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 McGuire Bamboo Cube Granite Top Drinks Tables
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sleek pair of vintage McGuire San Francisco bamboo cube shaped side, end, or drink tables featuring smooth black granite tops. Each table features linear vertical bamboo slat constru...
Granite
Pair McGuire Lacquered Rattan Taborette Drum Drink Tables
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chic pair of black lacquered rattan taborette drum form drinks tables or stools crafted in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. The tables feature a pole ...
Leather, Rattan, Oak
Vintage Bamboo & Leather Straps Side Table / Footstool By McGuire Furniture
By McGuire
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice vintage bamboo and leather strap side table / footstool with glass top by McGuire Furniture Companmy, circa 1970s. A beautifully crafted vintage McGuire side table or foo...
Leather, Bamboo, Glass
$1,050Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Oak & Rattan Side Tables / Stools by McGuire Furniture Co.
By McGuire
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice pair of oak and rattan side tables / stools by McGuire Furniture Co. of San Francisco, circa 1970s. These tables are difficult to find and are in very good vintage condition. ...
Leather, Rattan, Oak
McGuire Rattan Oak Campaign Style Folding Drink Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare organic modern campaign style folding drinks table crafted by McGuire artisans in California. The table features a thick pole rattan X frame that features an open fretwork desig...
Brass
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
McGuire Rattan Target Design Cocktail or Occasional Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional McGuire two-tier cocktail table, coffee table, or occasional table designed by Elinor McGuire. The table features a rattan frame with McGuires iconic target design on eac...
Leather, Cane, Rattan, Glass
Rattan and Cane Side Table by Davis Allen for McGuire, a Pair
By Davis Allen, McGuire
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A pair of side tables designed by Davis Allen for McGuire of San Francisco. Made from rattan and cane, finished with a glass top. A delicate and handsome design, however the table it...
Cane, Rattan, Glass
Pair Of Vintage McGuire Rattan Round Drum Form Side Tables
By McGuire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of McGuire drum-shaped side tables, specifically known for their use of rattan and bamboo in an Organic Mid Century style. The round tables with a circular base and top conjoi...
Rattan, Leather, Wood
$875Sale Price / set|30% Off
Oak & Rattan Round Side Table by McGuire Furniture Co.
By McGuire
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice oak and rattan round side table by McGuire Furniture Co. of San Francisco, circa 1970s. This hard to find table is in very good vintage condition and measures 24"D x 21"H; it ...
Leather, Rattan, Oak
McGuire Organic Modern Cerused Rattan Drum Drink Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish organic modern rattan and leather tabouret or drum form drinks table made in the California coastal organic modern taste by McGuire artisans. The table features a gracefully ...
Leather, Rattan, Oak
Pair of McGuire Organic Modern X-Base Rattan Bamboo End Tables with Glass Tops
By McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of genuine McGuire organic modern rattan bamboo end tables. The square end tables or side tables feature a rattan frame with an x-base, trefoil brass leg caps and clear glass to...
Brass
$938Sale Price|30% Off
McGuire Contemporary Stacked Bamboo Rattan and Laminate Top Side Table
By McGuire
Located in Germantown, MD
McGuire Contemporary Stacked Bamboo Rattan and Laminate Top Side Table. Dark gray top with tan color frame. Measures 24" in width at the back, 14.5" in width at the front, 27" in dep...
Bamboo, Rattan, Laminate
McGuire Organic Modern Cerused Rattan Bamboo Drinks Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic rattan bamboo cocktail drink table or coffee table made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire. The table features an hourglass form of bundled rattan with ...
Rattan, Glass
McGuire Mid Century Bamboo & Burled Laminate Side End Table
By McGuire
Located in Franklin Park, IL
McGuire mid century bamboo & burled laminate side end table Side table measures: 27 wide x 27 deep x 17.75 high All pieces of furnit...
Bamboo, Laminate
Pair of White Lacquered Mahogany Drink Tables by Baker Furniture
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in North York, ON
Pair of White Lacquered mahogany drink tables by Baker Furniture. Featuring curved jellyfish design with satin white lacquered finish. Brand new, American, by iconic American manufac...
Mahogany
Set of Four McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Bar Stools
By McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A set of four genuine McGuire handcrafted organic modern barstools, marked McGuire San Francisco. The stools feature thick rattan poles, a cathedral arch splat, and McGuire's signatu...
Brass
$16,500 / set
H 21 in W 27 in D 27 in
Beautiful Restored Pair of Mahogany, Rattan and Brass End Tables by McGuire
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
These fabulous end tables are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. ...
Brass
$2,118Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 14.97 in Dm 14.18 in
Pair of Bamboo Rattan Round Stools or Side Tables, Franco Albini Style
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian midcentury rattan and bamboo stools, 1950s-1960s These eye-catching stools / footstools can be used as end tables, side tables or nightstands. They were entirely made by hand and have a nice construction and a clean design inspired in Michael Thonet bentwood stools...
Bamboo, Rattan, Cane
Pair of Mid Century Bamboo and Rattan Side Tables, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Very nice, understated yet very typical bamboo & rattan side tables. Two different heights: 44 cm and 53 cm The base areas are 33 x 33 cm and 41 x 41 cm.
Bamboo, Rattan
Panoplie White Oak Drink Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly made solid white oak cocktail table with carved ribbed detailing. Natural oak finish. Made in Los Angeles. Multiple quantity and c...
Oak
Fumed Oak Round Top Foundation Side Table / Stool
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood stool / side table in fumed white oak with round top. The fuming process reacts with the tannins in the wood and results in a color through, rich amber tone. With a clean ...
Oak
Oak Round Top Foundation Side Table / Stool
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood stool / side table in white oak with round top. With a clean and minimal design, these stools are handmade in Portland, Oregon with mortise and tenon joinery in Material's...
Oak
$964
H 17.72 in W 13.39 in D 11.82 in
Sculptural Side Table, Stool, Solid Wood, Oak, Handmade, Organic, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique chainsaw carved wooden functional sculpture usable as a side table or a stool. Carved from a single piece of wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durabil...
Wood, Oak
$1,900 / item
H 16 in W 16 in D 16 in
Travertine Marble Cube Side Table or Coffee Table Design Pavilion
Located in Chicago, IL
Italian travertine cube shaped side table, end table or coffee table. Also a great drinks table. Design with rustic edge Pavilion Antiques and 20th c...
Travertine
Oak Square Top Foundation Side Table / Stool
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood stool / side table in white oak with square top. With a clean and minimal design, these stools are handmade in Portland, Oregon with mortise and tenon joinery in Material'...
Oak
Pair of Acrylic Cube End Tables
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Acrylic or Lucite end or side tables, American, circa 1980s. They are a versatile size and can be used as end or side tables, or as night stands. They were made without a bot...
Acrylic
Sold
H 16.74 in W 39.38 in D 25.6 in
McGuire Organic Modern Coffee Table or Side Table in Bamboo with Leather strap
By McGuire
Located in Morazzone, Varese
McGuire Coffee table or Side table made of bamboo wood with leather bindings around the joints and octagonal cut glass, around 1970s, USA. Rare style and shape, marked with "M" insi...
Leather, Bamboo, Wood
Pair of McGuire Rattan Organic Lacquered Side End Tables
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Bespoke pair of lacquered rattan side tables or end tables crafted in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. The tables feature a cube-shaped rattan frame w...
Brass
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Taborette Drum Drinks Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish organic modern rattan and leather taborette form drum drink table made in the California coastal taste by McGuire artisans. The table features a gracefully curved drum form w...
Leather, Rattan, Glass
Vintage Davis Allen McGuire Rattan Side Tables with Glass Tops, Pair
By Davis Allen, McGuire
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Davis Allen McGuire Rattan Side Tables with Glass Tops, Pair Offered for sale is a pair of vintage rattan and glass-topped side ta...
Rattan, Glass
Vintage McGuire Round Drum Taboret Table Model 95x
By McGuire
Located in West Chester, PA
A genuine McGuire taboret table with the signature leather wrapped joints and original metal tag underneath. Interior table surface 21.5” diameter. On page 34 of the McGuire Furnitur...
Leather, Bamboo, Wood
Pair of McGuire Bamboo Oak Drum Form Nightstands or Side Tables
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning pair of McGuire oval drum form nightstands or bedside tables that could also serve as end tables, side tables, or lamp tables. Made in the California organic modern style fr...
Brass
Sold
H 21.5 in W 33.25 in D 27.25 in
1980s McGuire, Rattan, Mahogany, Leather and Brass Tiered Side Table
By McGuire
Located in Germantown, MD
Massive 1980s McGuire tiered side table made out of jumbo rattan, faux rattan, mahogany and leather laces. This John and Elinor McGuire designed side table features two drawers, flan...
Brass
Pair of McGuire painted white sheaf of wheat tables
By McGuire
Located in Winnetka, IL
A pair of late 1970s sheaf of wheat side tables by McGuire painted white.
Rattan
McGuire Bamboo Rattan Square Side Table with Glass Top
By McGuire
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Great looking contemporary McGuire side table. Bamboo and rattan with black glass top. Marked on bottom with a plaque.
Bamboo, Rattan
McGuire Boho Chic Bamboo Nesting Tables - Set of 3
By McGuire
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your space with the McGuire Boho Chic Bamboo Nesting Tables, a set of three expertly crafted by McGuire Furniture Co. These bamboo rattan tables offer a seamless nesting desi...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Nesting Drink Tables
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Set of three organic modern rattan nesting tables or drinks tables made in the California organic modern style by McGuire. Each table is crafted from rattan poles lashed together wit...
Leather, Rattan, Formica, Wood
McGuire Modern Hollywood Regency Two-Tier Occasional Side Table
By McGuire
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Modern Hollywood Regency two-tier occasional side table or tea table By McGuire of San Francisco USA, late 20th century St...
Brass