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.
$9,000 / item
Black Leather & Blackened Steel Extra-Long Loveseat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Loveseat by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, ...
Steel
Heavily Pebbled Black Leather & Blackened Steel Loveseat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Loveseat by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, ...
Steel
$7,700 / item
Cream Leather and Blackened Steel Loveseat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Loveseat by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, ...
Steel
Waxed Walnut Leather & Blackened Steel Loveseat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Loveseat by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, ...
Steel
$10,000 / item
Blue Smoke Leather and Antique Nickel Loveseat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Loveseat by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, and supportive belts. The deep seating area is perfect for a relaxing lounge experience. 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 highly customizable loveseat you can select from a wide range of finishes and materials to complement your home and lifestyle - please message us to see our Customization Guide with all available options. This version of our Inheritance Loveseat is upholstered in blue smoke leather...
Steel
$6,500 / item
Outdoor Cream and Charcoal Loveseat
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
$6,500 / item
Vintage Military Canvas and Marbled Rust Loveseat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Loveseat by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, ...
Steel
$6,500 / item
Outdoor Leaf and Charcoal Loveseat
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
$8,500 / item
Waxed Moss Green Leather and Antique Copper Loveseat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Loveseat by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, ...
Steel
Black Wool and Antique Nickel Loveseat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Loveseat by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, ...
Steel
$18,400 / item
Outdoor Leaf & Charcoal Sectional
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
$7,500 / item
Tan Wool and Antique Nickel Loveseat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Loveseat by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, ...
Steel
$8,500 / item
Potomac Tan Leather and Antique Brass Loveseat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Loveseat by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, ...
Steel
$7,500 / item
Black Wool and Antique Brass Loveseat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Loveseat by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, ...
Steel
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
H 32 in W 60 in D 36 in
Mid century modern beautiful Black leather 2 seat loveseat sofa with walnut legs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century modern beautiful Black leather 2 seat loveseat sofa with walnut legs. Beautiful Black leather that shows little signs of use but broken in nicely. Great small deep leathe...
Leather, Walnut
$1,200
H 36.5 in W 53 in D 23 in
Authentic Rare Eastlake Aesthetic Movement Ornate Carved Walnut Loveseat
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An Eastlake period sofa loveseat or settee centered with a stunning pierced crest having a pierced floral motif with the shape mirrored in the arm pediments. Beautiful outward rolled arms are finished with wooden panels carved with scrolled details, all over lovely apron and tapered legs. Original upholstery in excellent condition - this is the real deal...
Upholstery, Walnut
$15,345 / item
H 25.6 in W 53.94 in D 19.69 in
Apollo Loveseat, Sofa, Daybed, Modern, Sculptural, Brass Frame and Cream boucle
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The Apollo loveseat comprises of a series of playfully fine, elongated metal loops, which embrace the upholstered cushion rolls together to form its lo...
Metal, Brass
Garden Patio Park Loveseat Bench of Strap Steel and Wrought Iron
By Fiske Or Mott
Located in New York, NY
Charming garden, patio, or park loveseat size bench of wrought iron and strap steel. This example is in very good estate condition, sturdy, s and solid, showing only cosmetic wear t...
Wrought Iron
Antique Wicker Loveseat by Larkin & Co., Arts and Crafts Style, USA
By Larkin & Co.
Located in Southampton, NJ
American Victorian natural wicker woven roll design high back loveseat with spindles and bobbins on back and apron. The settee features new Arts &am...
Brass
$9,700Sale Price|24% Off
H 26.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
$1,650Sale Price|25% Off
H 30 in W 63 in D 31 in
Mid Century Scandinavian Danish Modern Black Leather sofa Loveseat
By Skipper Mobler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Scandinavian Danish Modern Black Leather sofa Loveseat by Skipper Mobler. Stunning design and shape 2 seat sofa with 2 additional arm cushions that sits on 4 large round ...
Leather
$2,450
H 29 in W 59.5 in D 34 in
Mid-Century Swedish Cream Loveseat Sofa with Tapered Legs and Curved Arms
By Folke Jansson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An inviting example of Mid-Century Swedish design, this cream loveseat sofa offers comfort and elegant proportions. It features gracefully tapered wooden legs, each accented with a d...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,800
H 37.75 in W 50.25 in D 24 in
Antique French Exquisitely Carved and Newly Upholstered Sofa or Loveseat
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Louis XVI sofa or loveseat from the 19th century in carved walnut. Features a gently bowed back, fluted legs, and intricate neoclassical carving throughout. New upholstery in ...
Upholstery, Walnut
French Antique Style Cane Loveseat
Located in New York, NY
French antique style cane loveseat. The loveseat has a loose cushioned and a cane seat and back. Nice carvings to the top back.
Cane, Wood
Pair of Milo Baughman "Case" Walnut Floating Loveseats
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Matched pair of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Even Arm "Case" floating loveseats. Beautiful figured walnut shells sit upon the Classic Baughman square tubed Bases. Entire line of F...
Chrome
Suelo Modern Loveseat
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® modern loveseat is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The sofa's silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and seat cushions. This ...
Hardwood