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.
$14,500
H 29.5 in Dm 60 in
Elegant Restored Vintage Circular Dining Table by McGuire - 44" Diameter Base
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional circular dining or center table by McGuire, circa 1990. The table base is 44 inches in diameter. Stout, heavy steel frame construction veneered in bamboo; leather wra...
Steel
Large Elegant Restored Vintage Circular Dining or Center Table by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional restored large circular dining or center table by McGuire, circa 1980. Stout, heavy steel frame construction veneered in bamboo; leather wrapped detail in the iconic M...
Steel
$6,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in Dm 69 in
McGuire Style Round Faux Bamboo Wood Mid-Century Modern Dining Table American
By McGuire
Located in Miami, FL
Fully restored Mid-Century Modern dining table, conference table or center table in dark brown finish, styled after McGuire. It is made out of solid wood and is quite heavy. We do no...
Metal
Vintage Bundled Rattan Dining Table Pedestal After McGuire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental vintage dining table pedestal showcases the iconic "bundled" aesthetic famously popularized by McGuire of San Francisco. Masterfully constructed from solid rattan pol...
Hide, Wicker, Rattan
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 52 in D 52 in
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Hexagonal Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing genuine McGuire organic modern bamboo rattan dining table or center table featuring a hexagonal base. Genuine McGuire, not a reproduction with an iron frame painted golden gate orange...
Iron
Vintage Bundled Rattan Dining Table Pedestal After McGuire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage dining table pedestal pays homage to the iconic bundled rattan aesthetic pioneered by McGuire of San Francisco. Featuring a sophisticated dark tobacco finish, t...
Hide, Rattan
McGuire Organic Modern Octagonal Blonde Bamboo Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A monumental bespoke organic modern octagonal dining table crafted in the California coastal style by McGuire artisans in San Francisco, California. The table features a large and sculptural iron base painted Golden Gate orange for authenticity. The base is constructed with eight leg columns of bundled bamboo, each comprised of multiple poles lashed together ending with a height adjustable foot. The table is crafted in a octagonal configuration linked by diagonal stretchers radiating inwards, creating a mandala-like wheel geometry when viewed from above. The joinery is hand-tied with an attractive cream toned leather rawhide lacing at every joint. The table is very heavy and sturdy having excellent joinery and craftsmanship. The bamboo itself is has a rich variegated tortoiseshell finish in rich tones of light brown, blonde, and amber with a desirable aged patina. The table is topped by a rare large, and thick piece of McGuire octagonal...
Iron
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Square Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire bamboo rattan dining table made in the California organic modern style. The table features a rare, bespoke glazed fi...
Iron
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rectangular Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning bamboo rectangular dining table made in the California organic modern style by McGuire. This is a genuine McGuire model # MCBA22 with an iron frame painted golden gate orange for authenticity. The table features a geometric design base measuring 46 inches wide and 21 inches deep covered with tobacco colored bamboo poles...
Iron
McGuire Organic Modern Oval Bamboo Rattan Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire bamboo rattan dining table made in the California coastal organic modern style. The table features a large elongated...
Iron
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Dining Table Base for Glass Top
By John McGuire, McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A natural beauty. Genuine McGuire organic modern seven-leg bamboo dining table base for glass tabletop. Designed by John McGuire, this rare circa 1970s table base, crafted entirely b...
Iron
McGuire Organic Modern Rectangular Bamboo Dining Table Base for Glass Top
By McGuire, John McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
McGuire Organic Modern Rectangular Bamboo Dining Table Base for Glass Top (not included) designed by John McGuire. Created for use with a rectangular glass top, the base features eig...
Iron
McGuire Console Table with Six Legs in Light Bamboo with Stone Top, 2 Available
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Genuine McGuire Organic Modern Console Table with Six Legs, in Light Bamboo with a Stone Top. Enjoy the natural beauty of bamboo in this rectangular console table designed by breakth...
Stone
Genuine McGuire Organic Modern Palasan Rattan Pedestal Dining Table Base, Marked
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A genuine McGuire organic modern rattan pedestal dining table base, designed for use with a round glass tabletop. This beautiful piece is from McGuire's Palasan Collection, featuring...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Pair of McGuire Organic Modern X-Base Rattan End Tables, Glass Tops included
By McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of genuine McGuire organic modern rattan bamboo end tables. The square end tables or side tables feature a rattan frame with an x-base, trefoil brass leg caps and clear glass to...
Brass
McGuire Organic Modern Round Glass and Rattan Pedestal Dining Table
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Designed for use with a glass top, this bamboo rattan pedestal dining table base is marked McGuire San Francisco and has the original cerused washed finish. The organic modern base i...
Rattan, Leather, Glass, Bamboo
