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
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 & 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
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, Pierre Jeanneret, Cassina, 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
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
$5,331 / set
H 28.55 in W 23.63 in D 63.78 in
PAIR OF JOSE ZANINE CALDAS STYLE DANISH WALNUT WOVEN LEATHER CHAISE LOUNGE CHAiR
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this pair of Jose Zanine Caldas style Danish Walnut & Woven Leather Reclined chaise lounge chairs Plea...
Leather, Walnut
$1,192Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
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
$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
Van Keppel-Green Sleigh Lounge Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Outdoor lounge chair by designers Hendrik van Keppel and Taylor Green, better know as Van Keppel-Green or VKG, manufactured in California, c.1950s. Van Keppel-Green furniture was hea...
Steel
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
$1,580Sale Price|56% Off
H 32.75 in W 26 in D 65 in
Westnofa Norwegian Black Leather and Red Wool Reversible Chaise Lounge
By Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar Relling, Göte Möbler Nässjö
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Westnofa Norwegian made leather chaise lounge with reversible cushion. This chaise is exemplary of Scandinavian design genius. It achieves so much, by such simple means. The original...
Leather, Canvas, Upholstery
$2,400
H 36 in W 23 in D 27.5 in
Maison Jansen Style Faux Bamboo Bronzed Tone Indoor or Outdoor Lounge Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add style to any space with this Hollywood Regency Maison Jansen style faux bamboo gold tone metal lounge chair & matching ottoman. This wonderful chair and foot stool will be perfec...
Metal
Pair of Midcentury Rattan Lounge Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of Midcentury lounge chairs with open fretwork design in the manner and style of Henry Link & McGuire. The legs are conjoined by X-form stretchers and terminated with brass cast...
Fabric, Rattan