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.
Glass and Marbled Rust Coffee Table with Swiss Military and Oxblood Belts
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A glass topped coffee table that utilizes the signature Inheritance collection belts. This version was made to pair with the military canvas and rust sofa. The steel frame has a marb...
Steel
$2,800 / item
Glass-Topped Antique Copper Coffee Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This glass-topped coffee table utilizes the signature belts from the Stephen Kenn Inheritance Collection stretched across an antique copper-plated steel frame. The belts are a replic...
Steel
$3,400 / item
Outdoor Coffee Table with Rust Powdercoat
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, the Stephen Kenn Outdoor Collection is composed o...
Steel
$3,400 / item
Outdoor Coffee Table with Bone Powdercoat
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, the Stephen Kenn Outdoor Collection is composed o...
Steel
$3,400 / item
Outdoor Charcoal Coffee Table
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, the Stephen Kenn Outdoor Collection is composed o...
Steel
$2,800 / item
Glass-Topped Antique Nickel Coffee Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This glass-topped coffee table utilizes the signature belts from the Stephen Kenn Inheritance Collection stretched across an antique nickel-plated steel frame. Every Stephen Kenn...
Steel
Glass and Marbled Rust Coffee Table with Cognac and Indigo Belts
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A glass topped coffee table that utilizes the signature Inheritance collection belts. This version was made to pair with the military canvas and rust sofa. The steel frame has a marb...
Steel
$2,500 / item
Belted Glass-Top Coffee Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A glass topped coffee table that utilizes the signature Inheritance collection belts. The steel frame has a blackened steel finish and taupe cotton webbing belts with cognac leather ...
Steel
Antique Copper and Glass Coffee Table with Indigo and Cognac Belts
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A glass topped coffee table that utilizes the signature Inheritance collection belts. This version was made to pair with the hand-dyed indigo canvas and antique copper sofa...
Steel
Glass Coffee Table with Blackened Steel Frame & Belts
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A glass topped coffee table that utilizes the signature Inheritance collection belts. The steel frame has a blackened steel finish and natural cotton webbing belts with natural veg t...
Steel
$7,400 / item
H 15.75 in W 55.12 in D 39.38 in
Oval Outdoor Coffee Table in Resin Fiberglass with Antique Finish
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary outdoor/indoor coffee table built with resin reinforced fiberglass. This highly resistant material is very durable and requires less maintenance than concrete. The table...
Resin, Fiberglass
Antique French Iron and Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Maison Jansen style Antique French iron and glass top coffee table. This table measures: 54 wide x 33 deep x 18 inches high. This table is in good Vintage Condition with one br...
Iron
Salterini Coffee Table
By Woodard Furniture Co., Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural mid century coffee table of wrought iron and metal mesh, attributed to Salterini. This example is in very good, clean, and original condition, perfect for the garden, patio, or poolside use. Please view our extensive collection of vintage garden, patio, and poolside furniture, listed at Barbarella Home...
Wrought Iron
$5,334 / item
H 15 in Dm 39 in
Set of Two Walnut and White Marbled Glass Occasional Tables - Regia Line
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Régia walnut veneer occasional tables designed by Sérgio Batista for Uultis, featuring sleek graphite metallic bases and white Carrara marbled glass tops. * Please check av...
Carrara Marble
$2,250 / item
H 21.25 in W 14.75 in D 14.75 in
Muhly Outdoor Side Table in Sage Powdercoat with Cool White Glass
By LAUN
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Muhly side table's name is taken from the native Californian Muhly grass found in the San Bernardino mountain range. It can also be spotted at th...
Stainless Steel
$4,150
H 17 in W 55.125 in D 31.5 in
French Vintage Copper Coffee Table, Chinoiserie Style, Glass Top, 1970
Located in Austin, TX
Coffee table from France with a chinoiserie style copper structure. The structure supports a clear glass top. This piece is in very nice vintage condition with only minor surface wea...
Copper
Sculpted Steel Patinated Coffee Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large sculpted steel metal and glass coffee table constructed of six saber form legs joined by 2" thick flat bar box stretchers. The table is topped with recta...
Metal
$1,975 / set
H 17.5 in W 41.25 in D 21.25 in
Mid-Century French Nickel and Brass Coffee Table with Glass Top
By Maison Baguès
Located in Dallas, TX
Executed in France circa 1950, this refined mid-century coffee table is designed in the manner of Maison Baguès, renowned for their luxurious use of gilt metal and glass. The thick r...
Brass, Nickel
Italian Glass Top Coffee Table 1970's
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This coffee table showcases a distinctive design, highlighted by its uniquely curved chrome legs that create a bold yet refined silhouette. The reflective metal brings a dynamic visu...
Chrome
Glass Top and Chrome Coffee Table
By Horst Bruning, Kill International
Located in Antwerp, BE
1970s coffee table minimalist modern chrome base with a clear glass top.
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Contemporary Wrought Iron and Glass Coffee Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
The contemporary Maison Jansen inspired wrought iron steel coffee table has a glass top inset in a frame. The two gracefully curved legs, embellished by pairs of brass knobs, are sec...
Iron
$16,477 / item
H 15.75 in Dm 47.25 in
Jean Bronze Lost Wax Cast Butterfly Indoor or Outdoor Coffee Table by Fred&Juul
By Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
A swarm of butterflies as delicate as a lace table cloth forms an everlasting table top in white bronze, lost wax cast by Italian master craftsmen. A sculptural table for both indoor...
Metal, Bronze