In its sleek credenzas, chic mirrored cabinets and sculptural dining tables, vintage Ello furniture encapsulates the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood Regency style.
Ello founder Lothar H. Molton (1926-2012) took his family and fled Nazi-occupied Germany and established his furniture company in Chicago, Illinois, in 1956 as a garage operation. In 1968, the company moved to the renowned furniture town of Rockford, where many of the country's most well-known producers once set up manufacturing operations. Over the next four decades, Ello enjoyed great success as a producer of furniture and an importer, growing into a 150,000-square-foot warehouse and a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing plant.
Though more often featuring an integration of flashy brass accents and materials such as travertine versus the dark woods and clean lines associated with mid-century modern design, Ello furniture was known in its heyday for being as practical as it was stylish. The company's motto was "Contemporary Furniture of Distinction," and their designs were highly functional with just the right amount of flair for the modern home.
In 1976, the Fort Lauderdale News and Sun-Sentinel described an Ello modular wall unit as "a rare combination of function plus spectacular glamour." Ello also collaborated with well-known designers of the era, like O.B. Solie. During the 1970s, Solie worked with mirrored glass, bronze, oak and more to design a range of tallboys, chests, sideboards and other pieces that boasted gilt brass escutcheons and brushed chrome drawer pulls.
In its prime, Ello held annual inventory clearance sales that attracted hundreds of customers. People lined up around the warehouse, sometimes camping out days in advance. Sales started to become more frequent, and in 2010, Ello closed its doors. In 2011, they auctioned off the rest of their merchandise.
Today vintage Ello furniture continues to enjoy popularity for its bold but practical designs.
On 1stDibs, find Ello case pieces, tables and bedroom furniture.
Ello Persian Red Travertine and Brass Sideboard
By O.B. Solie, Ello Furniture
Located in Hanover, MA
Trophy piece. Uber rare. Six door sideboard designed by O. B. Solie for Ello Furniture. Top and door faces clad in polished red Persian travertine marble set in a herringbone pattern...
Travertine, Marble, Brass
Vladimir Kagan Burl Wood Wall Unit Cabinet Sideboard
By Vladimir Kagan, Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern burl wood liquor cabinet bar, display cabinet or sideboard by V. Kagan. Measures: 8' Tall.
Tall Mid Century Modern Brass and Glass Mastercraft Vitrine Cabinet
By Mastercraft
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous brass and glass tall showcase with 4 thick glass shelves etched for showing plates. Shelves are adjustable. Two glass doors each hung on 4 hinge...
Brass
$1,399Sale Price|20% Off
H 59.45 in W 29.14 in D 13 in
Hollywood Regency Italian Chrome and Brass Etagere by Renato Zevi, 1970s
By Renato Zevi
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Hollywood Regency etagere or display piece. Design by Renato Zevi. Striking Italian design from the 1970s. Original chrome and brass frame with five glass shelves. This ...
Brass, Chrome
Brass and Glass Etagere or bookcase . Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Etagere or bookcase .Brass 4 tier . Clear Glass tops . Good quality piece . comes with Just the right amount of patine .
Brass
vintage display cabinet sideboard 1950s Swedish
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage display cabinet sideboard 1950s Swedish period 1950s design unknown Sweden condition good light signs of wear/patina size 130 x 130 x 28 (hxwxd) details wood; gla...
Glass, Wood
Ello Herringbone Travertine & Chrome Credenza
By Ello Furniture
Located in Denton, TX
Ello Petite Herringbone design Travertine & Chrome Credenza. dual interior cabinets with adjustable shelf.
Travertine, Chrome
$2,520Sale Price|40% Off
H 27.5 in W 35.75 in D 20.75 in
1970's Brass and Mirror Three Door Cabinet by Ello
By Ello Furniture
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This 1970s postmodern bronze and polished metal mirror cabinet by Ello features three-panel mirror doors and a big interior storage space. The metal has some dings and a small amount of pitting, but the piece's wear (consistent with age) does not take away from the fabulous design. The cabinet has been modified to have sockets in the side cabinet for easy access and cord management; the photos are shown above. Ello Furniture was founded in Chicago by Lothar Molton in 1956. Ello’s motto was Contemporary Furniture of...
Metal, Brass
1970s Ello Mirrored Sideboard by O. B. Solie
By O.B. Solie
Located in Chicago, US
Mirrored sideboard cabinet designed by O. B. Solie for Ello in the 1970s as part of their "Reflections" collection. The cabinet is clad in mirror-polished stainless steel sheet and h...
Mirror
$4,592
H 78.75 in W 50.01 in D 20.87 in
19th Century Tyrol Credenza Sideboard, Solid Wood, Restored and Wax Finished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Tyrol mountain decor a wonderful antique country sideboard with vetrine in solid fir of 19th century Measures cm: H 95\200 W 127 D 53.
Wood
Elegant french brass and glass étagère, France 1960
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant French Brass and Glass Étagère, 1960s Sophisticated and minimal, this decorative étagère was crafted in France in the 1960s. The structure is made of polished brass with clea...
Brass
Pair of Brass and Frosted Glass Etageres
By Maison Jansen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of reeded columnar brass and frosted glass Illuminated etageres. Clearance between shelves starting from bottom are 15.5" 14.5" 13.5"
Brass
$100,806
H 88.19 in W 59.06 in D 17.33 in
16th Century Italy Ligurian Carved Oak and Chestnut Credenza Bambocci Sideboard
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Valuable ancient noble 16th century, Italy Ligurian carved oak and chestnut credenza Bambocci, sideboard with display cabinet. All original with exception ...
Chestnut, Oak
Ello Brass & Mirror Triple Front Vitrine
By O.B. Solie, Ello Furniture
Located in Hanover, MA
Brass and mirror three section illuminated curio display showcase designed by O. B. Solie in 1986 for Ello Furniture Manufacturing Corp. of Rockford, IL as part of the LaCage Collect...
Brass
Pair of Quarter Round Etageres by Ello
By Ello Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Pair of quarter round etageres by Ello. Arranged here to form one half round shelving unit. They are finished in glossy black with curved smoked gl...
Brass