13/10/2026
And now for some Finnish brutalism on the Huisraad floor.
The El Rancho armchair and ottoman is a set designed in the 1970s by the Finnish interior architect Maija Ruoslahti and produced in Finland by Kalustekiila. Ruoslahti also designed the celebrated Euroform seating in the 1960s, and El Rancho belongs to the later part of her furniture work. Original El Rancho pieces are rarely seen today, which makes a complete armchair and ottoman set an unusual find.
The frame is built from cylindrical solid wood posts joined by chromed steel collars and rails, and the weight of the timber against the bright metal gives the set its strong architectural presence. The plush back and seat cushions rest on upholstered belts, which pass behind the back and under the seat and fasten to the frame with studs. The buttoned back and rolled arms are upholstered in a mottled brown, and the ottoman repeats the same wooden legs, chrome detailing and belted base, so that the two pieces read clearly as a pair.
The set is in excellent condition. It has been fully restored and reupholstered in new vegan leather.
The armchair measures 86 x 86 x 78 cm (h) with a seat height of 43 cm, and the ottoman measures 71 x 71 x 43 cm (h).
Available online in our chairs section, or can be viewed at our premises in Parow East.
