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 Declaration Mid Century Walnut Buffet & Hutch
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Buffet & Hutch Buffet measures: 48.5 wide x 20 deep x 67.25 All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored v...
Glass, Walnut
$900Sale Price|64% Off
H 30 in W 56 in D 18 in
Drexel "Sun Coast Collection" Six Drawer Dresser by Kipp Stewart
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern 6 Drawer dresser in the "Sun Coast Collection" for Drexel Furniture designed by Kipp Stewart. Circa 1959. Cherry, sits on a ...
Cherry
$2,850
H 31 in W 52.25 in D 40.25 in
MCM Walnut "Declaration" Single Drawer Corner Desk by Kipp Stewart for Drexel
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in San Diego, CA
Super rare and fabulous MCM single drawer walnut corner desk designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel’s "Declaration Collection", circa 1960s. The piece is in very good original vintage c...
Walnut
Mid Century Drexel Declaration Kipp Stewart Double Dresser
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern double dresser designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel’s Declaration Collection, circa 1960’s. Featuring a solid, beautifully grained ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Walnut China Cabinet Buffet Hutch
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful, retro Mid-Century Modern detailed proportioned walnut buffet China cabinet in great original condition. The hutch is one solid-piece, featuring two sliding glass doors on ...
Glass, Walnut
$3,595
H 31.25 in W 62 in D 20 in
Newly Refinished - Kipp Stewart “Declaration” Walnut Dresser for Drexel
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage design...
Brass
$2,300
H 41 in W 16 in D 16.5 in
Mid-Century Standing Jewelry Chest by Kipp Stewart for Glenn of California
By Kipp Stewart, Glenn of California
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare standing jewelry chest by Kipp Stewart for Glenn of California. Simple and handsome design with rosewood front drawers inside a teak frame....
Rosewood, Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
18th Century French Walnut Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
18th century walnut buffet from France with gorgeous burl walnut details throughout the piece. The top is banded and has a beveled edge, following down to hand paneled sides with sca...
Walnut, Burl
$3,500
H 31.13 in W 72.25 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Dresser or Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern long dresser or credenza By Kipp Stewart for Drexel "Declaration" Line USA, Mid-20th Century Walnut, with original brass hardware. Measu...
Brass
$2,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 72 in D 19.5 in
Mid Century Modern Drexel Declaration Credenza / Buffet
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This exquisite credenza/buffet is a hallmark of Drexel's premium Declaration line, exemplifying the brand's commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. Designed by the renowned Kipp Ste...
Walnut
$5,196Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36.25 in W 42 in D 21 in
Pair Mid-Century Modern Gilded Mahogany Buffets Cabinets, circa 1950
By Alberto Mastroianni
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of Mid-Century Modern gilded mahogany buffets cabinets, circa 1950, perfectly embodies the bold yet elegant aesthetic of the era. Each cabinet is constructed with a rich ma...
Gold Leaf
Pair of Kipp Stewart Declaration Nightstands by Drexel
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Raleigh, NC
These exceptional Kipp Stewart nightstands from Drexel's prestigious Declaration line represent the pinnacle of American mid-century modern des...
Walnut
$2,137Sale Price|25% Off
H 31 in W 36 in D 20 in
Midcentury Kipp Stewart for Drexel Dresser Bachelor Chest
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Baltimore, MD
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern dresser bachelor chest designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel’s Declaration Collection, circa 1960s. Featuring a solid, beautifully grained walnut wood case and frame housing three dovetailed drawers, each is adorned with original brass pulls with walnut inlay, creating a striking contrast to the walnut wood. Maker Stamp (by Drexel) on the inside of the top drawer. A recessed base of round tapered legs and apron provide stabile support while conveying an airy “floating” effect. Additional Maker Stamp (Declaration by Drexel...
Brass
Sold
H 31.5 in W 60.25 in D 20 in
MCM Walnut "Declaration" Buffet / Sideboard by Kipp Stewart for Drexel
By Kipp Stewart, Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in San Diego, CA
Fabulous MCM walnut buffet / sideboard designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel’s "Declaration Collection", circa 1960s. The piece ...
Walnut
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Mid Century Walnut China Cabinet
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart for Drexel mid century walnut china cabinet China cabinet measures: 48.5 wide x 20 deep x 67 inches high ?All pieces of...
Glass, Walnut
Kipp Stewart for Calvin Mid Century Small Sideboard Buffet Credenza
By Calvin Furniture, Kipp Stewart
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart for Calvin Mid Century Small Sideboard Buffet Credenza Credenza measures: 54 wide x 18 deep x 31 high This price includes ge...
Wood
Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall Drexel Declaration Credenza
By Drexel, Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century Drexel declaration sideboard credenza by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall. This piece features bookmatched black walnut grains hig...
Porcelain, Walnut
Mid-Century Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mini Buffet Credenza
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Near perfect example of an exceptional Kipp Stewart designed small buffet cabinet by Drexel. Three drawers, two cabinet doors open to double shelf...
Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall Drexel Declaration Credenza
By Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Drexel Declaration sideboard credenza by Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall. This piece features bookmatched black walnut grains high...
Porcelain, Walnut
Kipp Stewart Drexel Declaration Credenza
By Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Drexel Declaration Buffet Credenza by Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall. This piece features bookmatched black walnut grains hig...
Porcelain, Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 48.5 in D 20 in
Drexel Declaration Buffet Designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall
By Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a great walnut 3 drawer buffet, sideboard, or credenza designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel. Its part of the highly colle...
Porcelain, Walnut
buffet by Kipp stewart for glen of california
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very nice and elegant small buffet by Kipp Stewart, the patina is much nicer in person
Walnut
Antique Kipp Stewart/Stuart Mac Dougall Glenn Of California
By Kipp Stewart, Glenn of California
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very elegant 1956 Kipp Stewart, perfect for Mid Century style.
Walnut, Glass