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.
$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
$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
$7,400 / item
Grounded Collection Leather Chaise Lounge
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 commun...
Cast Stone, 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
Wink Fabric Lounge Chaise, by Toshiyuki Kita from Cassina
By Toshiyuki Kita, Cassina
Located in Vancouver, BC
A versatile chaise longue, a cross between an ergonomic car seat, adjustable with a knob, and the playful silhouette of Mickey Mouse. Designed in 1980 by Kita, the internationally famous Japanese designer, Wink is a timeless model, a break away from the banal due to its transformability and range of interchangeable upholstery. Additional information: - Dimensions: D.90 x W.83 x H.102 cm. Wink fabric lounge chaise...
Fabric
$2,195 / set
H 27.25 in W 27.5 in D 24 in
Mid Century Modern Sculptura Outdoor Dining Chairs by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous set of 4 original Sculptura chairs, 2 arm, 2 side in white paint. Molded mesh which conforms to the body. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear and lots of coatin...
Metal, Wire
Clara Porset Rare Lounge Chairs, 1950's
By Clara Porset
Located in Uccle, BE
Clara Porset (1895-1981) - Xavier Guerrero (1896-1974) Pair of armchairs Rope and lacquered metal Model created circa 1950 Measures: H: 79 x W 70 x D 69 cm This chair model is part of the selection of the 1950 international low-cost furniture...
Metal
MAAT Outdoor Lounge Chair
Located in Carson, CA
MAAT Outdoor Lounge Chair designed by Philippe Bestenheider for Varaschin Four differently colored synthetic fiber tapes cross to give shape to the weaving of the Maat armchair. The...
Synthetic
Kennedy Collection Genuine Leather Chaise Lounge
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Genuine leather Kennedy Collection chaise lounge; 72" x 36" x 25" H. Leather, tacked with brindle longhorn hide and long rancher fringe. One of a kind....
Leather
$2,200 / set
H 27 in W 20.5 in D 24.5 in
Pair Tempestini Style Black Wrought Iron & Expanded Wire Lounge Chairs, 1950's
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of Sculptural Black Wrought Iron and Wire Lounge Chairs. Lanai Chairs. Patio Chairs. In the style of Maurizio Tempestini and Van Keppel-Green. Featuring sturdy, wrought iron fr...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Leather BoConcept Chaise Longue
By BoConcept
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage BoConcept chaise lounge with relax function. In natural black leather, chrome steel base/legs. Label: BoConcept. Very good vintage condition.
Metal, Chrome
Suelo Slatted Outdoor Lounge Chair
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® Slatted outdoor lounge chair is beautifully constructed in Ohio, USA. This silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back an...
Mahogany
$7,600
H 33 in W 22 in D 63 in
Vintage Cassina LC4 Cowhide Leather Chaise Lounge Chair by Le Corbusier 1960s
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier
Located in Detroit, MI
This authentic vintage Le Corbusier LC4 lounge chair dating from the 1960s was made in Italy by Cassina with authorized U.S. distribution by At...
Steel, Chrome
$3,500
H 41 in W 23.5 in D 62 in
Mid Century Scandinavian Modern Black Leather & Chrome Base Chaise Lounge Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek, simple modern lounge probably Scandinavian circa 1990's. It features fine black leather with large chrome X base. Very good condition and ready for use.
Chrome
$1,750 / set
H 30 in W 24 in D 22 in
Pair Homecrest "Casino", Tempestini Style, Black Mesh Clam Shell Lounge Chairs
By Maurizio Tempestini, Homecrest
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of Homecrest "Casino" Line Black Clamshell Lounge Chairs, 1960's. Maurizio Tempestini "Orange Slice" style. Featuring sculpted, sturdy, wrought i...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Robert Lewis Bronze Patio Lounge Chair
By Robert Lewis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An early California-made bronze patio lounge chair by Walter Lamb antecedent, Robert Lewis. The bronze tubing in this example is very slender, sculpted in...
Bronze