PRESS RELEASE

McGuire Furniture Company has introduced stunning new designs by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. The introduction includes sophisticated, contemporary seating and tables for residential and contract design. These simple, unadorned creations represent a continuation of Diaz-Azcuy's body of work for McGuire, introduced to wide acclaim in 1996. The designs epitomize McGuire's evolution of classic forms based on the architectural point of view of this world-renowned designer. Diaz-Azcuy's eye for architectural elements and reverence for the highest quality materials is reflected in McGuire's latest offering. Each clean, artistic silhouette marries the designer's appreciation for classic forms and desire for modern simplicity. All told, Diaz-Azcuy brings 22 inspirational new designs to McGuire in keeping with the company's direction of creating furniture for contemporary living. The group includes an array of dining and occasional chairs, lounge furniture, dining tables and occasional pieces.

Dining and Occasional Chairs
Elegant and eclectic, the Salon dining chair imbues the designer's attention to subtle detail. The back features a center rattan ring inset with either woven rattan core or a fully upholstered cushion with double welting. This center ring is framed by a curved rattan top rail and curved rattan side members that terminate as saber back legs. The dining chair features gently sloping armrests. A substantial seat cushion is supported by a reeded deck, while an x-form stretcher is mounted high under the seat to give the illusion of floating.

Displaying a handsome back of horizontal rattan members, the Scala dining chair is generously scaled and answers the call for high-back designs in residential and contract installations. The open, ladder-back detail gives this design a casual elegance, while the graduating curve of each horizontal spindle affords complete comfort.

Also with an eye towards comfort, the Nuova dining chair is as inviting as a fully upholstered design yet maintains the lightness of an exposed frame. A tall, spoon-shaped, fully upholstered back is paired with a deep upholstered seat - both ideal canvases for bold, patterned fabrics. Flared front and back legs are joined by an x-form stretcher, while the same elegant lines are found on the flared arms of the Nuova arm chair.

While rattan remains McGuire's hallmark medium, the company continues to evolve its product line. Two new chairs by Diaz-Azcuy feature solid wood construction and detail. With the curvature of its slanted back and the softness of doubled caning, the Villa dining chair offers both a simple, modern profile and unexpected comfort. The design is ideal as a dining or occasional chair, or when dressed in its full slipcover and seat pad, as a petit lounge chair.

The scale and proportion of Diaz-Azcuy's new designs are consistent with many of his original creations for McGuire, reflecting the popularity of these forbearers. The new Umbria dining chair once again recalls elegant Italian lounge furniture of the 1920s. Yet instead of the original upholstered piece with rattan legs, this new design features a fully woven shell over a wood frame. The barrel back and scoop arms terminate in square, tapered wood legs to balance the weight of the design. Scaled for either dining or occasional seating, the Umbria is both elegant and practical.

Lounge Seating
According to Diaz-Azcuy, "Simplicity is the latest expression of McGuire. Each design is distinct for its structural qualities rather than any ornamentation." Nowhere is this more evident than in the new Toscana rattan lounge chair. This classic design relies on sweeping rattan arms, a relaxed sloping back and a double rattan deck for its simplicity to create a chair that transcends time. A generous, boxed seat and a fitted back cushion gives this design its luxurious comfort, especially when paired with its matching square ottoman.

In response to market demand for sectionals, McGuire called upon Diaz-Azcuy to create a modern version of this type of seating. By insisting on functionality and flexibility, he created three individual pieces that can be used in any combination to accommodate room size and configuration. The Loggia group features a corner lounge chair with side arm, an armless chair and an ottoman - all designed to stand alone or combine as lounge seating. These exuberant designs have a square frame of completely woven cane and round, wood feet for contrast. The closed-weave pattern is available in either a dark or light finish. The deep, boxed cushions and gently curved arm and back rests offer ideal comfort. The ottoman can be used to create the look of an open-back sofa or be used as an elegant cocktail table.

Dining Tables
The WestWeek 2001 presentation marked McGuire's largest introduction of dining tables to date. Four magnificent designs by Diaz-Azcuy greatly expand the company's repertoire in pedestal and expandable dining tables.

The character of the Aurora table is expressed in its dramatic, fan-like pedestal base. This bold design, available in a light or dark finish, is surmounted by a heavy, maple top displaying a starburst pattern, encircled by a single ring of maple.

Another round dining table made distinct for its pedestal base is the Aria. This elegant yet rather whimsical silhouette features a ring of curved and tapering fins that connect the top to the lower round base. The top displays a starburst pattern. Light reflected through this table base gives the illusion of weightlessness and movement.

The Palazzo dining table pairs another remarkable base with a rectangular top. Four C-shaped legs - each a full three and a half inches square - are joined by a lower square stretcher. This extension table includes two extra leaves. It also makes an impressive desk or conference table.

In contrast, the Prisma octagonal dining table is reminiscent of McGuire's celebrated rattan and bamboo designs, featuring a tapered pedestal base. All eight sides of the base feature a grid of three maple panels, graduating in size from top to bottom, and each framed by raised, wood moldings. Inspired by 18th century Oriental designs, the based is supported by eight feet to elevate the design off the floor. The table base is paired with an octagonal glass top.

McGuire's new maple dining tables are all available in a dark and light finish.

Occasional Tables
Finally, Diaz-Azcuy has designed a stylish yet innovative trio of occasional tables. The Ventana square cocktail table, square side table and rectangular console table are supported by four Chinese splayed legs. One immediately notices that the designs are free of corner legs, moved instead to the center of each side. According to the designer, this not only creates a lightness of scale, it eliminates the common problem of kicking the corner of occasional tables. A glass top is designed to rest on the tables, and each of the designs have a lower stretcher featuring a maze or trelliage pattern.

The latest designs by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy for McGuire offer a perfect balance of modern elegance and timeless sensibility. By designing such fresh, new and contemporary pieces, this celebrated designer continues the evolution of McGuire.

McGuire furniture is available at the McGuire showroom in San Francisco, at select Baker Knapp & Tubbs showrooms and other fine wholesale showrooms nationwide.