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.
$6,500 / item
Grounded Collection Leather-Wrapped Shelf
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
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 76 in W 59.5 in D 19 in
Mid Century Paul McCobb Calvin Irwin Collection Shelf Bookshelf Room Divider
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Rare Mid Century sideboard, shelf unit, room divider, designed by Paul McCobb as part of the sought after Irwin Collection series for Calvin, circa 1950’s. This example features ble...
Brass
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Rattan Wrapped Shelf
Located in Miami, FL
Great shelf with glass inserts.
Brass, Metal
20th Century French Leather and Brass 3-Shelf Étagère
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant French brass 3-shelf étagère with leather shelves. Hand-painted gold leaf borders on each leather shelf in Greek key motif. Brass foliate capitals and floral decorations on s...
Brass
Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Large, 1
By Fort Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
By Margot DeMarco Materials: Pinewood with oil/wax finish. Each contour is hand shaped and rounded over following the unique grain pattern of the wood.
Pine
$1,800
H 8.67 in W 31.5 in D 18.12 in
Glass Wall Shelf with Leather-Wrapped Metal Brackets, France, 1970s
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A French wall-mounted shelf, featuring a clear glass shelf supported by a pair of sculptural metal brackets finished in a warm leather covering. The contrast between the transparent ...
Leather, Glass
Grow Shelf
By Durame
Located in Milan, IT
This striking TOTEM can be used to display objects and books and features the perfect fusion of two materials: the shaped solid larch wood of the structure and the iron shelves with ...
Iron
$236
H 7.49 in W 13.78 in D 9.85 in
60s 70s teak shelf wall shelf telephone shelf string shelf Danish design
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
60s 70s teak shelf wall shelf telephone shelf string shelf Danish design Object: wall shelf Manufacturer: Condition: good - vintage Age: around 1960-1970 Dimensions: Width = 3...
Metal
Three Shelf Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Industrial style shelving unit with black metal frame. Please confirm location.
Metal
Small Silver Contemporary Shelf
Located in Geneve, CH
Small silver Contemporary shelf Dimensions: L 40.4 x W 25.3 x H 12 cm Materials: Steel. Also available in black and gold. It is not always ...
Steel
Shelf Curva
By Cultivado em Casa
Located in Floresta, MG
The 180º bend is a common industrial feature found in steel factories. From this element, we developed a collection that incorporates softness into the rawness of the material.
Steel
alvar aalto 111 shelf
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
1940' alvar aalto design 111 shelf. This is made in Hedemora for export to abroad aalto furnitures during WW2.
Birch
Three-Tier Anglo-Indian Leather, Brass & Rattan Étagère/ Shelf
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Three-Tier Anglo-Indian Leather, Brass & Rattan Étagère/Shelf A refined and beautifully detailed Anglo-Indian three-tier étagère featuring a rich combination of materials and co...
Brass