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.
Vintage Military Canvas Guest Bed Sofa with Storage Drawers
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This deep and loungey sofa is comprised of two pieces that can easily be converted to two single beds, or a split king bed. When in the guest bed configuration, each bed is the size of a twin mattress and fits twin sheets. When pushed together it forms a king sized bed and can fit king sheet...
Walnut, Canvas
$30,500 / item
Waxed Tan Leather & Antique Brass Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Sectional 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 sectional...
Steel
$17,600 / item
Tan Wool & Antique Nickel Small Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Our sectionals are great ways to customize your space and create the ultimate lounge spaces. This variation is upholstered in a warm tan wool. The foam seat cushions have been wra...
Steel
$11,900 / item
Vintage Military Canvas & Marbled Rust Chaise Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sectional version of the Inheritance collection sofa made with military canvas upholstery and a marbled rust frame finish. The belts are made with cotton webbing, oxblood brown lea...
Steel
$12,700 / item
Grey Wool & Blackened Steel Lounge Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sectional has an extra-wide chaise section to allow for the whole family to lounge together. Made in two pieces, leather cuffs are included to connect...
Steel
$13,600 / item
Black Wool & Antique Brass Chaise Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A small sectional style piece with an antique brass frame finish and charcoal wool blend upholstery. This item can function as two independent pieces, ...
Steel
$17,700 / item
Black Wool & Antique Brass "L" Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A larger sectional style piece with open sides, an antique brass frame finish and charcoal wool blend upholstery. This item can function as three independent pieces, lined up to crea...
Steel
$15,600 / item
Grey Wool & Antique Nickel Small Chaise Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mini sectional! This one has grey wool upholstery and an antique nickel frame finish. The belts are made with natural cotton webbing, veg tan leather an...
Steel
Dark Olive Heavy Canvas and Blackened Steel Large Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Kenn's Inheritance collection sectionals are a great way to customize your space and create the ultimate lounge environment. This variation is upholstered in a heavyweight...
Steel
$17,200 / item
Military Canvas and Blackened Steel Large Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Our sectionals are great ways to customize your space and create the ultimate lounge spaces. 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...
Steel
$16,200 / item
Vintage US Mailbag and Blackened Steel Large Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection sectionals are a great to customize your space and create the ultimate lounge environment. Since first designing Inheritance Collection, Stephen Kenn has been inspired by the inherent history in vintage materials. Each piece of washed canvas used in this upholstery is distinctive and will have unique markings from its long history of use as a mailbag. The foam seat cushions have been wrapped in polyfiber, allowing for a soft and comfortable lounge experience. Sitting atop a blackened steel frame, the piece has support belts featuring natural cotton webbing, aged veg tan leather, and antique buckles...
Steel
Vintage Military Canvas and Blackened Steel Small Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Our sectionals are great ways to customize your space and create the ultimate lounge spaces. Since first designing Inheritance Collection, Stephen Kenn has been inspired by the inh...
Steel
Vintage Military Canvas and Blackened Steel Four-Seat Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Our sectionals are great ways to customize your space and create the ultimate lounge spaces. Since first designing Inheritance Collection, Stephen Kenn has been inspired by the inh...
Steel
$18,400 / item
Outdoor Cream and 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
$13,700 / item
Military Canvas & Blackened Steel Medium Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Our sectionals are great ways to customize your space and create the ultimate lounge spaces. 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...
Steel
$28,500 / item
Waxed Moss Green Leather & Antique Copper L Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Sectionals are comfortable and almost infinitely customizable. 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. You can start with customizing the shape and depth of your sectional, and then select from a wide range of finishes and materials to complement your home and lifestyle. This version of our Inheritance Sectional is upholstered in waxed moss leather from the Brentwood Collection by Moore & Giles. The foam seat cushions have been wrapped in down for added softness and comfort. Sitting atop an antique copper plated...
Steel
$19,300 / item
Light Grey Wool and Blackened Steel L Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Sectional 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. This sectional comes with removable cushion covers 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. With this highly customizable sectional...
Steel
$12,900 / item
Natural Canvas & Tarnished Brass Small Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Our sectionals are great ways to customize your space and create the ultimate lounge spaces. This variation is upholstered in a warm natural canvas. The foam seat cushions have bee...
Steel
$12,400 / item
Vintage Military Canvas & Marbled Rust Lounge Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Our sectionals are great ways to customize your space and create the ultimate lounge spaces. 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...
Steel
$23,000 / item
Smoke Leather & Blackened Steel Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Sectional 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 sectional...
Steel
$12,300 / item
Black Canvas and Antique Brass Lounge Sectional
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The inheritance sectional 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. This sectional comes with removable cushion covers 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. With this highly customizable sectional...
Steel
$11,896 / set
H 27.56 in W 35.44 in D 82.68 in
Rolf Benz Vintage Oxred Leather Living room Sofa Ensemble, Germany, 1970
By Rolf Benz
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This stunning leather Living suite room sofa ensemble was produced by Rolf Benz an manufactured in Germany. It is a pure 70ties design with timele...
Leather, Upholstery, Plastic, Wood, Beech
Italian Mid-Century Sectional
Located in Red Lion, PA
Vintage original Italian mid-century sofa/sectional. Made up of two pieces that fit together at an angle creating a curve shape, sitting on tapered wood legs. The sofa is certainly a...
Fabric, Wood
$2,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29 in W 132 in D 82 in
Vintage Bernhardt 4 Piece Sectional, for Custom Reupholstery
By Bernhardt
Located in Denver, CO
1980s sectional by Bernhardt. Custom reupholstery labor of sectional included in the price (labor and materials, except for fabric). COM or MENO can advise and order fabrics. Fabric...
Fabric, Upholstery
$33,000
H 30 in W 134 in D 61 in
Exceptional Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Large Sectional Sofa Rust Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) Serpentine sofa, #150 Exceptional and large unique curvaceous form USA, newly upholstered rust color bouclé fabric, walnut base in good condition unmarked and comes with receipt from Haute Living...
Bouclé, Walnut
$18,748
H 32.5 in W 132 in D 103 in
Lifetime Italian Leather Sectional Chaise Tufting Tone on Tone Stitching
By Giorgio Collection
Located in New York, NY
Italian made Lifetime leather sectional, Light soft color with soft tufting on the seating and tone on tone stitching. Smoke metal legs. Measures: Width 132" Depth 103" Height 32.5...
Steel
Contemporary Flora Sofa in Cane Leather with White Oak Base
By Michael Felix
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The flora is just as comfortable as it looks. Completely wrapped in down and feather from the arms to the cushions and backs helps to create the marshmallow look. Shown in the cane l...
Leather
Monumental Vintage 12 Piece Sectional Sofa
By Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
They don’t make them like this anymore! This spectacular monumental modular sofa consists of six regular and four rounded corner pieces, plus two rolling ottomans. Designed to form a...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$5,996Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 120 in D 34 in
1970s Modular Slim Chenille Tan Sectional on Castors
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, sectional you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it...
Upholstery, Wood
Minotti Light Grey Sectional Sofa
By Rodolfo Dordoni, Minotti
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the epitome of modern luxury - the Light Grey Sectional Sofa by Minotti. This piece exudes sophistication and elegance, perfect for any contemporary living space. Crafted...
Fabric
SURGE SECTIONAL - Modern Sectional Sofa in Cream Faux Leather
By Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
SURGE SECTIONAL - Modern Sectional Sofa in Cream Faux Leather The Surge Sectional Sofa in cream faux leather is a luxurious and stylish piece of furniture that is perfect for any mo...
Upholstery
Large Custom Sectional Sofa with Chaise Lounge
Located in Greenwich, CT
This sectional sofa was a custom order that features three sections: a chaise lounge, loveseat and pod chaise. It also features a low back, with track arms. The back cushions are stu...
Wood
Mid Century Preview Sectional Sofa with Chaise
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mid Century Preview Sectional Sofa with Chaise This sectional sofa measures: 113 wide x 67 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height of 17 ...
Upholstery, Wood