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.
Vintage McGuire Target Back Rattan Dining Chairs - Set Of 6
By McGuire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant set of six vintage Target Back dining chairs by McGuire exemplifies the brand’s celebrated mastery of natural materials and timeless design. Crafted from rattan and cane...
Natural Fiber, Cane, Rattan
Set of Six McGuire Woven Rattan Peel Dining Chairs
By McGuire, John and Elinor 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
$6,000 / set
H 34 in W 19 in D 23 in
Set of 6 Mid Century Modern McGuire Cane 7 Rattan Dining Chairs MINT
By McGuire
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of 6 Mid Century Modern McGuire Cane 7 Rattan Dining Chairs MINT
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
$4,800 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.84 in D 23.63 in
Danish Modern, Set of 6 Bamboo / Rattan Dining Chairs by Robert Wengler, 1930s
By Robert Wengler
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful and rare set of 6 Danish armchairs / dining chairs by renowned Copenhagen wicker maker R. Wengler. Crafted in bamboo and rattan, the chairs feature elegant curved armrest...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$3,796 / set
H 37.8 in W 18.12 in D 20.48 in
MCM Rattan / Cane Dining Table & 6 x Chippendale Style Chairs, Angraves 1970s
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Mid Cent Rattan / Cane Dining Table & 6 x Chippendale Style Dining Chairs, 1970s Magnificent mid century rattan / Cane set of six vintage Chinese Chippendale style dining chairs plus matching table by ‘Angraves’ from the “Invincible” range. Brown in colour. The Table has a 10mm Glass top with polished edges. The chairs and table have cane lapping on all joints and other areas in abundance, the seats of the chairs are heavily woven wicker. In great condition Plaque reading: Angraves, Invincible, Brook Street, Thurmaston, North Leicester Excellent quality and craftsmanship, in great condition. Please note these are made from natural materials, so they may differ slightly in finish and colour. Angraves of Leicester: manufactured high class cane furniture in Britain for almost a century. From 1912 through to 2011, when the company along with its highly skilled craftsmen were bought out by Soane Britain...
Cane, Rattan
$3,950 / set
H 36 in W 18 in D 17 in
Vintage Boho Henry Olko for Willow and Reed Bent Rattan Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Willow and Reed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional set of six dining chairs, designed by the celebrated Henry Olko for Willow & Reed, is a masterclass in 1970s organic modernism. Crafted from high-quality bent rattan...
Fabric, Rattan
$17,500 / set
H 36 in W 26 in D 25 in
Vintage Set of 10 Woven Cane Rattan Dining Arm Chairs Armchairs Restored
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of 10 vintage double cane woven rattan arm chairs. Additional chairs available if needed, please Inquire. These have been completely restored. Newly stained and clear coat lacque...
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
Set of Eight Elinor McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Dining Chairs
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A set of eight genuine McGuire organic modern rattan dining chairs featuring of a pair of arm chairs and six side chairs. These impeccably crafted rattan chairs display an upholstere...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
$7,600 / set
H 33.5 in W 20.5 in D 21 in
Set of Six Wicker and Iron dining chairs by Frederic Weinberg, 1950's
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Set of six Frederic Weinberg wicker and wrought iron chairs. Two armchairs and four side chairs. Sold as a set. USA, 1950's. Wicker has been recently repaired and reinforced. One fin...
Iron, Wrought Iron
$1,357 / set
H 33.86 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Wicker Chairs attributed Frederick Weinberg, 1960s, Set of 6
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage wrought iron and wicker bistro/dining chairs attributed Frederick Weinberg. Elegant black wrought frame with a curvy wicker seat and golden details. Very sturdy chairs good...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Vintage Rattan Dining Set with Six Chairs attributed to McGuire
By John McGuire
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage Rattan dining room set attributed to John McGuire consisting of glass topped rattan dining table and six dining chairs. There a...
Rattan, Glass
Set of Six Milling Road by Baker Furniture Rattan Dining Chairs
By Milling Road
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of Six Milling Road by Baker Furniture Rattan Dining Chairs. The set consists of two armchairs and four side chairs. Beautiful set in rattan, the chairs are generously proportion...
Rattan
Vintage Six Piece Rattan Set
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Gorgeous Vintage Rattan Barrel Back Chairs with accompanying ottoman and side tables. In nice vintage condition with minimal surface blemishe...
Rattan
Set Of Four Vintage Woven Wicker Chairs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of Four Vintage Woven Wicker Chairs. A nice compact design making them an ideal complement for any setting. Vintage wicker chairs can add charm and character to various interior...
Wicker, Wood
Set of Eight Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Chrome and Cane Dining Chairs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of eight striking high back but very comfortable dining chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. The set consists of six side chairs and two arm chairs. The pressed cane agains...
Chrome
Pair of Vintage Cerused Rattan Chairs
By Ficks Reed
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of Vintage Cerused Rattan Chairs with a single matching footstool attributed to Ficks Reed. Extremely comfortable and generous proportions with floral upholstered cushions that ...
Fabric, Rattan
