Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart Writing Desk for Glenn of California
View Similar Items
Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart Writing Desk for Glenn of California
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 52 in (132.08 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Newly Refinished.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU97113200312
Kipp Stewart
The ultimate multi-hyphenate, Kipp Stewart (b. 1928) 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, he 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 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.
Glenn of California
Credited for being at the forefront of the West Coast modernist design movement, Glenn of California introduced a relaxed, breezy and elegant style to postwar America. The company was based in Arcadia, California, a city situated near Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. It specialized in the production of easily accessible and reasonably affordable furnishings that included credenzas, chairs, cabinets, tables and more.
However, it wasn’t until Glenn of California hired the prolific American furniture designer Milo Baughman that the company made a name for itself in the annals of American mid-century modern design. Baughman prioritized function — he worked with simple forms and often used sleek, flat-bar chromed metal and natural materials such as walnut in his pieces.
Glenn of California marketed Baughman’s designs along with those of unsung Swedish architect and designer Greta Magnusson-Grossman in their successful California Modern collection. The first woman to receive an award from the Swedish Society of Industrial Design, Grossman drew on her Scandinavian heritage to create iconic homes as well as furnishings for Glenn and other companies that helped define mid-century-era Southern California. The furniture she and Baughman designed became known for its laid-back Los Angeles style and thoughtful integration of walnut, iron and Formica.
In addition to employing the talents of Baughman and Magnusson-Grossman, Glenn of California collaborated with several other notable and influential designers. These included Stanley Young, Kipp Stewart, John Kapel and Paul Laszlo. Laszlo, an American-Hungarian architect, interior designer and furniture designer, was well-regarded among Hollywood’s elite and designed pieces for Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck and Elizabeth Taylor.
While the company is no longer in business, vintage Glenn of California furniture remains highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts.
Discover a range of vintage Glenn of California dressers, dining tables, chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall Highboy Chest for Glenn of CaliforniaBy Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Glenn of CaliforniaLocated in Los Angeles, CAKipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall Highboy Chest for Glenn of California. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bring...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood, Walnut, Lacquer
- Mid-Century Modern Dresser by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougallBy Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Glenn of CaliforniaLocated in Los Angeles, CAMid-century modern dresser designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Glenn of California in the United States circa 1950s. Newly refinished by our expert craftsmen, this sp...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall “Declaration” Dresser for DrexelBy Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, DrexelLocated in Los Angeles, CASplendid dresser designed by Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall for Drexel’s Declaration line in the United States circa 1950’s. This beautiful dresser has been recently refinished by...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of MartinsvilleBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Los Angeles, CAMerton L. Gershun walnut writing desk for American of Martinsville. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing h...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Milo Baughman Sculpted Walnut Dresser for Glenn of CaliforniaBy Milo Baughman, Glenn of CaliforniaLocated in Los Angeles, CATransforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Milo Baughman Two-Tone Lacquered Highboy for Glenn of CaliforniaBy Milo Baughman, Glenn of CaliforniaLocated in Los Angeles, CAMilo Baughman two-tone lacquered highboy for Glenn of California. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsSteel
- Glenn of California by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall DresserBy Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougallLocated in Brooklyn, NYElegance and function seamlessly blend together in this beautiful mid-century modern six-drawer dresser. Walnut construction shows off a rich, natural wood grain while complimentary ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum
$2,940 Sale Price30% Off - Greta Magnusson-Grossman Desk for Glenn of CaliforniaBy Glenn of California, Greta Magnusson GrossmanLocated in Los Angeles, CAGreta Magnusson-Grossman desk for Glenn of California, c.1950s, USA. This stunning desk features a mixed base of walnut and iron with a black laminated writing surface and cabinet do...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsIron
- Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Corner DeskBy Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in Countryside, ILKipp Stewart for Drexel declaration mid century walnut corner desk This desk measures: 52.5 wide x 40.25 deep x 31.5 inches high, with a c...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- Kipp Stewart for Drexel Walnut Tambour Door Secretary Desk with Bookcase, 1966By Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern bureau with tambour door secretary desk and bookcase By Kipp Stewart for Drexel, "Declaration" Collection USA, 1966 ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Mid Century Modern Kipp Stewart for Drexel Secretary Desk Hutch With BookcaseBy Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in North Hollywood, CAWonderful vintage Mid Century Modern secretary desk designed by Drexel group, it is marked inside the drawer and in the back too. This iconic desk is made of walnut wood and brass ha...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Walnut Floating Tambour Desk Attributed to Glenn of CaliforniaBy Glenn of CaliforniaLocated in North Hollywood, CAmidcentury walnut floating tambour desk manufactured in the United States, circa 1960s. This vintage desk features a beautiful walnut grain and floating leg...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass