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 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
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
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
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
Bronze and Rosewood Coffee Table Designed by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger
Located in Stamford, CT
A bronze coffee table with rosewood tipped feet designed by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar, circa 1960.
Bronze
Modern Industrial Coffee Table by Peter Harrison. Square Glass, Metal, Wood
By Peter Harrison
Located in Middle Grove, NY
The Hana coffee table by Peter Harrison joins squares of solid walnut with industrial aluminum brackets. The base is semi-symmetrical having the same elements pointing up as down, ye...
Aluminum
Coffee Table in Rosewood and Glass by Henning Nørgaard, 1960's
By Henning Norgaard
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Coffee Table in Rosewood and Glass by Henning Nørgaard, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood and glass Produced by Komfort in Denmark Dimensions (W x D x H): 110 x 110 ...
Rosewood, Glass
Handmade Modern Coffee Table with Glass Top Metal & Mahogany Wood
By Peter Harrison
Located in Middle Grove, NY
The Elara table by Peter Harrison features a gradient from dense to sparse of legs with a single cross over detail. The 22 legs are varying heights which occasionally reach the glass. Levelers in each leg assure that the table can be adjusted to any floor. The wood is mahogany. The hardware is all stainless steel...
Stainless Steel
Glass and Bubinga Coffee Table by Thomas Throop Black Creek Designs In Stock
By Black Creek Designs LLC
Located in New Canaan, CT
This Novo Coffee table features a sublimely straight forward figured bubinga base supporting a 1/2" thick glass top. The design affords a clear top surface while offering display space below on the highly figured bubinga shelf. The supporting legs are tapered which is accentuated by tapered champers which lead the eye from the mass of the bottom to up the glass support points in a highly unique shape. This is a very versatile design that can accommodate a variety of symmetrical shapes with corresponding lower shelf. These shapes include circle, square, oval and rectangle as shown. Matching side tables can also be made to any height utilizing the same design and structural language. The overall effect is a highly sculptural table that is ultimately very functional. Each element is selected, shaped, joined and finished so as to create a unified design. The Novo coffee table is designed and made at the Black Creek Designs studio in New Canaan, CT by Thomas Throop...
Glass, Bubinga
Modern Industrial Coffee Table, by Peter Harrison, Glass Top Metal and Wood
By Peter Harrison
Located in Middle Grove, NY
Maui is a rectangular coffee table comprised of square pieces of solid walnut and Industrial aluminum brackets. The semi-symmetrical base has the same elements pointing up and down. ...
Aluminum
