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.
$8,500 / item
Ebonized Oak and Antique Brass Large Dining Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A solid oak and steel dining table, perfect for seating 6-10 people comfortably. This version has an antique brass frame finish and an ebonized oak tabletop. White oak, walnut, or ma...
Steel
Blackened Steel Dining Chair with Black Leather Upholstered Seat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A steel and leather chair with a comfortable seat, easily stackable to save space when needed. This tonal version has a blackened steel frame with a black leather upholstered seat. S...
Steel
$9,500 / set
Ebonized Oak and Antique Copper Dining Set
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Clean lines and high quality materials are the basis of Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection. This simple yet elegant dining set features a solid ebonized oak tabletop with an antiq...
Steel
Granite Leather and Antique Brass Dining Chair with Blackened Steel Frame
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A steel and leather chair with a comfortable seat, easily stackable to save space when needed. This version has a blackened steel frame, am antique brass backrest, and a granite leat...
Steel
Walnut and Antique Nickel Dining Set with Four Dining Chairs
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dining goods are one of the newest additions to Stephen Kenn's The Inheritance collection. A solid walnut and steel dining table with simple and modern lines, with a set of four matc...
Steel
$8,700 / item
Ebonized Oak and Polished Nickel Large Dining Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Clean lines and high quality materials are the basis of Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection. This simple yet elegant dining table can comfortably seat up to 10 guests, and features...
Nickel
Antique Brass, Blackened Steel & Sunbrella Cream Canvas Dining Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A steel and canvas chair with a comfortable seat, easily stackable to save space when needed. This version has a blackened steel frame, an antique brass backrest, and a Sunbrella cre...
Steel
$4,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 104 in D 44 in
Mastercraft Burl and Brass Extendable Dining Table and Six Chairs
By Mastercraft, Charak Furniture Company, William Doezema
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1960s dining table and six chairs designed by William Doezema for Mastercraft retailed by Charak of Boston. Briar root burl veneer although frequently identified as Amboyna. ...
Brass
Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
By Norman Cherner
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight sculptural dining chairs, designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft, American, circa 1950s. They have all been refinished and reupholstered in black vinyl. They measure: 3...
Upholstery, Wood
$5,800 / set
H 42.5 in W 21.5 in D 21 in
Set of Eight French Dining Chairs Purchased from Ralph Lauren
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight French dining chairs, originally purchased from Ralph Lauren, NYC, when they were selling antiques in the early 2000s. The chai...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Henredon Black Lacquer and Burl Dining Set
By Henredon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chinoiserie-style burl and black lacquer dining set by Henredon of Morganton, NC, USA circa 1980. Oval table is composed of a burl inset surfa...
Burl, Cane, Wood
$1,995 / set
H 40.5 in W 19 in D 18.25 in
Arthur Umanoff Mid-Century Modern Granada Dining Table with Four Chairs
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 5-piece dining set which includes 4 high back chairs and a round glass top table that is 29.5 height and 36 in diameter Set is designed by ...
Iron
Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Magnificent and fully original Tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen. It is produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 5 original tulip chairs and the o...
Carrara Marble, Metal
$6,587 / set
H 31.75 in W 84.5 in D 45.5 in
Chinese Hard Wood Dining Table & Eight Matching Chairs all with Stylized Carving
Located in London, GB
A super quality Chinese hardwood dining table, with eight matching chairs including two armchairs. The dining table with a wipeable rice impregna...
Teak
$14,000 / set
H 31 in W 22 in D 25 in
Mid-Century Modern Chrome Set of 8 Chairs and Dining Conference Table
By Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Milo Baughman attributed dining or conference room set consisting of 8 chrome upholstered chairs and sqaure 60x60 dining table. The chairs upholstered in suede light...
Chrome
$5,035 / set
H 28.15 in Dm 51.19 in
Dining Room Set with Table and Four Chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s
By Giotto Stoppino
Located in Hellouw, NL
Very nice dining room set by Giotto Stoppino from the 1970s in Italy. This set consists of a dining table and four matching dining room chairs. The table has a tubular, chrome-plated...
Metal, Chrome
Lovely Dining Set, Four Chairs and a Dining Room Table
Located in New York, NY
This set includes a dining room table that includes an attachment. The table is approximately 53 inches long, but the extension adds 16 inches, making it nearly 70 inches in length. ...
Wood
Set of Six Rattan or Bamboo Dining Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of six rattan or bamboo dining chairs, American, circa 1960s. They retain their warm original patina. This came from an estate with the matchi...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Frank Pollaro Custom Large Square Dining Table
By Pollaro
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Art Deco style custom dining table, hand made by Frank Pollaro, American, circa 2000. This custom dining creation, made of hand rubbed plum puddin...
Mahogany
Ebonized Oak and Antique Brass Expandable Dining Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A solid oak and steel dining table with a unique expandable feature. This version has an antique brass frame finish and an ebonized oak tabletop. A leaf sits just beneath the table s...
Steel