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 wide range of vintage John and Elinor McGuire furniture on 1stDibs.
$6,000 / set
McGuire Whitewash Oak Writing Desk and Chair
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Beautiful 1970’s McGuire writing desk and chair design by Elinor McGuire. The desk is solid whitewashed oak, leather top with brass bamboo pull...
Brass
Sculptural glass bamboo desk or dining table by Mc Guire, United States 1970
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Renens, CH
Sculptural designer desk or table attributed to John and Elinor McGuire for McGuire furniture company. Designed around 1970-1980 this stunning desk features a thick oval glass top w...
Bamboo, Glass
$1,047
H 28.75 in W 59.06 in D 59.06 in
Bamboo Dining Table Sheaf of Wheat by McGuire, circa 1970, United States
By John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Marbella, ES
Bamboo dining table sheaf of wheat by McGuire, circa 1970 United States Measure of the foot of table 72 x 61 cm.
Bamboo, Glass
JMF Style Dark Cerused Oak Extendable Writing Desk
By (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in Chicago, IL
Midcentury Modern dark cerused oak writing desk in the style of Jean-Michel Frank. The desk has three drawers with brass ring pulls, along with pull-out extensions on either side for...
Oak
Clean Lined Mid Century Chrome Desk or Dining Table Base - No Glass
By Florence Knoll
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Mid Century Chrome Desk or Dining Table Base, in the style of Florence Knoll, American, circa 1960s. This listing is for the chrome base only, no glass included, as it wi...
Metal, Chrome
Leather and Walnut Writing Desk
By Provasi
Located in Milan, IT
Clean and modern sophistication define this marvelous writing desk, best arranged near or under a large and luminous window in a refined interior. Handcrafted of walnut wood, it is e...
Wood
Lacquered Desk or Dining Table by Jacques Jarrige
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
Luca is an elegant and sculptural piece by Jacques Jarrige that functions equally well as a refined desk or a small dining table. Hand-carved and finished in lustrous lacquer, the pi...
Scrap Wood
Very Good Victorian Oak Writing Desk
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very good two drawer Victorian writing table with original leather surface, standing on turned legs with brass cup castors, freestanding, in overall great condition and colour. 29...
Oak
$9,400
H 29.53 in W 51.19 in D 27.56 in
Guillerme & Chambron Writing Desk in Solid Oak and Black Leather
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, writing desk, oak, leather, France, 1960s. This desk is designed by the renowned French duo Guillerme et Chambron. This design holds an utter...
Leather, Oak
Mastercraft Brass Writing Desk and Chair Circa 1960s
By Mastercraft
Located in Peabody, MA
An extremely rare solid brass writing desk and chair with a stylized neoclassical motif of crossed arrows and target medallions. The chair is fitted with an unusual basketweave seat ...
Brass
1950s French oak writing desk
Located in London, Lambeth
Simple designed writing desk with 4 storage draws with centre locking draw.With Concealed handles design, showing excellent execution of function and form. oak frame tapered legs .C...
Oak
$5,995
H 29.5 in W 48 in D 24 in
Midcentury McGuire Writing Desk with Cane Drawer Fronts and Brass Pulls
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant midcentury writing desk by McGuire exemplifies the brand’s refined approach to natural materials and relaxed modern design. Constructed with a warm-toned wood frame and slender, gently tapered legs, the desk has a light, architectural presence that feels both tailored and understated. The apron is fitted with three drawers, each featuring woven cane fronts that introduce texture and visual warmth while keeping the overall silhouette clean and uncluttered. The drawers are accented with simple brass pulls, adding a subtle note of contrast without overpowering the design. Inside one of the drawers, the original McGuire label is present, confirming the maker and period. The proportions are particularly successful: the desk is wide enough to function comfortably as a workspace while remaining visually light, making it well suited to a home office, bedroom, or living area. The open clearance beneath the apron (24.5"H) allows for generous legroom, reinforcing its practicality for everyday use. The wood surfaces show natural grain variation and a softly aged finish, consistent with McGuire’s emphasis on craftsmanship and materials rather than high gloss or ornament. The combination of wood, cane, and brass gives the piece versatility, allowing it to sit comfortably in midcentury, coastal, or more eclectic interiors. Overall, this is a well-balanced and authentic McGuire desk...
Brass
$4,118
H 31.5 in W 72.45 in D 32.68 in
Vivai del Sud Large Desk or Dining Table in Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker, Italy 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular large desk or dining table in bamboo, rattan, and hand-woven wicker. This charming and unique organic table was designed by Vivai del Sud and produced in Italy during the...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
$3,953Sale Price|40% Off
H 29.14 in W 78.75 in D 39.38 in
Amazing Italian Desk or Dining Table by Guglielmo Ulrich
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful organic shaped walnut base and silvered glass top. I was not able to get a good picture of the top.
Walnut
McGuire Whitewash Oak Writing Desk and Chair
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Beautiful 1970’s McGuire writing desk and chair design by Elinor McGuire. The desk is solid whitewashed oak, leather top with brass bamboo pull...
Brass
Sold
H 29.75 in W 48 in D 24 in
McGuire Rattan and Midcentury Oak Writing Desk with Three Drawer and Saber Legs
By John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
A McGuire rattan and oak writing desk from the Midcentury period, with three drawers and saber legs. This exquisite McGuire rattan and oak writing desk from the Midcentury period emb...
Rattan, Oak
Sold
H 27.96 in W 33.47 in D 18.51 in
Elinor and John McGuire set for Lyda Levi: desk with bamboo director’s chair
By John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
Elinor and John McGuire set for Lyda Levi: desk with bamboo director’s chair, leather bindings, brass and canvas details. San Francisco 1970s. Pr...
Brass
China red lacquered desk, Elinor and John McGuire for Lyda Levi
By John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
Elinor and John Mc Guire desk for Lyda Levi in China red lacquered wood and Vienna straw with brass details. Product details Dimensions: 124 W x 75 H x 60 D cm
Brass
Elinor McGuire Model 226c Caned Desk
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
This exquisite design by Elinor McGuire for McGuire of San Fransisco is an exercise in subtle beauty and refined detailing. With a body covered in cane, an oak top, slightly splayed ...
Brass