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.
$5,197 / set
H 34.26 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Set of 4 French Wooden Chairs with Red Faux Leather Cover, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of four French wooden chairs was made in the 1950s. The unusually shaped frame is made of beech wood and the seat is covered in red imitation leather. The two front chair le...
Faux Leather, Wood
$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
$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
A Set of Four Iconic McGuire Rattan Cracked Ice Chairs
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A set of four iconic McGuire Cracked Ice rattan dining chairs designed by breakthrough innovator Elinor McGuire in 1968. The design is famous for its rattan oval back that frames sma...
Leather, Cane, Rattan
Set of Four McGuire Rattan Oval Cane Back Dining Armchairs
By John and Elinor McGuire, 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
$1,134 / set
H 29.53 in W 17.33 in D 18.51 in
1950s Red Leather Dining Chairs for UP Czechoslovakia, Set of 4
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered in quality red leather - Wooden parts have been repolished.
Leather, Wood
$1,950 / set
H 31.7 in W 21.46 in D 22.25 in
French Art Deco Set of Four Dining Chairs in Red Leatherette Oak Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of four dining chairs, leatherette, oak, brass, France, 1940s The strong, elegant form of the geometrical backrest with spindles, all executed in the finest oak is absolutely s...
Brass
$2,598 / set
H 37.01 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Set of 4 Chiavarine Chairs in Red Stained Beech and Bamboo Rope, Italy 1950s
By Fratelli Levaggi
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful Set of 4 Chiavarine chairs 3 slats model. These extremely light chairs were designed by the Levaggi brothers in the 1950s in Chiavari, Italy. The chairs feature a struct...
Wood, Bamboo, Cane, Beech, 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
$1,535 / set
H 36.62 in W 17.72 in D 18.9 in
Set of Four Vintage Ebonized Beech and Crimson Skai Dining Chairs, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. These chairs feature an ebonized beech frame, brass nails and their original crimson skai upholstery. These are vintage items, therefore they might show slight...
Brass
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 Chinese Officials Hat Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic set of four rattan dining chairs made by McGuire. The chairs are made in the manner and style of a Chinese Ming officials hat chair crafted from rattan poles lashed together...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Set of Four McGuire Spindle-Back Rattan Ikat Dining Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A sophisticated set of four authentic signed rattan upholstered dining armchairs crafted in the California coastal Organic Modern style by McGuire Furniture, San Francisco, CA. The b...
Leather, 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 Organic Modern Rattan Cathedral Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic set of four organic modern rattan dining chairs made by McGuire. "Cathedral" style dining chairs designed by John McGuire feature a Gothic lancet arch style back with an open ...
Leather, Fabric, 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
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.
