Favoring used materials that wear well and tell a story, Canadian artist and furniture designer Stephen Kenn aims “to create products worthy of repair.” For instance, making comfortable pillows out of vintage, military-issued shelter halves is one way in which Kenn’s pieces facilitate a conversation as rich as the history that inspires them.
Kenn is a passionate designer and entrepreneur. In his early 20s, Kenn set up shop in Los Angeles and co-created two denim companies before selling them to investors. Kenn then focused on constructing men’s travel luggage through his third company. Once again, he went on to sell the company to investors. He shifted to making industrial-style furniture to match his loft apartment. Kenn took apart a vintage sofa and armchair to discover their inner workings and repurposed them into his designs. Through this experimentation, his fourth business, Stephen Kenn Furniture, was born. His wife, Beks Opperman, handled the business end while Kenn advanced his creative process.
Kenn had access to a large array of military fabrics, which became central to his Inheritance Collection. Along with repurposing the fabrics, Kenn welded rusted steel frames covered in a protective coating. Replica “mule belts,” originally used for pack mules in World War II, complemented the tarnished metal and supported the backs of his sofas.
In 2019, Kenn partially opened his downtown Los Angeles loft to the public as an experiential showroom that holds a collection of his work and favorite items from the past. It is open for community events and overnight stays and houses a popular neighborhood coffee shop.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Stephen Kenn’s seating, tables and more.
$3,400 / item
Outdoor Coffee Table with Rust Powdercoat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, the Stephen Kenn Outdoor Collection is composed o...
Steel
Outdoor Sunbrella Sage & Black Powdercoat Sofa
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Outdoor Collection sofa was designed to be as comfortable as it is modern and durable. It can be used on its own or paired with other elements of the Outdoor Collection to create a larger sectional. The stretch webbing base creates a soft lounging...
Steel
Outdoor Sunbrella Cream & Marbled Rust Sofa
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Outdoor Collection Sofa was designed to be as comfortable as it is modern and durable. It can be used on its own or paired with other elements of the Outdoor Collection to create...
Steel
$4,500 / item
Antique Nickel Aluminum Compression Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Compression Bench by Stephen Kenn is a celebration of simplicity and strength. The bars are held together without nails or welds, but through compression along steel rods. The Compression Bench can be paired with the matching Compression Table or used as a standalone piece. Every Stephen Kenn piece is made to order through our Los Angeles studio in partnership with a number of small businesses and fabricators in the LA area. With this customizable bench...
Metal, Steel
$3,500 / item
Outdoor Cream and Charcoal Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, this collection is composed of steel frames that have been zinc primed and powder coa...
Steel
$4,500 / item
Outdoor Tan and Charcoal Pool Chaise
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, the Outdoor Collection by Stephen Kenn is composed of steel frames that have been zinc primed and powder coated for rust resistance, interwoven stretch webbing for a soft and springy seating experience, and UV and weather resistant Sunbrella Heritage fabric. This version features this version tan webbing and a charcoal powder coated frame; custom dimensions, materials, and finishes are available. There’s no better place for an outdoor nap than the Pool Chaise...
Steel
Outdoor Sunbrella Sand & Marbled Rust Sofa
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Outdoor Collection Sofa was designed to be as comfortable as it is modern and durable. It can be used on its own or paired with other elements of the Outdoor Collection to create a larger sectional. The stretch webbing base creates a soft lounging...
Steel
$3,400 / item
Outdoor Coffee Table with Bone Powdercoat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, the Stephen Kenn Outdoor Collection is composed o...
Steel
$3,500 / item
Blackened Aluminum Compression Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Compression bench by Stephen Kenn is a celebration of simplicity and strength. The bars are held together without nails or welds, but through compression along steel rods. The Compression Bench can be paired with the matching Compression Table or used as a standalone piece. Every Stephen Kenn piece is made to order through our Los Angeles studio in partnership with a number of small businesses and fabricators in the LA area. With this customizable bench...
Metal, Steel
$2,000 / item
Outdoor Charcoal Dining Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, this collection is composed of steel frames that have been zinc primed and powder coa...
Steel
Grounded Collection Leather-Wrapped Planter
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Conceived while in lockdown in 2020, the Grounded Collection from Stephen Kenn is a mediation on being grounded in peaceful creative work, while enduring forced isolation from community. The concept of the collection is a play on the dual definitions of the word "grounded," from "not allowed to participate in social or recreational activities" to "well-balanced and sensible." This piece includes a powder coated basin that has been wrapped in leather and stitched by hand, set in a river rock base. The vegetable tanned leather has been hand-aged to a rich patina using oils and waxes. Planter drains...
Cast Stone, Steel
$2,200 / item
Black & Charcoal Outdoor Lounge Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, the Outdoor Collection by Stephen Kenn is composed of steel frames that have been zin...
Steel
$3,400 / item
Outdoor Charcoal Coffee Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, the Stephen Kenn Outdoor Collection is composed o...
Steel
$2,200 / item
Tan & Charcoal Outdoor Lounge Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the Stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, the Outdoor Collection by Stephen Kenn is composed of steel frames that have been zin...
Steel
$2,200 / item
Black & Tan Outdoor Lounge Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, this collection is composed of steel frames that have been zinc primed and powder coa...
Steel
$7,400 / item
H 15.75 in W 55.12 in D 39.38 in
Oval Outdoor Coffee Table in Resin Fiberglass with Antique Finish
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary outdoor/indoor coffee table built with resin reinforced fiberglass. This highly resistant material is very durable and requires less maintenance than concrete. The table...
Resin, Fiberglass
$8,230Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.83 in W 59.65 in D 22.25 in
Restored Antique Victorian 1870 Coalbrookdale Nasturtium Pattern Garden Bench
By Coalbrookdale Foundry
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this beautiful Coalbrookdale Nasturtium pattern cast iron garden seat or bench dating to circa 1870. The ...
Iron, Wrought Iron
$17,064
H 26.97 in W 75.99 in D 20.48 in
Architectural Concrete Bench by Martin Kleppe, Germany, circa 2011
By Martin Kleppe
Located in Berlin, DE
Handmade bench made of concrete by german artist Martin Kleppe. Martin Kleppe studied at the Art Academy Düsseldorf with Tony Cragg from 1993 to 1999 and graduated as a master student.
Concrete
$17,064
H 26.97 in W 75.6 in D 20.48 in L 26.97 in
Architectural Concrete Bench by Martin Kleppe, Germany, circa 2011
By Martin Kleppe
Located in Berlin, DE
Handmade bench made of concrete by german artist Martin Kleppe. Martin Kleppe studied at the Art Academy Düsseldorf with Tony Cragg from 1993 to 1999 and graduated as a master student.
Concrete
Dovetailed Corner Long Bench in Mahogany
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this bench I took cues from sashimono, seeking a outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a closer look. In building this bench I utilize...
Mahogany
$5,480 / item
H 78.75 in W 70.08 in D 32.29 in
Modern Outdoor Swing Sofa in Black Stainless Steel with Beige Waterproof Fabric
By Myface
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
Fable Hanging Outdoor Sofa Hold by premium outdoor leather straps, this inviting white hanging outdoor sofa will allow quality outdoor moments without any concerns. The whole design of this contemporary outdoor hanging sofa...
Stainless Steel
Antique Cast Stone Bench on Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast stone garden bench. Slight curve seat sits on two pedestals with carvings. Beautiful aged patina adding elegance to any garden space or e...
Cast Stone
French Patio Wrought Iron Chaise Longue
Located in Sheffield, MA
The undulating black patio metal garden chaise loungeis relatively light weight for easy movability. The seat peaks where the knee bends making it extremely comfortable. The mesh cou...
Wrought Iron
$16,262 / item
H 15.75 in Dm 47.25 in
Jean Bronze Lost Wax Cast Butterfly Indoor or Outdoor Coffee Table by Fred&Juul
By Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
A swarm of butterflies as delicate as a lace table cloth forms an everlasting table top in white bronze, lost wax cast by Italian master craftsmen. A sculptural table for both indoor...
Metal, Bronze
$2,850 / item
H 31.5 in W 53.15 in D 31.11 in
Minimalist Sofa for Outdoor, Contemporary Brazilian Design
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
This minimalist outdoor sofa is made in hardwood, metal and fabrics, two places sofa with arms, the multi-finish structure is combined with outdoor fabrics such as the Batyline to create an interesting outdoor solution. Bellow the full Skyfolding collection concept: Skyfolding In-outdoor collection, the collection concept is inspired by the Asian building scaffoldings, where a structure is composed by bamboo sticks crossed to create this inspiring and fascinating structures. We combined elements of this structures and also references from the ballet stretching bars that often combine metal and wood, this combo is the concept very soul. All the figurative elements are abstracted in the design process to extract the precise best of each world, and by then resulting in a collection of delicate objects, cult and curated to the minimum details, in design and engineering. The collection is composed by outdoor net, batyline or plastic, in a portion leaving room to a more soft design approach that is harmonious, this elements are combined to a structure made of wood and metal that transcends to tech and soft, a paradigm of past, present and future that invite all the viewers to contemplate and reflect in this philosophical matters in a tactile and visual way. Resulting is a essential and timeless set of objects designed for the modern lifestyle that permit infinite compositions indoors or outdoors that will participate in lives for a lifetime like a breeze full of “zen” elements and energy. Award winner of the biggest South American design...
Metal
Limestone Coffee Table Set of 2, Modern Design for Indoor/Outdoor Use
Located in New York, NY
A pair of sculptural white and beige tables crafted of Lime stone. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.? Short: ø 24" x 15" H Tall: ø 24" x 18" H. Please contact us if ...
Limestone
Suelo Modern Outdoor Sofa
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® modern outdoor sofa is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. This sofa's silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and seat cushions. ...
Mahogany
$260 / item
H 37.4 in W 22 in D 20.5 in
Armchair / Chair in Wrought Iron, Garden Furniture, Indoor and Outdoor
Located in Miami, FL
Expoxi finished Indoor and outdoor.
Wrought Iron
$14,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 17.25 in W 88 in D 12 in
TWO Hand Carved Stone Rustic Garden Bench Seat Antique Indoor Outdoor Landscape
Located in West Hollywood, CA
TWO Hand Carved Stone Rustic Garden Bench Seat Antique Indoor Outdoor Landscape . Beautifully Carved stone rustic Chateau park garden benches . I...
Stone, Limestone
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Chaise Lounge
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
S-Lounge patio chair by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. Graceful even for a Lamb design, the chaise lounge is rendered in bronze tubing with a seat of woven yacht cord. Its namesake ar...
Bronze