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.
Dark Olive Heavy Canvas and Blackened Steel Extra Large Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Bench can be used as a chaise extension on the sofa or two-seat sofa, as an independent seating option, or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel
$4,600 / item
Bench with Antique Rug Upholstery
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This bench, in the style of Stephen's Kenn Inheritance Collection, has been upholstered with an antique rug from the collection of King Kennedy rugs. The ...
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
Military Canvas and Antique Brass Two-Seat Sofa and Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Slightly smaller in size, the two-seat sofa is ideal for apartments or smaller spaces requiring a smaller footprint. The inheritance bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a ...
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
$2,200 / item
Desert Tan Heavy Canvas & Blackened Steel Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The inheritance bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel
$3,000 / item
Smoke Leather and Blackened Steel Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel
$4,600 / item
Bench with Antique Rug Upholstery
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This bench, in the style of Stephen's Kenn Inheritance Collection, has been upholstered with an antique rug from the collection of King Kennedy rugs. The ...
Steel
$4,600 / item
Bench with Antique Rug Upholstery
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This bench, in the style of Stephen's Kenn Inheritance Collection, has been upholstered with an antique rug from the collection of King Kennedy rugs. The ...
Steel
$3,000 / item
Vintage US Mailbag and Antique Brass Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This bench, in the style of Stephen's Kenn Inheritance Collection, has been upholstered with a patchwork of vintage US mailbag canvas material. Since first designing Inheritance Coll...
Steel
Brentwood Navy Leather and Blackened Steel Extra Large Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel
$3,000 / item
Vintage Military Canvas and Antique Brass Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Bench can be used as a chaise extension on the sofa or two-seat sofa, as an independent seating option, or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel
$2,600 / item
Vintage Military Canvas and Blackened Steel Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel
$4,600 / item
Bench with Antique Rug Upholstery
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This bench, in the style of Stephen's Kenn Inheritance Collection, has been upholstered with an antique rug from the collection of King Kennedy rugs. The ...
Steel
$3,600 / item
Blue Smoke Leather and Blackened Steel Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel
Providence Blue Smoke Leather and Blackened Steel Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option, or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel
$2,200 / item
Olive Canvas and Blackened Steel Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel
$2,600 / item
Faribault Grey Wool and Blackened Steel Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The inheritance bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel
$3,000 / item
Vintage Military Canvas and Antique Brass Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option or as a large upholstered coffee table. Since first...
Steel
$2,000 / item
H 17 in W 36 in D 12 in
Walnut Knife Beam Bench 3' Long Solid Wood + Blackened Steel by Alabama Sawyer
By Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
Our knife beam bench in walnut utilizes salvaged walnut wood logs for a rustic bench. Narrow and backless, the simple lines express the natural texture of the end grain of each species. The 12" x 12" beam is milled and finished to sit raised by a mild steel base with a black patina. The beam bench brings rustic beauty at a variety of lengths. Cracks, knots, saw marks and variation is part of the beauty of these pieces. The wood will continue to move and the finish to patina over time. The knife walnut beam bench makes a cozy coffee table in a den or living room or low table in a mud room or entry hall for flexible use as a place to place packages and bags or to remove shoes. With the oiled finish used on the knife walnut beam bench, we do not recommend putting this bench outside...
Steel
Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Pine Provincial Sofa Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish Gustavian provincial sofa crafted in pine, showcasing its original scraped paint. This sofa, dating back to the early 19th century, around 1800 to 1810, exemplifies ...
Pine
Deco Era English Satinwood Bench with Epingle Velvet Upholstery
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this bench dates from the 1940s. This flip top bench was most likely a piano bench and features brass caster feet, a satinwood base with black stringing and contras...
Velvet, Satinwood
$3,000 / item
H 17.25 in W 16 in D 36 in
3ft Live Edge Wood Bench by AMBROZIA, Solid Black Walnut & Blackened Steel
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
Our 3ft long live edge entryway/ porches waterfall wood bench is handmade to order from hand selected high figured Walnut slab. It has an hand rub...
Cut Steel
$2,400
H 36.23 in W 59.06 in D 20.48 in
Danish Modern, Sculptural Three Seater Sofa / Bench, Made by Hans Dau, 1950s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Odense, DK
A lovely romantic Baroque style three seater sofa with cushions covered in vintage fabric. Made in solid oak. Handcrafted by Danish cabinetmaker Hans Dau in the 1950s. The overall im...
Fabric, Oak
$2,691 / set
H 18.31 in W 112.41 in D 10.83 in
Two Extra Large French Provincial Country Farmhouse Benches, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant pair of French Provincial Country Farmhouse extra large benches. Striking French design from the 1900s. Solid antique oak frames with original solid antique oak ...
Oak
$10,160
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
Contemporary Bench with Handwoven B&W Upholstery
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The Cloud collection was created around the concept of tress. These contemporary styled benches and stools are made with cotton fabric and foam stripe...
Fabric
$17,438
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
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
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
$4,000 / item
H 17.25 in W 16 in D 60 in
5ft Live Edge Wood Bench, by AMBROZIA, Solid Walnut & Blackened Steel
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
Our 5 ft live edge entryway/ porches waterfall wood bench is handmade to order from hand selected high figured Ambrosia maple slab. Our very uniqu...
Cut Steel