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.
Classic Mid-Century Modernist, Regency Bamboo Dining Table by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modernist, Hollywood Regency dining table by McGuire of San Francisco. Beautiful bundle of wheat form constructed of bamboo, age appropriate wear. Top measures 25...
Bamboo
McGuire Wheat Sheaf Coffee Table, White Rattan & Glass, Mid-Century
By McGuire
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Radiating sculptural elegance and laid-back glamour, this white-painted McGuire “Wheat Sheaf” coffee table reinterprets a classic mid-century silhouette with light-reflective, coasta...
Rattan, Glass, Bamboo
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Round Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire round dining table featuring a square base. The base is created from an iron frame painted golden gate orange for authencity...
Iron
$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
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
McGuire Rattan Coffee Table with Glass Top
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
Elinor McGuire designed coffee table for McGuire of San Fransisco, the company she started with her husband John. McGuire furniture is made to last generations. Not only is the desig...
Leather, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Oval Bamboo Rattan Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire bamboo rattan dining table made in the California coastal organic modern style. The table features a large elongated...
Iron
John McGuire BA-13 Bamboo Dining Table
By John McGuire, McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
The bamboo tables are one of John McGuire's signature designs for McGuire of San Fransisco, the company he started with his wife Elinor. McGuire furniture is made to last generations...
Steel
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Glass Breakfast Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire breakfast dining table made in the California coastal organic modern style. The table features an iron frame painted golden gate orange for authenticity. Completely c...
Iron
Mid Century Rattan Dining Table attributed to McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid Century Rattan Dining Table, attributed to The McGuire Company, Asian, circa 1960s. Please see our Gabriella Crespi dining chairs on 1stdibs t...
Leather, Rattan, Glass
McGuire Organic Modern Rectangular Bamboo Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire bamboo dining table made in the Califonia Coastal organic modern style. The bespoke table features a rare design seldom seen with simple X form stretchers conjoining the legs. The table has an iron base painted golden gate orange for authenticity then covered with bamboo poles lashed together with cream-colored leather rawhide laces. The base is topped with a thick, heavy pane of McGuire glass having a wide beveled edge. Sturdy and strong with excellent joinery and craftsmanship. The design is simple, grounded in organic materials with a desirable aged patina on the bamboo and leather finish. From an estate in the Napa Valley, CA. Erin Lane Estate is a 1stdibs partner and diamond seller...
Iron
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rectangular Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning bamboo rectangular dining table made in the California organic modern style by McGuire. This is a genuine McGuire model # MCBA22 with an iron frame painted golden gate orange for authenticity. The table features a geometric design base measuring 46 inches wide and 21 inches deep covered with tobacco colored bamboo poles...
Iron
$950
H 18 in W 48 in D 48 in
Hollywood Regency McGuire Style Sheaf of Wheat Bamboo 48" Glass Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Hollywood Regency McGuire Style Sheaf of Wheat Bamboo 48" Glass Coffee Table....
Glass, Wood
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 52 in D 52 in
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
McGuire Furniture Company Pedestal Table, 2010s
By McGuire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
McGuire Furniture Company Pedestal Table. Its a very unusual example with a single faux bamboo pedestal base and a white top. Bares brass plaque "McGuire San Francisco". Additiona...
Faux Bamboo
McGuire Organic Modern Antalya Woven Rawhide Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous McGuire Antalya woven rawhide and rattan pedestal table or dining table. Made in the coastal California organic modern style featuring a ratta...
Leather, Rattan, Glass
Sold
H 28.5 in W 80 in D 38 in
McGuire Geometric Rattan Pedestals for Table Console Desk Both Item Dimensions
By McGuire
Located in Houston, TX
McGuire versatile pair of stylish organic modern table pedestals. They are bamboo geometric bases that are bound with leather. Together with whatever table top you desire, they creat...
Leather, Bamboo, Glass
Sold
H 29 in W 36.5 in D 24.5 in
McGuire White Lacquered Sheaf of Wheat Dining Table Pedestal Base, Refinished
By McGuire
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency dining table pedestal base By McGuire, USA, Circa 1960s White lacquered bamboo in sheaf of wheat form, with ribbon weave desi...
Bamboo, Lacquer
Classic Mid-Century Modernist, Regency Occasional Table by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modernist, Hollywood Regency occasional table by McGuire of San Francisco. Beautiful bundle of wheat form constructed of b...
Bamboo