drawers flanked by two paneled doors with inviting deep patina. Original French brass hinges and pulls remain; locks may operate ...
Oak
Modern Black Cerused Oak Sideboard Buffet
Located in North York, ON
Modern black cerused oak sideboard buffet. Featuring a dark ebonized black ceruse finish with contrasting white grains. Doors open with sleek pus...
Oak
$6,800
H 34 in W 84 in D 22 in
Barbara Barry for Baker Modern Fluted Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza
By Barbara Barry, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Barbara Barry for Baker fluted sideboard credenza. This lovely modern cabinet features a wonderful fluted exterior design. The fluted design combine...
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Bleached Oak Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
Mid-19th-century French bleached oak sideboard with a three-drawer over two-door configuration. The drawers open with large, decorative drop-handle pulls that add strong visual chara...
Oak
$3,500
H 33.75 in W 80.25 in D 22 in
Modern Barbara Barry for Baker / McGuire Rattan, Oak & Raffia Sideboard Buffet
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
Located in Chino Hills, CA
A refined and architecturally elegant sideboard / buffet designed by Barbara Barry for Baker / McGuire, exemplifying the designer’s signature organic modern aesthetic. This substanti...
Raffia, Rattan, Oak
English Carved Oak Sideboard Buffet with Liquor Tray
Located in Evergreen, CO
Crafted from beautiful European oak and finished with a dark stain, this Late Victorian sideboard from England showcases elaborate carvings and generous storage. The sideboard features a beveled, breakfront top with modified egg and dart trim and canted corners over a wide drawer flanked by smaller drawers. Beneath the drawers, the sideboard has two doors with an open niche between them. The right door opens to a single shelf, and the left door opens to a pull-out liquor tray...
Oak
$4,700
H 85 in W 56 in D 24 in
Antique French Buffet Server Sideboard Buffet Barley Twist Honey Oak 3-Tier 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French Honey Oak 3-Tier Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet Bookcase~~ c. 1870s This is only one of multiple exquisite pieces recently received from our European shipper~~wonderful hand-carved oak pieces in the highly sought after Black Forest, Gothic, Renaissance Revival and Barley Twist styles~~19th century and in unbelievably spectacular condition! If you're looking for that special and unique "statement piece" for your home or office, please view these items in our inventory! HIGHLY CARVED lion's mask crown~~exquisite corbel supports with carved backsplash, and carved edge shelves Three tiers~~perfect for displaying your favorite Majolica, Imari, Staffordshire or other antique collectibles Two hand cut, dovetailed drawers with carved vine pulls over lower double door cabinet~~original key included~~ cartouche carved center and door medallions...
Oak
Modern Cerused Oak Sideboard Buffet in Natural Wash Finish
Located in North York, ON
Modern Cerused oak sideboard Buffet in natural wash finish. Featuring natural whitewash ceruse finish with contrasting white grains. Doors open with slee...
Oak
A Belgian Oak Bowfront Buffet / Sideboard, C. 1900.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The deep, bowfront case is constructed with two carved, paneled doors, flanked carved style, all resting on a molded base with short plain feet. This piece has wonderful carved embel...
Oak
Baker Furniture Welsh Oak Sideboard Buffet or Bar Cabinet
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Welsh, English Traditional, or Georgian sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1970s Carved oak, with original brass hardware. Measure...
Brass
$2,995
H 36.75 in W 48.13 in D 21.13 in
Stickley Brothers Style Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Sideboard Buffet
By Stickley Brothers
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet In the manner of Stickley Brothers Retailed by H.S. Barney Co. USA, Circa 1900 Beautif...
Copper
Guillerme & Chambron Oak and Ceramic Buffet Sideboard, 1960s
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in New York, NY
This sideboard by Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison, France, 1960s, is a robust piece that speaks to the duo’s sense of material clarity and proportion. Constructed in solid ...
Ceramic, Oak
McGuire Oak Rattan Sideboard Buffet with Serving Trays
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare mid-century modern oak and rattan sideboard or buffet made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. The sideboard features an oak case with radiant, r...
Brass
Sold
H 29.73 in W 72.45 in D 18.12 in
Usa Mid-Century Rattan Sideboard by Levi for McGuire Company San Francisco, 1970
By McGuire
Located in MIlano, IT
Usa mid-century Rattan sideboard by Levi for McGuire Company San Francisco, 1970s Sideboard with rectangular top in green rattan. The structure is made u...
Rattan