A species of banana native to the Philippines sometimes referred to as "BacBac". This hard fiber is a tree-like vine prized for its exceptional strength and flexibility; it is easily replenished, renewing itself every 3-6 months. Naturally thin abaca vines are harvested and woven onto chair frames. Once dried and sealed, abaca seats are incredibly durable and lend a natural beauty to contemporary forms.
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The most abundant metal in the Earth's crust, aluminum is a durable, lightweight, malleable metal with a proven track record in the out-of-doors, now used for select McGuire indoor applications. Crafting the intricate aluminum forms is a labor-intensive process in precision, yielding a strong, lightweight form. It is 100% recyclable without any loss of its natural qualities.
Technically a grass, bamboo has a hollow plant stem and crosswise membranes that form its distinct 'nodes'. It is the fastest-growing, most replenishable plant on Earth. Bamboo's long life makes it a Chinese symbol of longevity; in India, it is a symbol of friendship; in Vietnam, it represents values embedded in their culture; straightforwardness, meticulousness, and optimism.
McGuire imports choice Black and the rarest, Mottled 'Shina Chiku' from Japan and China.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties. Brass has higher malleability than bronze or zinc. The relatively low melting point of brass (900 to 940°C, depending on composition) and its flow characteristics make it a relatively easy material to cast. We use it as a material of choice because of the beautiful patinas that occur from oxidization - either naturally or through an oxidation process.
The ceramic used to create McGuire Furniture pieces is a very durable, vitreous stoneware casting body that has been fired to 2165 Fahrenheit.
This technique dates back to the Byzantine Empire. It is a multi-step process requiring skill, dexterity and patience.
This natural material is a craft fiber twisted around a wire forming a paper thread. Danish Cord is a natural material first brought to the forefront of design by Hans Wegner in the mid-20th century. It continues to add warmth and texture to contemporary furniture design. Artisans carefully weave twisted, 3 ply paper material over a wire cord, creating graphic patterns. Left untreated, Danish Cord will soften and patina. It is also able to accept finishes and stains or a clear topcoat.
A vitreous, usually opaque coating that can be either protective or decorative that is then baked onto metal, glass or ceramic ware.
Rattan reacts very well to McGuire's stained and painted finishes. The low VOC (volatile organic compound) pigmented stains accent and highlight grain definition and natural beauty rather than mask it. These stains meet the highest standards in the finishing industry for VOC. After the stain is applied by hand, it is sealed and sanded before being finishes with a topcoat that acts as a protective layer.
A unique process in which the traditional Peking glass technique is utilized; hollow glass is formed by many layers, and jade carvers finish by shaping and polishing. The glassblower begins with a piece of molten glass that is blown and formed into an initial shape. While still molten, another layer of molten glass is added, up to seven layers. Once completed, the glass vessel must cool very slowly using progressively cooler kilns over a period of several days. Depending on the form, jade carvers then cut to shape or polish to provide distinct silhouettes and luster.
Featured weave of most of our (woven rattan caned) chairs, the pattern resembles the cross section cell pattern of a honeycomb.
Lacquer is a highly regarded art form and has been used in China since the Shang Dynasty (1600 B.C. - 1100 B.C.). The term 'lacquer' refers to the name of the substance as well as the technique. True organic lacquer, (used by McGuire), is made of translucent sap collected from trees indigenous to East Asia. After the trees are tapped, sap is boiled and strained to remove impurities and to prepare it for use as a coating. Various substances, often closely guarded 'recipes', are added to the lacquer as colorants. Once prepared, the lacquer is applied in thin layers multiple times, waiting for each layer to cure for at least 24 hours before the next layer is applied. McGuire lacquer pieces are made using 60 to 100 coats of lacquer, applied over a wood or copper base. They can then be polished smooth or even carved.
McGuire's prized silver and gold leaf processes include 12 steps to achieve the expert craftsmanship and finish. All are completed by hand, a very labor-intensive process. Small squares of silver or gold leaf are adhered to the entirety of a rattan frame. Excess leafing is brushed off, exposing portions of rattan. Squares of leafing are adhered and sanded off repeatedly until the frame is completely covered in multiple layers before the frame is sprayed with a top coat to achieve a distinctive shine.
Bovine skin that has been tanned and dyed to enhance the material's durability and flexibility. Our hand-selected hides are tanned with salts to cure the hide and stabilize the shape, and then infused with different colors through dying. Because the leather is a natural product, each hide will have its own unique characteristics including variation in color, grain and natural markings; however, leather possesses the distinction of graceful aging.
A solid jungle vine, flexible and tough, that never splinters or breaks. Superficially similar to bamboo, but distinct in that the stems are solid, rather than hollow. Growing rattan requires structural support; while bamboo can grow on its own, rattan cannot. McGuire has fashioned classic rattan designs that have become icons of the company in form and material. Paired with signature rawhide bindings, McGuire sets the standard for the finest rattan furniture available today.
An animal skin that has not been exposed to tanning, similar to parchment. When wet, it is pulled around dowelled joints and, as the drying rawhide shrinks, a bond that will never loosen. Inspired by the sturdy seat of the Oregon Trail chair, the McGuire's perfected the use of rawhide in the late 1940's, turning this essential material and method into a signature design statement.
Repoussé, the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief into sheet metal, dates back to 800BC, and in Chinese historical context, can be found as early as the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.). This laborious technique involves using a hammer and various shaping tools. Form and design are achieved by working on both sides of the sheet metal. Sections in relief are worked from the interior while depressed or concave sections are worked from the exterior. Pitch, a material similar to putty, is used as a filler for hollow forms, or to hold sheet metal in place while the artist works on the design. The pitch absorbs the blows from the hammer and provides proper resistance for the artist to execute the design.
McGuire Solid Teak, plantation grown Tectona Grandis, is one of the world's most durable and solid grained woods. Teak reacts to the elements better than any other wood which is why it is used for sailboats and yachts but it will naturally fade to grey without regular maintenance. Please see the Product Care section to learn how to care for your teak as all teak ships from McGuire unoiled.
A natural material that accents the organic beauty of rattan and bamboo, stone is a durable and easily customizable material used for many of our table tops. Each piece is hand-chosen from our partner quarries; from Fossil, St. Petersburg and Halila limestone to marble and granite.
Fabrics comprised of a network of natural or artificial fibers. They are formed by weaving fibers together. McGuire Performance Fabrics are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
McGuire prides itself on upholstery details. French seam or welted, box-edge or knife-edge, expert artisans finish each chair like fashion couture: no detail left undone. Through the use of fine quality materials, from the right decks and springs to the finest of fill and fabric, upholstery at McGuire is the craftsmanship that enhances the form of every frame.
An infinitely renewable natural resource that self-replenishes every two to four weeks. Invasive if not harvested from waterways, water hyacinth is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. It also produces large quantities of seeds, which are viable up to thirty years. Once harvested and dried, artisans hand weave or braid onto furniture frames. It is a durable material that offers a dramatic texture to sleek shapes.
Weaving is an essential McGuire process used to create timeless design; one that has been perfected for strength, beauty and durability. From woven peel that is built onto the frame (Jacques Garcia Collection) to various caning techniques (Barbara Barry and McGuire Collections), there is great skill and time required to achieve this exacting technique.
A thin surface layer of carefully chosen wood bonded to a common base material.
