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
$745Sale Price / item|50% 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
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
$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
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
$1,750 / set
H 30 in W 24 in D 22 in
Pair Homecrest "Casino", Tempestini Style, Black Mesh Clam Shell Lounge Chairs
By Homecrest, Maurizio Tempestini
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
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
$1,750 / set
H 30 in W 22 in D 22 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
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
$1,591Sale Price|56% Off
H 32.75 in W 26 in D 65 in
Westnofa Norwegian Black Leather and Red Wool Reversible Chaise Lounge
By Göte Möbler Nässjö, Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
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
$6,300Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 32 in W 20.5 in D 65 in
Pair of Peter Strassl Spine Back Lounge Chairs or Chaise Lounges, Germany, 1978
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Peter Strassl Spine Back Lounge Chairs or Chaise Lounges, Germany, 1978 Designed by Peter Strassl in Germany in 1978, this pair of chaise lounge...
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