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.
$6,800 / set
Pair Orange McGuire Teak Portico Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Houston, TX
Originally designed by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy for McGuire of San Francisco, the Portico chair takes a modern approach while saluting a traditional aesthetic. Each solid teak chair fame ...
Velvet, Teak
Set of Eight McGuire Balboa Organic Modern Rattan Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Featuring Craftsman details, the strong, simple lines of this set of eight Balboa rattan dining chairs make a statement. Architectural and incredibly detailed, the organic modern cha...
Leather, Rattan
1980s McGuire All Arm Organic Modern Rattan and Leather Dining Chairs- Set of 6
By Baker Furniture Company, McGuire
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Great set of six all arm chairs by McGuire. Features a wood frame with bamboo like appearance, joints are embellished with leather wrap. Very nice set that could work in a variety of...
Leather, Faux Bamboo, Cane
Set of Eight McGuire Rattan Target Arm Chairs or Dining Chairs Upholstered Back
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A Set of Eight Genuine McGuire Rattan Target Arm Chairs with Upholstered Back. Designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire, these impeccably crafted arm chairs display a rattan...
Leather, Rattan, Fabric
Set of 8 Vintage McGuire Bamboo Dining Armchairs, San Francisco
By McGuire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and highly desirable group of vintage bamboo dining armchairs by McGuire Furniture, designed and manufactured in San Francisco, California. We currently have a total of 10 mat...
Fabric, Bamboo
Set of Four McGuire Rattan Target Upholstered Dining Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A handsome bespoke set of four genuine rattan "Target" upholstered back dining chairs made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. The set consists of fou...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan, Raffia
$3,600 / set
Pair of McGuire Bamboo Butterfly Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Raleigh, NC
Pair of McGuire bamboo butterfly chairs featuring reddish tone with washed finish. The distinctive butterfly profile creates wide, angled backs that spread outward from narrow seat ...
Bamboo
Pair of McGuire Rattan Wicker Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing pair of barrel back form rattan wicker lounge chairs or club chairs made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. The rare chairs feature a strong ...
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
Set of Six McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Bamboo Dining Chairs
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A rare set of six organic modern M-74 dining chairs designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire for McGuire San Francisco. The handcrafted chairs have their original finish, Co...
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
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
Set of Four McGuire Rattan Oval Cane Back Dining Armchairs, Organic Modern Style
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A gorgeous set of four genuine McGuire rattan oval cane back dining chairs, designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire. The set of armchairs feature McGuire’s signature rawhid...
Leather, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Vintage McGuire Bamboo Oval Dining Table with Six Matching Chairs, San Francisco
By McGuire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and highly desirable complete vintage dining set by McGuire Furniture, designed and manufactured in San Francisco, California, embodying the brand’s iconic blend of natural ma...
Fabric, Bamboo, Glass
$3,250 / set
Set of Six McGuire Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a set of six dining chairs, two armchairs and four side chairs, each with its own chocolate brown seat cushion, by McGuire of San Francisco. The chairs’ design blends nat...
Leather, Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Pair of Barbara Barry for McGuire Caned Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish and rare pair of large lounge chairs or club chairs with matching ottoman designed in the California coastal organic modern style by Barbara Barry for McGuire. The chairs fea...
Leather, Fabric, Cane, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Brass Cocktail Table 4.5 Ft
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A refined, genuine signed McGuire rattan and rawhide coffee or drinks table pairing a rattan pole base with a thick, beveled floating glass top. The table features a trestle-like str...
Brass
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
Pair of McGuire Organic Modern Cerused Rattan Lounge Chairs Ottoman
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Bespoke pair of oversized organic modern style lounge chairs or club chairs and ottoman made in the California coastal style by McGuire artisans. The chairs feature a large frame cra...
Leather, Rattan, Oak
Pair McGuire Cerused Oak Rattan Nightstands End Tables
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exquisite pair of cerused oak and rattan nightstands, or end tables made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. These rare tables feature a thick pole ra...
Brass
Set of Eight McGuire Rattan "Cracked Ice" Dining Chairs
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Hamburg, PA
An elegant set of eight McGuire "Cracked Ice" Dining Chairs with hand-crafted raw-hide leather binding and caned seats. This impressive set of chairs was designed by John and Elinor ...
Leather, Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
John McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Dining Table Base for Glass Top
By McGuire, John McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Stunning organic modern bamboo dining table base for glass top designed by John McGuire. The octagonal dining table base, crafted entirely by hand, features bamboo poles lashed in pl...
Iron, Brass
McGuire Organic Modern Rectangular Bamboo Dining Table 8 Ft.
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine large 8 foot long bamboo glass top dining table made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. The table base has an iron frame painted golden gate ...
Iron
Set of Six McGuire Organic Modern Gothic Rattan Dining Chairs
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Beautiful set of six genuine McGuire rattan dining chairs, designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire. The design is famous for its rattan Gothic cathedral pattern with inters...
Leather, Rattan, Fabric, Bamboo
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 Organic Modern Bamboo Iron Frame Round Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire organic modern round dining table featuring a hexagonal shaped base. The iron base is painted golden gate orange for authenticity and then covered with bamboo poles l...
Iron
Pair of Organic Modern Rattan Lounge Chairs by Elinor McGuire
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A pair of organic modern rattan lounge chairs designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire for McGuire San Francisco. Oversized for comfort, the chairs feature large handcrafted...
Leather, Rattan
Set of Six McGuire Woven Rattan Peel Dining Chairs
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This set of six organic modern dining chairs, designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire, includes two armchairs and four side chairs. The woven rattan dining chairs, handmade...
Wicker, Rattan
Set of Six Genuine McGuire "Cracked Ice" Rattan Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An exceptional genuine labeled set of six McGuire "Cracked Ice" rattan armchairs (Model # MCM90) featuring the signature namesake open fretwork backs in an oval frame. Each iconic ch...
Leather, Cane, Rattan
Set of Four McGuire Laced Rawhide Rattan Dining Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine set of four rare McGuire Antalya directors style dining armchairs featuring lattice style laced rawhide woven leather seats and back. Model #MC...
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Lounge Chair With Ottoman
By McGuire
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century Organic Modern style lounge chair with ottoman By McGuire USA, Circa Early 21st Century Bamboo rattan form hardwood frame, with upholstered seat and bac...
Upholstery, Rattan, Bamboo
$3,800Sale Price|20% Off
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Glass Top Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire dining table or breakfast table made in the California coastal organic modern style. The stylish table features an iron frame base painted golden gate orage for authe...
Iron
Lyda Levi x McGuire Company Gate Leg Console Table
By McGuire
Located in Astoria, NY
Lyda Levi for McGuire Company Gate Leg Console Table, the rectangular oak wood flip-top above bamboo and rattan base. Closed: 29.5" H x 72" W x...
Bamboo, Rattan, Oak
Pair of McGuire Organic Modern X-Base Rattan End Tables, Glass Tops included
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
McGuire Organic Modern Lacquered Rattan Lounge Chair
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Oversized organic modern lounge chair designed by Elinor McGuire in the California coastal style. The chair features a large horseshoe shaped round back with a thick pole rattan fram...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Set of 6 Mid Century Modern McGuire Cane 7 Rattan Dining Chairs MINT
By McGuire
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of 6 Mid Century Modern McGuire Cane 7 Rattan Dining Chairs MINT
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
Genuine McGuire Organic Modern Palasan Rattan Pedestal Dining Table Base, Marked
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A genuine McGuire organic modern rattan pedestal dining table base, designed for use with a round glass tabletop. This beautiful piece is from McGuire's Palasan Collection, featuring...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
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
Lyda Levi McGuire director's chair in wood and leather with brass details, 1970.
By McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
Lyda Levi McGuire director's chair in wood and leather with brass details, 1970. Extra large version (the chair is 10 cm wider than the classic direc...
Brass
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Six Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan and Cane Dining Chairs
By McGuire, Baker Furniture Company, Barbara Barry
Located in Peabody, MA
Set of six dining armchairs designed by Barbara Barry for Baker/McGuire. Their regency influenced rattan frames are woven with a fine double mesh caning and feature arched vents in t...
Cane, Rattan, Upholstery
Warm Set of 8 Vintage Honey Bamboo and Caramel Leather Dining Chairs by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fabulous set of eight (8) beautifully aged Organic dining chairs by McGuire, circa 1980. Stout expertly crafted rattan construction accented with handsome caramel woven leather sea...
Rattan, Leather, Bamboo
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
McGuire Bamboo and Oak Expandable Parsons Table
By McGuire
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Versatile McGuire parsons table of bamboo and oak showcases the brand’s signature blend of natural materials and refined craftsmanship. The square table features a rich oak top frame...
Bamboo, Wood
1970Two McGuire Director’s Chairs
By McGuire
Located in IT
Set of two McGuire Director’s Chairs. Crafted with a black-lacquered oak and bamboo frame, these chairs feature leather seats and backs. The brass det...
Leather, Bamboo, Oak
Pair of McGuire Wicker Rattan Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of rare, woven wicker rattan lounge chairs made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. The large chairs feature a pole rattan frame complet...
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
Mehitabel McGuire Twisted Pedestal Bamboo Dining Table MidCentury Boho 1970s
By McGuire
Located in London, GB
An iconic design from the 1970s, originally designed by Arthur Edwards for Mehitabel Philippines and distributed widely by John McGuire. Original label on the base. Two table bases, ...
Glass, Bamboo
Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan or Wicker Arm Desk, Dining or Occasional Chair
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
Located in St. Louis, MO
Barbara Barry designed for McGuire Furniture of San Francisco. Dark stained Rattan dining chair, can be used as a desk chair or Occasional chair. All original, light touch up. Label.
Rattan
Set of Four McGuire Organic Modern Lacquered Rattan Bar Stools
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Bespoke set of four counter height non-swivel barstools crafted in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. The stools feature a thick pole rattan frame havin...
Leather, Faux Leather, Rattan, Wood
Very Large Octagonal Glass Top Leather Strapped Bamboo McGuire Dining Table
By McGuire, Ficks Reed
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very large 80" round octagonal beveled glass top leather strapped bamboo McGuire dining table.
Leather, Bamboo, Glass
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Sofa
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Organic modern bamboo rattan sofa designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire for McGuire San Francisco. The three-seat sofa or settee features a handcrafted bent rattan frame ...
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
$2,471Sale Price / set|25% Off
McGuire Bamboo Bar Stools with Leather Seats, 1970s Bohemian Style
By McGuire
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Leather, Bamboo
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
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
American modern bamboo and glass round dining table by McGuire, 1970s
By McGuire
Located in MIlano, IT
USA modern bamboo and glass round dining table by McGuire, 1970s Dining table with round top in bevelled glass. The bamboo base narrow in the center and widens on the sides. At the c...
Bamboo, Glass
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
Magnificent Pair of Restored Vintage Rattan Club Chairs by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent lounge chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. New custom upholstery in a stunning Larsen fabric. Expert custom upholstery service is available. An absolutely stunning pair of organic club chairs by McGuire, circa 1980. Beautiful examples from an extremely limited production series. Expertly crafted hardwood frame construction veneered in pencil reed rattan. Incredible workmanship, detail and quality. Exceptional tone setting pieces that will effectively anchor even the largest of rooms. Memorable chairs designed to highlight a cherished room. Excellent Restored Condition. Meticulous complete professional restoration. The rattan displays...
Rattan, Hardwood, Cane
Set of Five Cerused Rattan Dining Chairs with Bamboo Table by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Shippensburg, PA
SET OF FIVE LEATHER-BOUND CERUSED RATTAN DINING CHAIRS WITH LEATHER-BOUND BAMBOO DINING TABLE Designed by McGuire of San Francisco chairs with brass plaques retained to the undersi...
Brass
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
Set of Seven McGuire Rattan Cane Belden Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome set of seven rattan barrel back dining chairs made in the California organic modern coastal style by McGuire artisans. The Belden chairs feature a gracefully curved horsesho...
Brass
Vintage McGuire Bamboo Oval Dining Table with Beveled Glass, San Francisco
By McGuire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined and highly desirable vintage dining table by McGuire Furniture, designed and manufactured in San Francisco, California, exemplifying the brand’s iconic use of natural mater...
Bamboo, Glass
$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
McGuire Organic Modern Round Rattan Oak Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand McGuire organic modern round dining table crafted from oak with a reeded rattan finish. The large table features an oak pedesta...
Iron
1980s McGuire Rattan Barrel Cane Back Dining Chairs and Table, Set of 5
By McGuire
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1990s with this dining set. The ultra rare set exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding design is exhibited througho...
Leather, Upholstery, Rattan