Kipp Stewart Directional Original Leather Stainless Steel Lounge Chair Ottoman
About the Item
- Creator:Directional (Manufacturer),Kipp Stewart (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 28 in (71.12 cm)Depth: 35 in (88.9 cm)Seat Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some color touch-ups to original leather.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:
Kipp Stewart
The ultimate multi-hyphenate, Kipp Stewart counted painting, photography, architecture and furniture design among his talents. Known to furniture obsessives for the Declaration series he codesigned for North Carolina’s Drexel Furniture, Stewart was actually born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1928 and is most commonly associated with mid-century design movements of his adopted home state of California. There, in 1972, Stewart designed the Ventana Big Sur, a luxury resort near Montecito for which he oversaw architecture, planning, furniture and interior design across 160 acres of land.
By the time Stewart spearheaded the Ventana, he was already well versed in furniture design. After briefly serving in the U.S. Navy as a teenager, Stewart enrolled at the Chouinard Art Institute (present-day CalArts) in Los Angeles.
By the time he graduated, Stewart was steeped in the world of modern seating design, experimenting with new chair models that bridged form and function. Charles and Ray Eames were important influences on his early work, which included a chrome-framed lounge chair whose reclined shape bears a striking resemblance to the Eameses’ iconic lounge.
In the late 1950s, Stewart partnered with another West Coast furniture designer, Stewart MacDougall, on a line of modern furniture for Drexel. (The pair were also producing case pieces and more for Glenn of California.)
Drexel soon unveiled Stewart and McDougall’s Declaration line, which was constructed entirely of natural walnut and featured the choice of white porcelain or brass drawer pulls and cabinet door handles. Although its stylish credenzas and other pieces reflect the kind of slim-lined, low-slung silhouettes for which mid-century design has become known, there are also elements that nod to earlier American and European furniture design, such as the dining chairs whose flattened spindle backs recall Shaker and Windsor chair design, distinguishing them from the modern designs becoming prolific in Scandinavia at the time.
The Declaration pieces were so indicative of a particularly American style, in fact, that several items from the collection were selected by the U.S. government to represent the country at the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958.
While Stewart found success as a painter and with his Ventana hotel project — and had also designed chairs, chests and more for Directional — the Drexel Declaration line is his best-known furniture collection and remains highly sought after by collectors today.
Find a wide range of vintage Kipp Stewart furniture on 1stDibs, including dining room chairs, end tables and more.
Directional
A brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere, Directional Furniture opened its doors after American furniture designer Paul McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York–based Modernage Company.
In his pivotal introduction of postwar modernism to the mass market, the revered Massachusetts-born McCobb had established several lines, from the affordable and refined Planner Group for Winchendon to the swooping and unexpected arms of the Symmetric Group for Widdicomb, a Shaker-inspired collection that included a sofa and a lounge chair. Like all of McCobb’s designs, the Directional pieces for Modernage are defined by a sleek aesthetic in which the focus is on elegant functionality, frequently using fine materials such as brass and walnut. In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company.
The pair’s first pieces were upholstered chairs, intended to harmonize with the modular Multiplex pieces designed by Martin Feinman. McCobb then designed an array of furniture including storage, dining, seating, desks and other pieces with details such as leather tops, wood finishes and Roman Travertine surfaces. While Directional stopped production of McCobb’s work in the early 1960s, it still released numerous pieces by leading designers manufactured by a variety of companies.
Designer Paul Evans led the factory for a time after joining in 1964. His provocative work for the company often reflected his understanding of materials from his early training as a silversmith, such as the popular Cityscape series — a milestone in brutalist design — with its blocky forms accented with brass and chrome. At his shop in Lambertville, New Jersey, he collaborated with a design team to clad furniture pieces in metallic surfaces, like the Argente line that began production in 1968 and involved an acetylene torch to give its aluminum material a textural quality. He also worked on the Sculpted Bronze series with hand-formed resin shaped over plywood or steel that was then coated with atomized bronze.
Other Directional designers included Vladimir Kagan, who contributed biomorphic sofas and swivel chairs; Milo Baughman, who created tables and dressers inspired by Scandinavian modernism; and Jack Lenor Larsen, who covered sofas in dynamically patterned fabric.
Find authentic Directional Furniture seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Caldwell, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Signed Directional Sculptural Cubist Style Pair Lounge Chairs Vintage & OriginalBy DirectionalLocated in Philadelphia, PAThese super stylish cubist form club or lounge chairs retain their original patterned upholstery! But that's not the best part. Light weight, medium scale, super comfortable, you'll ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Lounge Chair by Vladimir Kagan for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Philadelphia, PAA stunning dramatic form lounge chair designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in the 1980's. Its retains the original upholstery which needs to be recovered. Padding a...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
- Ekornes Stressless Stressless Lounge Chair & Ottoman, Navy Blue Leather & SteelBy Ekornes StresslessLocated in Philadelphia, PAMade by Danish company Ekornes, this chair and ottoman combo is part of their Stressless line of lounge chairs. Like their other chairs, this model is very comfortable and fully adju...Category
Early 2000s Danish Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Bernhardt Design Four Sleek Mid Century Lounge Chairs Stainless Steel LeatherBy Bernhardt DesignLocated in Philadelphia, PAFour (4) low slung, wide, angular-framed and trim leather-upholstered, super comfy lounge chairs attributed to the world famous Multi-Discipline Designer, Fabien Baron. And manufactu...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Pair Vladimir Kagan Directional Nautilus Corkscrew Matching Grey Swivel ChairsBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Philadelphia, PADesigned by Vladimir Kagan for prestigious manufacturer Directional, this identical, not symmetrical, pair of chairs are rare and exclusive. Their distinct and organic design feature...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood, Suede
- Pair of Vladimir Kagan Directional Nautilus Corkscrew Swivel Chairs Black & BlueBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Philadelphia, PADesigned by Vladimir Kagan for prestigious manufacturer Directional, this symmetrical (left and right) pair of chairs are rare and exclusive. Their distinct and organic design featur...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Kipp Stewart Rosewood and Walnut Lounge Chair and OttomanBy Kipp Stewart, DirectionalLocated in Kalamazoo, MIThis is a beautiful and rare lounge chair and ottoman pairing designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional in 1960. Superb form and beautiful woods combine in this walnut frame chair wit...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRosewood, Walnut
- Kipp Stewart Modern Lounge Chairs by DirectionalBy Kipp Stewart, DirectionalLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern "Arc" lounge chairs features heavy chrome frames and sleek Kipp Stewart design. Quality vintage craftsmanship by Directional furniture, this p...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Kipp Stewart for Directional ChairsBy Kipp Stewart, DirectionalLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of spectacular mid-century modern lounge chairs designed by Kipp Stewart. Scoop frame with soft leather set on polished chrome. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Drexel Declaration Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougallBy Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, DrexelLocated in Topeka, KSStunning Drexel Declaration molded plywood and black faux leather lounge chair and ottoman by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are...Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Plywood
- Mid Century Kipp Stewart “Arc Lounge Chairs” for DirectionalBy Directional, Kipp StewartLocated in Baltimore, MDA stunning pair of mid-century modern 1960s “Arc” lounge chairs designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional furniture. An exceptional pair, both for their form and quality. The pair emb...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Kipp Stewart Black Leather and Chrome Arc Lounge Chairs for Directional - a PairBy Kipp Stewart, DirectionalLocated in Miami, FLPair of black leather and chrome Arc lounge chairs designed by Kipp Stewart and manufactured by Directional. The leather backrest and leather cove...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome