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 Drexel, Kipp Stewart
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
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
Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture Petite Cabinet
By Kipp Stewart
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Jack Cartwright for founders Furniture Petite Cabinet Expressive grained Rosewood venner
Metal
$2,300
Kipp Stewart Wall Unit
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern wall unit designed by Kipp Stewart. One piece unit with cabinet storage, drawers and sliding g...
Walnut
Jack Cartwright for Founders Tall Dresser in Walnut! All refinished!
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Jack Cartwright walnut tall boy, six-drawer, dresser with black base and black wood inset detail. Dove-tale construction of drawers. Newly Re...
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
Sold|$3,600
H 30 in W 65 in D 18 in
Mid Century Modern Walnut 4 Door Credenza by Kipp Stewart for Calvin
By Calvin Furniture, Kipp Stewart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kipp Steward for Calvin Furniture Co. Mid-century modern Walnut four door sideboard or credenza with flatware interior drawers and glass shelf. Has inlaid rosewood designs on front d...
Brass
$4,795 / set
H 45.5 in W 60 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart Drexel 'Declaration' Walnut & Brass Tall & Long Dresser with Mirror
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall, this set was made by Drexel and dubbed the 'Declaration' line. Each dresser features a walnut case with beautiful and smooth flowing ...
Brass
$2,100
H 30 in W 36 in D 18 in
Mid Century Walnut Bachelor’s Chest by Jack Cartwright for Founder’s Furniture
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic Three Drawer Bachelors Chest designed by Jack Cartwright for Founder’s Furniture Co, 1960’s. Deep rich Walnut tones, well made. Walnut exterior and oak interiors. Deep doveta...
Metal
$5,895
H 33.5 in W 72 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Kipp Stewart Rosewood & Chrome Dresser 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 precis...
Chrome
Pair of Walnut Nightstands by John Kapel for Glenn of California
By John Kapel, Glenn of California
Located in San Mateo, CA
Pair of walnut nightstands designed by John Kapel for Glenn of California. These feature a book or magazine holder on the inside of a large single door. The inside has one adjustabl...
Laminate, Walnut
$2,800
H 37.5 in W 60.5 in D 18.5 in
Jack Cartwright for Founders 8-Drawer Walnut & Brass Dresser or Cabinet
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This cabinet was made in the 1970s by Founders after a design by Jack Cartwright, one of the most prolific designers of the 20th century modern scene. Featuring pleasant proportions,...
Brass
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
Baker Finn Juhl Modular Wall Unit, circa 1950s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Toledo, OH
Baker Finn Juhl adjustable modular wall unit, circa 1950s. Can be positioned vertically or horizontal. Each unit measures 32" wide x 11" deep x 14" tall. Shelf measures 10" x 54". Me...
Wood
$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 Drexel, Kipp Stewart
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
$3,895
H 31.25 in W 57 in D 16 in
Expertly Restored - Kipp Stewart & Stewart M. "Declaration" Bookcase for Drexel
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
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 precis...
Wood, Walnut
1960s Mid-Century Walnut Cabinet by Kipp Stewart for Drexel
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in North Hollywood, CA
✨ Mid-Century Walnut Cabinet by Kipp Stewart for Dexel ✨ Transform your living space with this exquisite mid-century walnut cabinet, expertly designed by Kipp Stewart for Dexel. The...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 46.75 in W 23.5 in D 17.75 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Highboy Dresser by Kipp Stewart for Drexel
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut, Porcelain Pulls With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage de...
Porcelain, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Drexel Declaration Bookcase by Kipp Stewart
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Walnut bookcase with adjustable shelves. Sturdy and stylish bookcase is in good condition with some veneer repairs that are pictured. Shelves are solid wood and new.
Walnut
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Mid Century Walnut China Cabinet
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
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
Sold
H 31.25 in W 43.5 in D 17.75 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declarations MCM Walnut Tambour Door TV Media Cabinet
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declarations mid century walnut Tambour door TV media cabinet This cabinet measures: 43.5 wide x 17.75 deep x 31.25 inches ...
Walnut
Sold
H 67 in W 48.5 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Sideboard Hutch or Bar Cabinet, 1964
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern lighted bar cabinet or sideboard hutch By Kipp Stewart for Drexel "Declaration" Line USA, 1964 Walnut, with glass front doors and original ...
Brass
Kipp Stewart Marble Top Cabinet
By Directional, Kipp Stewart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Seldom-seen marble and walnut cabinet designed by Kipp Stewart for Calvin Directional. The cabinet is topped with a gorgeous white marble top that is very clean and high quality with...
Marble
Sold
H 50 in W 72 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern cherry "Sun Coast" Credenza by Kipp Stewart for Drexel, 1959
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Portland, OR
Mid-Century Modern Danish style twin tier "Sun Coast" credenza / cabinet in cherry by Kipp Stewart for Drexel, 1959. The twin tier credenza in cherry, the top unit having sliding glass doors with a sunburst design, the base having twin cupboards and four drawers. The cabinet raised on stile legs. The credenza stamped to the verso, "Sun Coast by Drexel...
Cherry
Two-Door Server by Kipp Stewart
By Kipp Stewart
Located in New York, NY
Kipp Stewart declaration line for Drexel. Diminutive two-door server, doors open to reveal shelved storage space (shelf height adjustable or removable if you prefer). Clean original, ready to use condition, we are listing the other matching pieces from this complete Declaration dining set...
Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 36 in D 20 in
Vintage Midcentury Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Record Cabinet
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Pasadena, TX
Kipp Stewart for Drexel walnut record cabinet Beautiful Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration record cabinet, circa 1960s. Walnut...
Walnut
Sold
H 29.25 in W 29 in D 12 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid-Century Modern Walnut Cabinet, 1965
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern "hall chest" cabinet designed by Kipp Stewart for his Declaration line for Drexel. The chest features stunning walnut wood grain and sleek Minimalist Da...
Walnut
Sold
H 31.13 in W 59.5 in D 16 in
Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall Walnut Drexel Declaration Bookcase Cabinet
By Drexel, Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Super stylish Mid-Century Modern bookcase. Designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel. Part of their famed, “Declaration” collection. A rare piece that hardly surfaces. Check out the ever graceful, swooping legs on the side. Fixed to the exterior of the chassis. This daring construction evidences Stewart’s training as an architect. Top two shelves are both adjustable height and removable. Store books, records or other media. Back side is finished. One can use this as a room divider in open floor plans. A defining piece for your retro decor...
Walnut