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.
$895 / set
H 38 in W 18.5 in D 25 in
Hollywood Regency British Colonial Burnt Bamboo Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 4
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Hollywood Regency British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo Cane Dining Side Chairs attribu...
Bamboo, Cane
$2,850 / set
H 35.5 in W 21 in D 17 in
Vintage Coastal McGuire Rattan and Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 4
By McGuire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your dining experience with this exceptional set of four vintage dining chairs by the renowned McGuire Furniture company. Embodying a sophisticated coastal aesthetic, these chairs showcase the masterful use of rattan and cane McGuire is celebrated for, featuring sturdy frames accented with intricate wrapped joinery. The design strikes a perfect balance between relaxed, organic texture and refined elegance, making them a standout addition. Ideal for a sun-drenched dining room, a chic breakfast nook, or even repurposed as stylish accent chairs in a living room or office, this set brings timeless designer quality and natural charm to any interior. This vintage McGuire set is presented in great vintage condition, displaying minor scuffs and blemishes that are consistent with their age and history, enhancing their authentic appeal. Each chair measures approximately 21 inches wide, 20 inches deep (with a seat depth of 17 inches), and 35.5 inches high, featuring a comfortable seat height of 19.5 inches. Their versatile form factor complements a range of decor styles, from classic coastal and bohemian chic to Hollywood Regency or mid-century modern-inspired spaces. Don't miss the chance to own a piece of design history – acquire this beautiful McGuire dining chair set...
Upholstery, 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
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 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
$1,965 / set
H 49.22 in W 19.69 in D 21.26 in
4 faux bamboo chinoisery highback dining chairs with cane webbing, 1970s
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Set of four Chinoiserie dining chairs executed in walnut with woven cane backrests and bamboo-form frames from the 1970s Reflecting the enduring influence of Asian-inspired design o...
Bamboo
$3,250 / set
H 37.5 in W 21.25 in D 19 in
Set of Six Pierce Martin Modern Bamboo and Rattan Wrapped Arm Chairs
By Pierce Martin
Located in Astoria, NY
Set of Six Pierce Martin Modern Bamboo and Rattan Wrapped Arm Chairs, with beige upholstered seat cushions, "Pierce Martin" label to undersides. 37.5" H x 21.25" W x 19" D; seat: 19...
Upholstery, Bamboo, 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
$5,800 / set
H 44 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
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
$718Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 20.87 in D 12.21 in
Faux Bamboo Cane Hollywood Regency Dining Chairs
By French House & Garden
Located in Sherborne, GB
A set of four superb French dining chairs, in a lacquered wood finish. These are styled in faux bamboo with a white cane work seat and sides. These chairs sit with a generous seat (w...
Beech
Baker Furniture British Colonial Armchairs, Set of Four
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful set of four British Colonial, Early American, or Victorian style armchairs, club chairs, or dining captain chairs By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, Cir...
Upholstery, Maple
Ferguson Copeland Modern Regency Dining Armchairs, Set of Six
By Ferguson Copeland
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six modern Regency style dining armchairs By Ferguson Copeland USA, Late 20th century Elegant carved wood frames in gray finish, with cream upholstered seats and ...
Upholstery, Wood
Hekman Furniture Regency Faux Bamboo Armchairs, Pair
By Hekman Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of English Regency style armchairs or tub chairs By Hekman Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Carved bamboo form walnut frames, with cane seats, and removable upholstered ...
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo, Cane, Walnut
John Wisner Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Bamboo Rattan Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of mid-century Hollywood Regency Organic Modern armless lounge chairs By John Wisner for Ficks Reed, "Far Horizons" Collection USA, 1950s Bamboo rattan frames, wit...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Henredon Modern Art Deco Carved Oak Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding set of four modern Art Deco style dining chairs By Henredon USA, Circa 1980s Carved pickled oak frames, with upholstered seats. Measures: 21"W x 25"D x 42"H. Seat ...
Upholstery, Oak
Henry Olko for Willow and Reed Sculpted Rattan and Cane Throne Chairs, Pair
By Henry Olko, Willow and Reed
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of mid-century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie high back throne chairs or lounge chairs By Henry Olko for Willow and Reed, ...
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
