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.
Set of Four McGuire Rattan Oval Cane Back Dining Armchairs
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Set of four McGuire rattan oval cane back dining chairs, designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire. The organic modern armchairs have their original tobacco brown finish. Fea...
Leather, Cane, Rattan
$5,000 / set
H 37 in W 23 in D 23 in
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
$3,980 / set
H 38 in W 21 in D 21 in
Set of Four McGuire Bent Rattan Bistro Loop Back Dining Arm Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A lovely set of four McGuire bent rattan bistro loop or fan back dining arm chairs, Model M26 from McGuire San Francisco. These beautifully handcrafted vintage dining armchairs have the original cerused limed finish. Rawhide lacing enhances their appeal. The organic modern chairs feature a rattan frame and loop or fan back, with inspiration drawn from Thonet's No. 25 bistro chair in the art nouveau style. Chairs have upholstered seats and gracefully curved armrests (26" h). Each chair retains a McGuire maker's plaque. For a complete dining set, a glass-topped dining table is also available through a separate listing. Uncompromising quality and relaxed, timeless style from McGuire San Francisco (now Baker McGuire).
Leather, Rattan, Fabric, Bamboo
$3,495 / set
H 36 in W 23 in D 25 in
1970s, McGuire Target Style Rattan Dining Side Armchairs, Set of 4
By McGuire
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Handsome set of four rattan dining armchairs crafted in the manner and style of McGuire. They feature a bullseye target design on the square back splat. Graceful arms conjoin to a ge...
Rattan
$7,950 / set
H 36 in W 36 in D 26 in
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
$3,450 / set
H 36 in W 23 in D 22 in
1980s McGuire Style Target Back Stacked Rattan Dining Chairs, Set of 4
By McGuire
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning chairs you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The Iconic target back style chairs are a statement p...
Leather, Upholstery, Rattan
A Set of Four Iconic Elinor McGuire Rattan Cracked Ice Chairs
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A set of four genuine iconic McGuire rattan Cracked Ice chairs designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire in 1968. The design is famous for its rattan oval back that frames sm...
Leather, Cane, 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
$3,780 / set
H 33.86 in W 23.63 in D 17.72 in
Organic French Riviera Dining Chairs – Set of 4, Mid-Century Rattan Artistry
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Presenting an exceptional set of mid-century rattan chairs that perfectly embodies the relaxed elegance of the French Riviera style. These chairs stand out for their architectural si...
Rattan
Set of Pencil Reed Rattan Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Set of six pencil reed rattan dining chairs in the style of McGuire. Set includes two armchairs and four side chairs in the style of Palm Beach Hollywood Regency and are in antique w...
Rattan
Set of Four McGuire Rattan Barrel Back Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic set of four rattan dining armchairs made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire. The chairs feature gorgeous pole bent rattan frames in a barrel back form w...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Set of Four McGuire Rattan Target Upholstered Dining Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A handsome set of four genuine labeled "Target" upholstered back dining armchairs made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire, San Francisco, California. The set c...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Set of Six McGuire Woven Rattan Cane Dining Armchairs
By Jacques Garcia, McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare set of six rattan cane dining armchairs designed by Jacques Garcia for McGuire. The chairs feature a graceful round barrel back design hardwood frame with a near ebony espresso ...
Wicker, Raffia, Rattan, Hardwood
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
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
Set of Four McGuire Rattan Laced Rawhide Barrel Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic set of four McGuire barrel back design rattan dining armchairs made in the California coastal organic modern style. The chairs feature a woven laced rawhide back in geometric ...
Leather, Rattan
Erin Lane Estate is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and its team of furniture restorers, art curators, professional appraisers and Asia specialists sources prime vintage and antique furniture from the finest estates in Northern and Southern California. Erin Lane Estate specializes in Hollywood Regency, McGuire, Chinese and Japanese pieces.
