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.
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Mid Century Walnut Sofa
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Mid Century Walnut Sofa This sofa measures: 81 wide x 33 deep x 32.5 inches high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,850
H 38 in W 22.5 in D 20 in
Handsome Pair Kipp Stewart for Calvin Walnut Dining Chairs Mid-Century Modern
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Dining chairs in Walnut by Kipp Stewart for Calvin. Very well made, elegant and comfortable. Each chair measures 38" H x 22.5" W x 20" D. Seat height is 19" H.
Upholstery, Walnut
Drexel, Sofa, Oak, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Drexel
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained oak and white fabric sofa produced by Drexel, USA, c. 1950s. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. *some scratches and discoloration to wood, overall good condition Di...
Fabric, Oak
$3,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 29 in D 32 in
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 Mid-Century 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
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.5 in W 59.5 in D 16 in
Mid Century Kipp Stewart Drexel Coffee Table Bench
By Bassett Furniture
Located in Baltimore, MD
A beautiful, mid-century, modern, retro, 1960’s, Danish style, coffee table/ bench, by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel, from the Declaration series. The perfect length...
Walnut
$2,395 / set
H 36 in W 17.75 in D 21 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Sculpted Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Kipp Stewart, George Nakashima, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut dining chairs In the manner of George Nakashima By Kipp Stewart for Drexel, "Declaration" Collection USA, 1960s Measures...
Walnut
$4,000 / set
H 32 in W 19.5 in D 18 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel "Declaration" Sculpted Walnut Dining Chairs
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Celebrate the elegance of American mid-century design with this stunning set of Six "Declaration" dining chairs by Kipp Stewart for Drexel, crafted circa 1960. A hallmark of Drexel’s...
Wood
$5,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 26.5 in W 120 in D 73 in
Directional Kipp Stewart Two-Piece Tufted Sofa Sectional Mid-Century Modern
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Gorgeous Kipp Stewart for Directional two-piece tufted sectional sofa. Yes, this piece will need to be re-upholstered but that's what you designers are looking for anyway-right?
Upholstery, Wood
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Sculpted Walnut Armchair
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern armchair or dining captain chair By Kipp Stewart for Drexel, "Declaration" Collection USA, 1960s Sculpted walnut frame, with inlaid rosewood, and uph...
Upholstery, Rosewood, Walnut
Mid Century Kipp Stewart “Arc Lounge Chairs” for Directional
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
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
$3,295 / set
H 36 in W 17.75 in D 21 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Sculpted Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of Six
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart, George Nakashima
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut dining chairs In the manner of George Nakashima By Kipp Stewart for Drexel, "Declaration" Collection USA, 1960s Measures:...
Walnut
Set of Ten Kipp Stewart for Drexel "Centennial" Chairs
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of vintage Drexel dining chairs in solid walnut. Features splayed legs, flat seats, and spindle backs with sculptural geometric slats. ...
Walnut
$1,440Sale Price / item|79% Off
H 42 in W 25 in D 29 in
Pair of Kipp Stewart for Drexel "Centennial" Arm Chairs
By Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Beautiful pair of modern Windsor style armchairs designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougal for Drexel Furniture. Handcarved back splats with flattened form, bentwood arm and car...
Walnut
$3,300Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 26 in W 23 in D 17 in
Mid-century "Declaration" Oak Arm Chairs by Kipp Stewart for Drexel, Pair
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-century "Declaration" oak arm chair pair by Kipp Stewart for Drexel. Crafted with bent beech wood frames, these chairs echo the Kipp Stewart’s signature balance of structure and ...
Teak
$1,595 / set
H 39.25 in W 21.25 in D 23.25 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Sculpted Walnut Armchairs, Pair
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel, George Nakashima
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut armchairs or dining captain chairs In the manner of George Nakashima By Kipp Stewart for Drexel, "Declaration" Collection USA...
Walnut
Curved Sofa by Kipp Stewart for Directional in Kvadrat Fabric
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare curved sofa by Kipp Stewart for Directional in Kvadrat / Maharam fabric. Solid brass legs and a very feminine design.
Brass