The ultimate multi-hyphenate, Kipp Stewart counted painting, photography, architecture and furniture design among his talents. Known to furniture obsessives for the Declaration series he codesigned for North Carolina’s Drexel Furniture, Stewart was actually born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1928 and is most commonly associated with mid-century design movements of his adopted home state of California. There, in 1972, Stewart designed the Ventana Big Sur, a luxury resort near Montecito for which he oversaw architecture, planning, furniture and interior design across 160 acres of land.
By the time Stewart spearheaded the Ventana, he was already well versed in furniture design. After briefly serving in the U.S. Navy as a teenager, Stewart enrolled at the Chouinard Art Institute (present-day CalArts) in Los Angeles.
By the time he graduated, Stewart was steeped in the world of modern seating design, experimenting with new chair models that bridged form and function. Charles and Ray Eames were important influences on his early work, which included a chrome-framed lounge chair whose reclined shape bears a striking resemblance to the Eameses’ iconic lounge.
In the late 1950s, Stewart partnered with another West Coast furniture designer, Stewart MacDougall, on a line of modern furniture for Drexel. (The pair were also producing case pieces and more for Glenn of California.)
Drexel soon unveiled Stewart and McDougall’s Declaration line, which was constructed entirely of natural walnut and featured the choice of white porcelain or brass drawer pulls and cabinet door handles. Although its stylish credenzas and other pieces reflect the kind of slim-lined, low-slung silhouettes for which mid-century design has become known, there are also elements that nod to earlier American and European furniture design, such as the dining chairs whose flattened spindle backs recall Shaker and Windsor chair design, distinguishing them from the modern designs becoming prolific in Scandinavia at the time.
The Declaration pieces were so indicative of a particularly American style, in fact, that several items from the collection were selected by the U.S. government to represent the country at the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958.
While Stewart found success as a painter and with his Ventana hotel project — and had also designed chairs, chests and more for Directional — the Drexel Declaration line is his best-known furniture collection and remains highly sought after by collectors today.
Find a wide range of vintage Kipp Stewart furniture on 1stDibs, including dining room chairs, end tables and more.
$3,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pr. Barcelona Style Chairs by Kipp Stewart for Drexel
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of Barcelona style lounge chairs, designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel. Like the iconic Mies chair, but the American designed and made version. These chairs are actually mu...
Chrome
Kipp Stewart Aluminum Patio Lounge Chair for Terra
By Kipp Stewart, Terra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair by Kipp Stewart for Terra of California, USA, c.1970s. The lounge chair features an aluminum tube frame with applied faux patina and new cotton rope that has been woven ...
Aluminum
Kipp Stewart Lounge Chairs and Ottoman Refinished & Reupholstered In Your Fabric
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Pair of Mid Century Caned Lounge Chairs, designed by Kipp Stewart, American, circa 1960s. These chairs are currently being fully restored, with new caning, refinished wood in...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
$4,796Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Directional Petrified Needlepoint Cotton Felt Upholstered Lounge Chairs
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Germantown, MD
Rare Pair of Directional Furniture designed Kipp Stewart, Needlepoint Cotton Felt Upholstered and Tufted Rolling Lounge Chairs. Petrified Needlework throughout. Measures 27" in wid...
Upholstery
Kipp Stewart Walnut and Cane Lounge for Directional
By Paul McCobb, Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Kipp Stewart Walnut and Cane Lounge for Directional. Original upholstery. Best to reupholster. Structurally sound. Finish shows some wear. Caning in pretty nice shape. We have a ...
Cane, Wood
Mid Century Kipp Stewart “Arc Lounge Chairs” for Directional
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Baltimore, MD
A stunning pair of mid-century modern 1960s “Arc” lounge chairs designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional furniture. An exceptional pair, both for their form and quality. The pair emb...
Chrome
Kipp Stewart Caned Lounge Chairs Mid Century Modern Refinished Reupholstered
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous Pair of Mid Century Modern Lounge Chairs, designed by Kipp Stewart, American, circa 1960s. These chairs are in the process of being completely redone and can be refinished...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair Ottoman Set By Kipp Stewart For Directional
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning and rare mid-century modern lounge chair and ottoman set was designed by American designer Kipp Stewart for Directional Industries circa the 1960s. The armchair and ott...
Rosewood, Walnut, Velvet
Pair of Walnut and Off White Fabric Lounge Chairs by Kipp Stewart
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous pair of lounge chairs designed by Kipp Stewart in the 1960’s. Newly recovered with an off white fabric. The walnut legs are in original vintage condition, they show minor ...
Fabric, Walnut
Channeled Postmodern Lounge Chair by Kipp Stewart for Directional
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Brass base with new nubby wool upholstery. Designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional.
Wool
1960s Directional Petrified Needlepoint Cotton Felt Upholstered Lounge Chair
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Germantown, MD
Rare 1960s Directional Furniture designed by Kipp Stewart, Needlepoint Cotton Felt Upholstered and Tufted Rolling Lounge Chair. Petrified Needlework throughout. Measures 27" in widt...
Upholstery
Plycraft Style Bentwood Chair, Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration, USA, c. 1960
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a truly extraordinary bentwood lounge chair designed by the influential Kipp Stewart for Drexel's lauded Declaration Line. Crafted in the late 1960s this Plycraft-styled ...
Walnut
$3,600Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of Slipper Lounge Chairs by Kipp Stewart for Directional, USA, 1960s
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Slipper Lounge Chairs by Kipp Stewart for Directional, USA, 1960s Newly upholstered in slate gray / dark indigo cotton fabric wi...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Kipp Stewart for Directional Lounge Chairs
By Kipp Stewart
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Kipp Stewart for Directional lounge chairs. Upholstered in linen. Legs are wood with casters.
Linen, Wood
Needlepoint Upholstered Slipper Chair
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of typical form, raised on legs ending in casters.
Wood, Fabric
Meadowcraft Dogwood Garden Patio Poolside Spring Seat Lounge Chair
By Meadowcraft
Located in New York, NY
Wrought iron and metal mesh spring seat lounge chair by Meadowcraft, in the Dogwood pattern, circa 1950 - 1960's. The chair is in very good, original estat...
Wrought Iron
$3,000
H 34 in W 28 in D 31 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Model 1321 Lounge Chair in Walnut & Light Upholstery
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Paul McCobb, this chair was manufactured by Directional, who was one of many partners that McCobb worked with. A prolific designer, this chair is one of the best models o...
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,600 / set
H 30.5 in W 30.5 in D 28 in
Pr. Mid-Century Lounge Chairs Attributed to Directional Ca 1950's
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in New York, NY
Pr. stylish lounge chairs made inn the 1950's, attributed to Directional Furniture Company, in the manner of Paul McCobb. Both chairs are structurally sound and sturdy, they were reu...
Upholstery
$4,500
H 37 in W 36.5 in D 36 in
Vintage Post Modern Donghia Luciano Lounge Chair & Ottoman Newly Reupholstered
By Donghia
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Post Modern Donghia Luciano Lounge Chair & Ottoman Newly Reupholstered in a "Steel-Blu" Italian Mohair - 2 Piece Set The chair and ottoman ...
Mohair
Pair of Tufted Lounge Chairs + Ottoman in Butter Print Fabric
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A whimsical bespoke three-piece living room seating group comprised of a pair of English tufted lounge chairs, a matching ottoman and four matching throw pillows. Each piece is custo...
Fabric, Wood
Pair Of Mid Century Club Chairs Attributed To Kipp Stewart
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A more diminutive pair of Club Chairs dated to the 1950’s and attributed to Kipp Stewart. Having nicely time-softened mahogany frames with sloping arm with tapering legs and upholste...
Fabric, Wood
$2,847
H 31.5 in W 24.25 in D 26.5 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century Walnut and Cane Lounge Chair
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century Walnut and Cane Lounge Chair This lounge chair measures: 24.25 wide x 26.5 deep x 31.5 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair cl...
Cane, Walnut
Kipp Stewart Directional Chair in Zebra
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Saint Louis, US
A comfortable and sophisticated lounge chair designed by Kipp Stewart in the 1970s.. The streamlined steel base is chrome plated. The upholstery is a high grade South African Zebra. ...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
$10,100 / set
H 30.32 in W 28.35 in D 31.11 in
Pair of Mid-Century Lounge Chairs by Paul McCobb for Directional, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Very comfortable and attractive pair of lounge chairs from the 1950s by Paul McCobb. The armchairs are newly upholstered and covered with a high-quality, off-white wool fabric. Mode...
Wool, Wood
$8,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 26.5 in D 33.5 in
Pair Original Paul McCobb Custom Craft Directional Lounge Chairs in Mahogany
By Paul McCobb, Directional, Custom Craft Inc.
Located in Troy, MI
Pair of rare angular lounge chairs designed by Paul McCobb Manufactured by Custom Craft Inc for Directional circa 1950 Architectural low profile design with dark stained mahogany fr...
Leather, Mohair, Mahogany
$1,995 / set
H 39 in W 32.5 in D 24 in
MCM Eames Plycraft Style Lounge Chair & Ottoman Newly Reupholstered Black Mohair
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Eames Plycraft Style Lounge Chair and Ottoman Newly Reupholstered in Black Mohair - 2 Piece Set We reupholstered an Ea...
Metal
Sold
H 31.25 in W 23.5 in D 26 in
Set of 2 Rare Lounge Chairs in Walnut, Kipp Stewart, Directional, USA, c. 1950s
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a truly extraordinary cane-armed lounge chair set designed by the influential Kipp Stewart for Drexel's lauded Declaration Line. Crafted in the late 1950s this lounge cha...
Walnut
Sold
H 25.25 in W 28.25 in D 30 in
Kipp Stewart for Directional 'Arc' Lounge Chairs in Brown Suede & Chromed Steel
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by American design icon Kipp Stewart, these awesome chairs were made by Directional, known for their work with Paul Evans, Vladimir Kagan, Baughman, and others. True to thei...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Kipp Stewart Bronze Patio Lounge Chairs for Terra
By Kipp Stewart, Terra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of lounge chairs by Kipp Stewart for Terra of California, USA, c.1970s. The lounge chairs feature a patinated bronze tube frame with new cotton rope that has been woven to the s...
Bronze
Mid-Century Kipp Stewart for Drexel Lounge Chair
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Raleigh, NC
Beautiful and seldomly seen Drexel Declaration Eames style lounge chair designed by Kipp Stewart. Beautiful molded walnut ply shell with tilt and swivel 5 star base. Amazing details ...
Metal
Sold
H 32.5 in W 26.5 in D 32 in
Kipp Stewart Leather/Stainless Steel Lounge Chair Ottoman by Directional, 1970
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Kipp Stewart Leather/Stainless Steel Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Directional the "Arc" chair, 1970. Original leather in great condition.Measure26.5" wide 32" deep 32.5" tall, seat he...
Stainless Steel
Kipp Stewart Bronze Patio Lounge Chair for Terra
By Kipp Stewart, Terra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair and ottoman by Kipp Stewart for Terra of California, USA, c.1970s. The lounge chair and ottoman feature a patinated bronze tube frame with new cotton rope that has been ...
Bronze
Kipp Stewart Bronze Patio Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Terra
By Kipp Stewart, Terra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair and ottoman by Kipp Stewart for Terra of California, USA, c.1970s. The lounge chair and ottoman feature a patinated bronze tube frame with new cotton rope that has been ...
Bronze
Sold
H 33.75 in W 24 in D 24 in
Expertly Restored - Kipp Stewart Walnut & Cane Lounge Chair for Directional
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 34 in W 27.5 in D 34.5 in
Kipp Stewart Black Leather and Chrome Arc Lounge Chairs for Directional - a Pair
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of black leather and chrome Arc lounge chairs designed by Kipp Stewart and manufactured by Directional. The leather backrest and leather cove...
Chrome
Kipp Stewart Rosewood and Walnut Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
This is a beautiful and rare lounge chair and ottoman pairing designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional in 1960. Superb form and beautiful woods combine in this walnut frame chair wit...
Rosewood, Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 28 in D 35 in
Kipp Stewart Directional Original Leather Stainless Steel Lounge Chair Ottoman
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Wow, original and buttery soft, off-white leather! On a polished and hefty stainless steel base. This super cool "Arc" lounge chair and ottoman, a complete and original matching set,...
Stainless Steel
1980s Directional Lounge Chair by Kipp Stewart
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1985 w/ original manufacturers tags.
Brass