McGuire Furniture Company Desks and Writing Tables
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.
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Creator: McGuire Furniture Company
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern McGuire Furniture Company Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
McGuire Whitewash Oak Writing Desk and Chair
By John and Elinor McGuire, 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...
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1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage McGuire Furniture Company Desks and Writing Tables
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Brass
$6,000 / set
Elinor McGuire Model 226c Writing Desk
By John and Elinor McGuire, 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, slightly splayed legs, and so...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage McGuire Furniture Company Desks and Writing Tables
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McGuire Bamboo and Lucite Desk
Chair, 1980
By McGuire
Located in Chicago, IL
McGuire Bamboo and Lucite Desk & Chair, 1980’s. Original. There is a small chip on the underside of glass.
Desk Measures 28.5” tall 40.5” wide 22.5” deep, glass .5” thick 54” long ...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage McGuire Furniture Company Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Glass, Lucite
$4,200 / set
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Mcguire Furniture Company desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
McGuire Furniture Company desks and writing tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of McGuire Furniture Company desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables by McGuire Furniture Company were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by John Van Koert, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, and John Stuart. Prices for McGuire Furniture Company desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,912 and can go as high as $6,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,500.
Questions About McGuire Furniture Company Desks and Writing Tables
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To identify McGuire furniture, first examine it for any markings. Many pieces bear a serial number, which often consists of seven digits in an “X,XXX,XXX” format. By cross-referencing the serial number on your item with information shared on trusted online resources, you can typically learn the age, style name and other information about your piece. Even pieces without the McGuire name usually bear a maker's mark. These markings can also be useful for dating your furniture, as you can compare the marks on your items to images featured in online galleries and catalogues. Should you need any assistance with the identification process, use the services of a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of McGuire furniture.
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