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.
$1,500 / item
Harness Black Leather and Blackened Steel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the seating options in Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection, the ottoman is a great way to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement for maximum ...
Steel
White Mongolian Sheepskin and Polished Nickel Armchair and Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This ultra luxurious version of The Inheritance collection armchair and ottoman has super soft white Mongolian sheepskin upholstery, black webbing and leather belts, and a polished n...
Steel
White Mongolian Sheepskin and Polished Brass Armchair and Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Armchair is as refined as it is comfortable. Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance Seating options, the Ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to ...
Steel
White Mongolian Sheepskin and Polished Nickel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the seating options from Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection, the ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered in luxurious white Mongolian...
Steel
$2,100 / item
Brentwood Navy Leather and Blackened Steel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance Seating options, the Ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered i...
Steel
$3,000 / item
Nutmeg Brown Leather & Polished Nickel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance Seating options, the Ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is a custom sized 36" x 36" x 17" ottoman, which is upholstered in a nutmeg brown leather...
Steel
$3,900 / item
White Mongolian Sheepskin and Polished Brass Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the seating options from Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection, the ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered in luxurious white Mongolian...
Steel
Tan Nubuck Leather and Antique Brass Armchair and Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection began from a place of curiosity about how furniture was constructed and the collection is a result of reimagining typical upholstered seating. This Armchair and Ottoman pair from the Inheritance Collection is upholstered in a soft, sand-colored nubuck leather sourced from renowned tannery Moore & Giles. Sitting atop an antique brass frame, the back of the Armchair is supported by belts featuring Swiss Military...
Steel
Chair and Ottoman Set with Antique Rug Upholstery
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unique chair and ottoman set in the style of Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection is upholstered with a 100-year-old Kazak Persian rug f...
Steel
$1,500 / item
Natural Veg Tan Leather and Blackened Steel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Ottoman by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed steel frame and a plush upholstered top. This versatile piece can function as seating, a sofa chaise extension, or a footstool and can pair easily with matching pieces from the Inheritance Collection or furniture from other makers. 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. The design is highly customizable, allowing you to 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 Ottoman is upholstered in natural veg tan...
Steel
$1,900 / item
Cream Leather and Polished Nickel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The ottoman from Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection is a versatile piece to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered in a smooth, cream-c...
Steel
$1,700 / item
Mauve Leather and Antique Brass Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance Seating options, the Ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered in ...
Steel
$3,100 / item
Pebbled Taupe & Antique Nickel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The ottoman from Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection is a versatile piece to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This ottoman is upholstered in a pebbled leather from the Harness collection by Moore & Giles. The foam cushion has been wrapped in down allowing for a soft and comfortable lounge experience, and sits atop an antique nickel...
Metal, Steel
Potomac Tan Leather and Blackened Steel Sofa with Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Conceived in 2011, the Inheritance Sofa design was the first piece in The Inheritance collection by Stephen Kenn. Beginning from a place of curiosity about how furniture was construc...
Steel
Providence Blue Smoke Leather and Blackened Steel Chair and Ottoman Set
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Armchair & Ottoman by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush up...
Steel
Providence Blue Smoke Leather and Blackened Steel Small Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the seating options from Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection, the Ottoman is a great and way to add a flexible lounge element to your seating arrangeme...
Steel
Grey Waxed Leather Ottoman with Charcoal Powdercoat Frame
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The ottoman from Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection is a versatile piece to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This ottoman is upholstered in a light grey waxed ...
Steel
$1,400 / item
Black Canvas and Blackened Steel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance Seating options, the Ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered in ...
Steel
$2,200 / item
Auburn Leather and Blackened Steel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance Seating options, the Ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered in ...
Steel
$3,100 / item
Blue Smoke Leather and Blackened Steel Large Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance Seating options, the Ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered in a deep, blue smoke leather...
Steel
$2,600 / item
Waxed Potomac Tan Leather and Antique Brass Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Ottoman from Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection is a versatile piece to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered in a rich tan waxed le...
Steel
$1,800 / item
Dark Olive Heavy Canvas and Blackened Steel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the inheritance seating options, the ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This large variation measures 3...
Steel
Brentwood Navy Leather and Blackened Steel Armchair and Ottoman Set
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Armchair 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
$3,000 / item
Stone Leather and Antique Nickel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the inheritance seating options, the ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered i...
Steel
$2,800 / item
Vintage Military Canvas and Polished Brass Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance Seating options, the Ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. Since first designing Inheritance Collection, Stephen Kenn has been inspired by the inherent history in vintage military-issue materials. Each piece of vintage olive green military canvas is distinctive and will have unique markings from its long history of use. The foam seat cushions have been wrapped in polyfiber, allowing for a soft and comfortable lounge experience, and sits atop a specialty polished brass plated...
Steel
$1,700 / item
Vintage Military Canvas and Tarnished Brass Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Ottoman by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed steel frame and a plush upholstered top. This versatile piece can function as seating, a sofa chaise extension, or a footstool and can pair easily with matching pieces from the Inheritance Collection or furniture from other makers. This ottoman comes with a removable cushion cover to allow for easy cleaning should the need arise. 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. The design is highly customizable, allowing you to 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. Since the development of the Inheritance Collection, Stephen Kenn has been inspired by the history inherent in vintage military-issue materials. This version of our Inheritance Ottoman is upholstered with salvaged vintage military canvas...
Brass
$1,900 / item
Vintage Military Canvas and Blackened Steel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance seating options, the ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. Since first designing Inheritan...
Steel
$2,100 / item
Potomac Tan Leather and Blackened Steel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the inheritance seating options, the ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered in ...
Steel
$2,500 / item
Valhalla Granite Leather and Marbled Rust Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the inheritance seating options, the ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered i...
Steel
$2,400 / item
Vintage Military Canvas and Antique Brass Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance seating options, the ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. Since first designing Inheritanc...
Steel
$1,700 / item
Tan Nubuck Leather and Antique Brass Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Ottoman from Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection is an easily customizable design that can be used to add a lounge element to any seating arrangement, and pairs especially well...
Steel
$1,900 / item
Vintage Military Canvas and Marbled Rust Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance Seating options, the Ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. Since first designing Inheritance...
Steel