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.
McGuire Brown Leather Wrapped Bamboo Dining Chairs - Set of Six
By McGuire
Located in Miami, FL
Set of six McGuire leather wrapped bamboo frame dining chairs with fabric seats and backs. The fabric is original and requires new upholstery. The leather wraps all the joints. Arm...
Bamboo, Fabric, Leather
Four McGuire Arm Chairs with White Washed Finish, Great Scale for Comfort Chic.
By McGuire
Located in Buchanan, MI
Four McGuire arm chairs with white washed finish, great scale for comfort. Upholstery in pristine condition. Would look good in a library, office or...
Rattan
Set of Ten Bill Sofield McGuire Danish Cord Cocoon Dining Chairs
By William Sofield, McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A sublime set of ten rare "Cocoon" dining chairs designed by William Sofield for McGuire. The set is comprised of eight side chairs and two host armchairs. Each chair is crafted from...
Leather, Cord, Walnut
McGuire Mackintosh Style Organic Modern Rattan Dining Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sculptural set of four gorgeous rattan dining armchairs made in the manner and style of McGuire and Mackintosh. The rattan frames have a lovely intentionally aged patina with a bleac...
Fabric, Rattan
Set of Six McGuire Coral Wicker Rattan Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular set of six coral toned wicker rattan dining chairs made by McGuire in the California organic modern taste. These rare chairs feature a rattan frame covered with woven wic...
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
Set of Four McGuire Woven Rawhide Rattan Dining Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare set of four woven leather rawhide and rattan dining armchairs from McGuire's Antalya collection. Hand-crafted in the coastal California modern organic style featuring a thick rattan pole frame covered with a geometric pattern of woven lattice leather rawhide laces. The leather and rattan have a natural warm pecan light...
Leather, Rattan
$2,000 / set
Pair of McGuire Midcentury Oak Demilune Stools
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of McGuire oak stools or side tables crafted from solid oak. Very well-made solid construction stools featuring a curved frame. When arranged side by side the stools form a...
Oak
Mid-Century McGuire Bamboo and Fabric Lounge Chair, 1970s
By McGuire
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage upholstered arm chair with leather wrapped bamboo frame by McGuire, 1970s.
Fabric, Bamboo
Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan Fretwork Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Barbara Barry, McGuire
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan Fretwork Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 32.5 wide x 28 deep x 30.25 high, with a seat height of 19.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 30...
Upholstery, Rattan
1980s McGuire Beige Gold Herringbone Rattan Chairs, Set of 4
By McGuire
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning rattan dining chairs you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The Iconic chairs are a statement piece...
Leather, Upholstery, Rattan
Breathtaking McGuire Cane Sofa in the Style of Michael Taylor- Pair Available
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent sofa is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: meticulously professionally restored, expertly upholstered and completely inst...
Cane, Hardwood
Thomas Pheasant for McGuire Organic Modern Club Chair & Ottoman
By Thomas Pheasant, McGuire
Located in Southampton, NJ
An impressive organic modern "Club Chair" with ottoman by Thomas Pheasant for McGuire with comfy silhouette & interesting textured deep Verdigris caste bronze Faux Bois frame...
Bronze
Pair of McGuire Rattan Leona Loop Back Dining Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant set of three McGuire rattan loop back dining armchairs made in the California coastal organic modern style. One of McGuire's most iconic and beautiful chair styles designed b...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan Fretwork Sofa
By Barbara Barry, McGuire
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan Fretwork Sofa This sofa measures: 88 wide x 37 deep x 30.5 inches high, with a seat height of 19 inches We take our photos in a controlled lighting...
Upholstery, Rattan
Pair of Laura Kirar for McGuire Rattan Raffia King Benches
By Laura Kirar, McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish pair of lacquered rattan and raffia grass cloth benches or diminutive daybeds designed by Laura Kirar for McGuire. Known as ring benches they feature an oak frame with rattan clad borders and inset with raffia grasscloth...
Velvet, Raffia, Rattan
Classic McGuire Bamboo Armchair with Upholstered Seat
By McGuire
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Never goes out of style McGuire bamboo armchair having neutral upholstered seat. Arm height 26"
Upholstery, Bamboo
Classic Set of 4 McGuire Whitewashed Handcrafted Barrel Back Rattan Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic set of 4 McGuire barrel back whitewashed rattan armchairs having stylish newly upholstered seats in a striking cotton decorated with Chinese blu...
Cotton, Rattan
McGuire Set of Four Armchairs
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
Another elegant design by Elinor and John McGuire, these armchairs are not only beautiful, but incredibly well built with McGuire's patented method using rawhide binding at the joint...
Leather, Cane, Rattan
Pair of Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan Chairs W/ Floral Upholstery
By McGuire
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A pair of Barbara Barry for McGuire rattan arm chairs with cheery, floral upholstered seats. The chairs are stained a dark hue with an open c...
Rattan
McGuire Caned Arm Chair by Barbara Barry, Rattan & Leather, USA
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Crafted from rattan, the chair is accented by meticulously hand-laced joint bindings at each joint—a patented McGuire hallmark that ensures both structural integrity and a rich, tact...
Leather, Rattan
Vintage Barbara Barry McGuire Rattan "Cambria" Armchair, Newly Upholstered
By McGuire
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Barbara Barry McGuire Rattan "Cambria" Armchair, Newly Upholstered Offered for sale is a vintage rattan Barbara Barry Cambria armchair from McGuire Furniture. The chair has ...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Davis Allen Square Chair and Ottoman by McGuire
By McGuire, Davis Allen
Located in Highland, IN
This strikingly handsome Davis Allen design for McGuire of San Fransisco is the model RW-12A "Square Chair" and RW-51P ottoman. It is a cube chair executed in rattan and cane wicker ...
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
1980s McGuire Twisted Rattan Green Beige Chairs and Ottoman, Set of 3
By McGuire
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1980s with this exquisite twisted McGuire rattan set in green upholstery. The ultra rare set exudes an air of luxury and refine...
Upholstery, Rattan