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.
White Oak & 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 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
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
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
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
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
Modern Stainless Steel and Oak Side / End Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
Modern stainless steel cube table with inset oak veneered top. Recently refinished, and in excellent condition. American, 20th century.
Stainless Steel
Compose Side Table White Oiled Oak Black by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Compose side table white oiled oak black by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 50 x H 49 cm Material: White oiled oak veneer, Powder coated steem frame Weight: 2.5 kg Also available in different finishes. Stylish coffee table and side table with a unique combination of wood and metal for a distinct lightness. Compose comes in two sizes and brings Nordic aesthetics into your home. The large table is perfect as a light and elegant coffee table, while the small table is the natural choice...
Steel
Modern contemporary square side table, stainless steel & black ash wood, Belgium
By barh.design
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
Joined is a collection of side tables. The name speaks for itself. The tables have one thing in common, they all exist around a crucial part, the joint, keeping all pieces together. ...
Stainless Steel
Contemporary Mica Side Table in Ancient Matai Wood and Aged Steel
By Tréology
Located in Papanui, Christchurch
The Mica Side Table is a modern piece made from an ancient matai tree (a native timber of New Zealand) that has fallen naturally into rivers and preserved for hundreds of years under...
Steel
Contemporary Boton Two Side Table Conacaste Wood with Black Stain by Labrica
By Labrica, Ricardo Velasquez
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Inspired by old brass buttons and cufflinks, this series includes three different table tops each with a distinct base. The series continues to grow and each piece can be modified to...
Wood
Contemporary Modern Collin Side Table in Oak & Metal Black by Collector Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
21st century designed by Collector Studio Collin side table. The slender legs of wood and metal, the beautiful crossing details and a contrasting solid wood top, provides a large com...
Oak
