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.
Antique Brass and Blackened Steel Side Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to be used as an easy surface for dining or working from a laptop while lounging, this table can be paired with your own furniture or the matching sofa or chair from the Inh...
Steel
Antique Copper & Antique Nickel Side Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to be used as an easy surface for dining or working from a laptop while lounging, this table can be paired with your own furniture or the matching sofa or chair from the Inh...
Steel
Antique Nickel & Blackened Steel Side Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to be used as an easy surface for dining or working from a laptop while lounging, this table can be paired with your own furniture or the matching sofa or chair from the Inh...
Steel
Blackened Steel Side Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to be used as an easy surface for dining or working from a laptop while lounging, this table can be paired with your own furniture or the matching sofa or chair from the Inheritance Collection by Stephen Kenn. The low profile base slips under the edge of most sofas or chairs. This version features a matching blackened steel...
Steel
Side Table with Antique Brass Frame and Blackened Steel Top
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to be used as an easy surface for dining or working from a laptop while lounging, this table can be paired with your own furniture or the matching sofa or chair from the Inh...
Brass, Steel
White Oak & Blackened Steel Side Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to be used as an easy surface for dining or working from a laptop while lounging, this table can be paired with your own furniture or the matching sofa or chair from the Inh...
Steel
Thin Table 1 in Contemporary Blackened Steel and Oxidized Steel
By Kin & Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The juxtaposition between the playful, anthropomorphic design of the thin 1 and its subtle form and detailing, results in a piece that is equal parts whimsical and sophisticated.
Steel
Oxidised Copper Side Table / End Table / Pair Available
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
The robot side table with an oxidised copper finish. Every robot side table is individually coated, hence they all have a slightly different finish. Th...
Copper, Steel
Side Table Black Oak Structure and Hammered Copper Top Brass Finish
By Laura Noriega
Located in Guadalajara, Jal.
"Venus" side tables in copper hammered by hand are inspired by the planet Venus, so bright that it can be seen during the day as the luminous beautiful copper as light as its symbol; stylized representation contained by a circle with a small cross below. Measure: 60cm. Shapes and tones that inspire “Venus” tables...
Copper
Patinated Steel Side table with Hammered Legs
Located in Dallas, TX
A striking accent piece that brings industrial character to any room. This side table features a rich patinated steel top with warm, weathered tones that develop naturally over time....
Steel
Contemporary Side Table 'Charles M', by LINTELOO, Bronze
By Linteloo, Sebastian Herkner
Located in Paris, IDF
Charles Side Table Designed by Sebastian Herkner for Linteloo Model shown on main picture: - M : H. 46 x 32,5 x 42 cm - Finish : Cast aluminum in Bronze --- Cast from a hand-model...
Metal, Aluminum
Brian Thoreen Bronze Growth Side Table
By Brian Thoreen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cast bronze and brass table by LA-based designer Brian Thoreen. Custom sizes and finishes are available.
Brass, Bronze
