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.
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Square Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire bamboo rattan dining table made in the California organic modern style. The table features a rare, bespoke glazed fi...
Iron
Round Wheat Bamboo Sheaf Base Coffee Table Mid-Century Modern McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern white wash finish bamboo sheaf base coffee table by McGuire.
Bamboo
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Hexagonal Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing genuine McGuire organic modern bamboo rattan dining table or center table featuring a hexagonal base. Genuine McGuire, not a reproduction with an iron frame painted golden gate orange...
Iron
Elegant Restored Vintage Circular Dining Table by McGuire - 44" Diameter Base
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional circular dining or center table by McGuire, circa 1990. The table base is 44 inches in diameter. Stout, heavy steel frame construction veneered in bamboo; leather wra...
Steel
Organic Vintage Bamboo Dining Table Sheaf of Wheat Mc Guire c 1970
By McGuire
Located in Vienna, AT
Organic vintage sheaf of wheat bamboo dining table or center table by Mc Guire circa 1970 United States. Inspired by nature the table shows an organic shape l...
Bamboo, Glass
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Pedestal Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous organic modern glass top dining table or center table made by McGuire. The table features a bamboo rattan pedestal base with a w...
Leather, Rattan, Glass
Large Elegant Restored Vintage Circular Dining or Center Table by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional restored large circular dining or center table by McGuire, circa 1980. Stout, heavy steel frame construction veneered in bamboo; leather wrapped detail in the iconic M...
Steel
Vintage Coastal McGuire Bundled Bamboo Center Hall Table With Specimen Stone Top
By McGuire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A breathtaking fusion of organic elegance and natural artistry, this vintage McGuire center hall table features their iconic bundled bamboo base paired with a truly stunning specimen...
Marble
Vintage Coastal Twisted Rattan Dining Table After McGuire
By McGuire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Vintage Coastal Twisted Rattan Dining Table, inspired by the iconic designs of McGuire, is a stunning piece that embodies the relaxed elegance of coastal living. This table featu...
Rattan, Glass
Antique Spanish Pedestal Figural Carved Round Dining Table
Located in Miami, FL
An antique Spanish Carved Walnut pedestal dining table. Circa 1900. Having a round top over a beaded skirt, rising on a pedestal, four stretches on the raised base to reinforce the t...
Pine
Custom Regency Style 56" Diameter Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Swathed in the finest figured mahogany, this 56” diameter table features a bold pedestal comprised of a tapered octagonal column having an ebonized collar and terminating on a platfo...
Mahogany, Satinwood, Ebony
McGuire Organic Modern Blonde Bamboo Hexagonal Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous McGuire organic modern hexagonal base dining table featuring a large round glass top. This is an early McGuire model #MCBA17 crafted with a geometric iron frame hand-wrapped...
Iron
$3,400
H 28 in W 26 in D 26 in
Genuine McGuire Palasan Rattan Pedestal Dining Table Base for Glass Top, Marked
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A genuine McGuire organic modern bamboo rattan pedestal dining table base, designed for use with a round glass tabletop. This beautiful piece from McGuire's Palasan Collection featur...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Faux Bamboo X Base Round Dining Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice Mid-Century Modern faux bamboo X base dining table w/ thick glass top.
$4,917Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in W 60 in D 60 in
Large Bamboo and Glass Square Coffee Table by John McGuire
By John McGuire
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This vintage 1970 square coffee table, designed by John McGuire, boasts a 60" x 60" glass top, 3/4" thick with a 1" bevel, offering a sleek and spacious surface. The distinctive base...
Rattan, Glass
$1,068
H 28.75 in W 59.06 in D 59.06 in
Bamboo Dining Table Sheaf of Wheat by McGuire, circa 1970, United States
By John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Marbella, ES
Bamboo dining table sheaf of wheat by McGuire, circa 1970 United States Measure of the foot of table 72 x 61 cm.
Bamboo, Glass
Mid-century Coffee Table with Brass Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This simple yet decorative midcentury coffee table features a wonderful brass base with a wood grain finished top. Unique vintage table with interesting brass details, woodgrain lami...
Brass
$13,835 / item
H 13.78 in W 59.06 in D 47.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Landscape Coffee Table Calacatta Marble Handmade Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Landscape Coffee Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins fo...
Marble, Onyx, Travertine, Brass, Stainless Steel
$2,000
H 28.75 in W 80 in D 48 in
Vintage Mid Century Dorothy McGuire Sheaf of Wheat Bamboo and Glass Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Dorothy McGuire Sheaf of Wheat dining table. This lovely mid century dining table features a glass and bamboo constructio...
Bamboo, Glass
Mid-Century Modern Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful vintage modern propeller shaped metal base and a thick round glass top is sure to make an impression in any modern interior. An elegant design that boasts a tripod base w...
Metal
Sold
H 13.78 in W 25.6 in D 16.93 in
Pair of Wooden Tables with Leather Bindings by Lyda Levi Mcguire San Francisco
By McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
Pair of Wooden Tables (Dark Finish) with Leather Bindings by Lyda Levi for Mcguire San Francisco 1970 Product details With sheet brass top Single table dimensions 65 W x 35 H x 43 D cm
Brass
Mid Century Faux Bamboo With Brass Accent Table With Folding Chairs.
By Tony Duquette, McGuire
Located in Hudson, NY
Fabulous mid century modern carved wood in the faux bamboo fashion with heavy brass accents. The four folding chairs and table with glass top...
Brass
Coffee or side lamp table by McGuire Furniture
By McGuire
Located in South Charleston, WV
McGuire, San Francisco circa 1960. 24" diameter, 20.25" tall with 5 double rattan legs supporting a bottom and top base with laminate insert. In excellent condition. Idea for use in closed patios and indoors with rattan sofas and chairs.
Rattan, Formica
Mcguire Furniture Company, center/dining table, Midcentury
By John McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elinore Stevensson (1914-2005) met Johan McGuire (1920-2013) just before World War II. They settled in San Francisco and began selling rattan furniture which led to the birth of McGu...
Bamboo
McGuire Organic Modern Hexagonal Bamboo Rattan Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine organic modern McGuire dining table or breakfast table featuring a hexagonal geometric base. Designed by John McGuire this table is constructed from an iron frame painted gol...
Iron
McGuire Oval Glass Top Bamboo & Leather Coffee Table MINT!
By Ficks Reed, McGuire
Located in Rockaway, NJ
McGuire Oval Glass Top Bamboo & Leather Coffee Table MINT!
Bamboo, Glass
McGuire Organic Modern Cerused Rattan Oak Breakfast Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous round rattan and oak breakfast dining table or center table made in the coastal organic modern style by McGuire. The elegant table features an oak frame veneered on the side...
Rattan, Oak
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Dining or Center Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish organic modern rattan table by McGuire. Versatile pedestal table that could serve as a breakfast dining table or an elegant center table. T...
Leather, Rattan, Glass
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Oak Pedestal Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome round pedestal dining table or center table made by McGuire. The table features a cylindrical form with bamboo rattan veneer on the sides and top in a dark rich finish. Made...
Bamboo, Rattan, Glass, Oak
McGuire Organic Modern Red Lacquered Rattan Pedestal Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive McGuire rattan pedestal dining table or center table featuring a whimsical red lacquered finish. The table is crafted from rattan poles in a basket design having an hourglass or waisted form. Excellent joinery and craftsmanship with an intentionally aged patina on the leather rawhide laces. Bespoke custom order color. McGuire makers plaque on the bottom. The pedestal is topped with a thick pane of 42 inch round...
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan, Glass
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Breakfast Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire breakfast or bistro sized dining table made in the California organic modern style. Rare, smaller scale version of the original dining table perfect for small nooks. ...
Iron
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Raffia Occasional or Centre Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome occasional table or center table crafted from rattan in the California organic modern style by McGuire. The table features a two-tier design with woven raffia insets. The top has a round form with concentric circle borders of bent rattan. Supported by a square base with a lower galleried shelf. The straight legs end with splayed feet and the exposed joints are reinforced with light colored...
Leather, Raffia, Rattan, Oak