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.
$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 & 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
$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
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
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.41 in W 22.84 in D 63 in
Vintage 1980s Metal and Leather Chaise Lounge, Italian Design
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Chaise lounge with a chrome and black metal frame, black leather upholstery, Italian design, 1980s. CONDITION: In good condition, with signs of wear due to age. DIMENSIONS: Height ...
Metal
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
Milo Baughman Black Leather Fred Chaise Lounge Chair for Thayer Coggin
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Milo Baughman “Fred” chaise lounge chair for Thayer Coggin in black leather on a brushed stainless steel base. This was one of Milo Baughman’s initial desi...
Steel
Mid-Century Reclining Sunbather Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century reclining outdoor sunbathing chair. Made out of sturdy wrought iron. This lounge chair features elegant scrollwork on wheels and base. Per...
Wrought Iron
M C Home Esperanza Outdoor Lounge Chair in Natural
By Foley & Cox
Located in New York, NY
Our Esperanza outdoor lounge chairs are made for style, comfort and durability. Inspired by the classic Willy Guhl Loop chair, the Esper...
Metal
$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
Pr. Sculptura Chantilly Rose Lounge Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional pair of Woodard Sculpture Satellite lounge chairs, in turquoise paint finish. Both are in very good condition, clean and ready to use. We offer custom powder coating if you prefer a different finish. Offered and priced as a pair. Please view our extensive collection of vintage garden, patio, and poolside furniture...
Wrought Iron
$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
Victorian Folding Iron Campaign Lounge Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The Victorian adjustable folding iron lounge chair is capable of several upright positions or in a flat position. The outdoor chair can also act as an armchair without the folding le...
Iron
Wink Fabric Lounge Chaise, by Toshiyuki Kita from Cassina
By Cassina, Toshiyuki Kita
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
$1,750 / set
H 30 in W 22 in D 22 in L 30 in
Pair of Russell Woodard Style Black Wrought Iron Linai Lounge Chairs, 1960's
By Russell Woodard
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of Russell Woodard Style black enamel Wrought Iron Linai Armchairs. Featuring rugged, balanced frameworks, handcrafted in black enameled wrought iron, with comfortable woven wir...
Wrought Iron, Wire