→ The Companion Collection

The Companion Collection — A Story of Design and Affection

In our studio, every design begins with a story. Our furniture, accessories, and lifestyle goods have always been rooted in the idea that the objects we live with should reflect not only beauty and craftsmanship but also the relationships and values that define us.

The Companion Collection marks a new chapter in that philosophy — a collection born from love, loyalty, and the joy of everyday companionship. It’s a thoughtful expansion of our design language into a new category: handcrafted pet accessories that embody the same materials, principles, and attention to detail as every Stephen Kenn piece.

Inspired by a Four-Legged Friend

The story of the Companion Collection begins with Obi, our Sheepadoodle. We brought Obi home in 2018, and from that moment on, he became an inseparable part of our daily life — a constant source of energy, affection, and calm. He comes to the studio every day, greeting our clients and visitors with unfiltered joy and a wagging tail.

If you’ve ever met him, you know what we mean: Obi has a way of making every person who steps through our doors feel welcome. He’s black and white, fluffy, and endlessly gentle. In 2023 he became the perfect big brother to our young son, Ellis. Over time, he became more than just a life and studio companion — he became a muse.

As designers, we’ve always drawn inspiration from the human experience — from travel, history, craftsmanship, and materiality. But Obi reminded us of something more intimate: the small, grounding rituals that fill our days. The morning walk. The quiet companionship at our feet while we work. The shared language that doesn’t require words.

It was through this lens that we began to imagine a collection that would honor not only Obi but all the beloved companions who shape our lives in quiet, meaningful ways.

Designing with Integrity

When we began developing the Companion Collection, our goal was simple: to design pet accessories that reflect the same aesthetic and sensibility as our furniture and lifestyle pieces.

We didn’t want these items to feel like an afterthought or a novelty category — we wanted them to be true to our design language: minimal, honest, and enduring. Each piece needed to feel considered, both visually and functionally.

The collection consists of three foundational pieces: the Dog Collar (available in two sizes), the Leash, and the Waste Bag Holder. Together, they form a set of essentials designed for daily use — objects that age beautifully, function flawlessly, and tell a story over time.

We approached these designs with the same principles we use for our furniture: refined proportions, honest materials, and meticulous craftsmanship. Every edge, every stitch, every hardware choice was guided by our belief that good design should endure — in quality, in relevance, and in emotional connection.

A Commitment to Local Craftsmanship

We’re proud to make the entire Companion Collection locally in Los Angeles. This is where our studio and workshop are located, and it’s where we’ve built relationships with skilled craftspeople who share our dedication to quality.

Working locally allows us to be deeply involved in every stage of production — Built to Age Beautifully

At the heart of the Companion Collection are three essential materials: full-grain vegetable-tanned leather, solid brass hardware, and locally milled nylon webbing.

Each material was chosen for its durability, aesthetic integrity, and the way it evolves with use — a principle that has always guided our work.

Vegetable-Tanned Leather:

We selected a premium vegetable-tanned leather for its strength, texture, and natural beauty. Unlike chrome-tanned leather, vegetable tanning uses organic tannins derived from tree bark and other plant matter, creating a material that ages gracefully over time.

With each walk, each stretch of sunlight, and each day of wear, the leather will develop a patina unique to your dog — a living record of shared experiences. Available in Natural Veg Tan and Black, the leather offers two distinct personalities: one light and warm, the other deep and understated.

Locally Milled Nylon Webbing:
We chose to pair our leather with nylon webbing milled locally here in Los Angeles. The webbing adds flexibility and comfort without compromising strength, ensuring that each piece is as functional as it is refined.

The webbing colors — Brown for the Natural Veg Tan leather and Olive for the Black leather — were carefully selected to complement the leather tones and maintain the natural, utilitarian palette that defines our design work.

Solid Brass Hardware:
The finishing touch comes in the form of solid brass hardware. Brass was an intentional choice — not only for its strength but for its warm, timeless character. Unlike coated metals, solid brass will not chip or rust; instead, it develops a rich patina that echoes the aging process of the leather.

Together, these materials form a harmonious balance of beauty and utility — designed to last a lifetime and to get better with every walk, every adventure, every shared moment.

Obi’s Story

As much as this collection is about design, it’s also deeply personal. In 2021, Obi was diagnosed with Masticatory Muscle Myositis — a rare autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the muscles used for chewing.

It was an incredibly difficult time. We almost lost him. He became weak, and his joyful energy dimmed. After a long series of vet visits, tests, and treatments, we finally found a medication that keeps his condition under control — but it’s expensive and must be administered monthly.

We were fortunate — just barely — to have the resources to continue his treatment. But the experience opened our eyes to a difficult reality: many pet owners faced with chronic illness or unexpected medical costs don’t have that same ability.

We often thought about what we would have done if we couldn’t afford to pay for Obi’s medication. That question stayed with us and ultimately became part of the DNA of this collection.

Supporting The Pet Fund

In gratitude for Obi’s recovery and in recognition of the financial burden that chronic pet illnesses can place on families, we’ve chosen to donate a percentage of profit from every Companion Collection product sold to The Pet Fund — a nonprofit organization that helps pet owners pay for veterinary care for chronic or life-threatening conditions.

The Pet Fund provides grants to those who need assistance covering ongoing medical expenses, giving pets a chance at longer, healthier lives and keeping them with the families who love them.

By contributing to this cause, we hope the Companion Collection will not only celebrate the beauty of companionship but also help sustain it — ensuring that more people can experience the same joy, love, and loyalty that Obi has brought into our lives.

A Reflection on Craft

In many ways, the Companion Collection represents a full-circle moment for us. It embodies everything we value as a studio: intentional design, local craftsmanship, honest materials, and the emotional connections that give meaning to the objects we create.

It’s a reminder that design isn’t just about what we make — it’s about who we make it for, and the stories that unfold once these pieces leave our hands.

For those who live with dogs, the simple acts of care — clipping on a collar, walking together, sharing quiet space — are rituals of love. The objects that support those moments should be worthy of them.

We see this collection not just as a set of accessories, but as a small celebration of the bond between people and their companions — the kind of bond that brings light into our days, grounds us in the present, and reminds us of what matters most.

Obi may have inspired this collection, but we hope it resonates with every person who’s ever felt that unmistakable connection with their dog — that sense of mutual trust, wordless understanding, and unconditional love.

Built for Companionship

Every collar, leash, and waste bag holder in the Companion Collection carries with it a story — of craft, care, and connection.

From the hands of our Los Angeles artisans to the homes and neighborhoods where these pieces will live, we hope this collection serves as both a functional companion and a reminder of the profound joy dogs bring into our lives.

Whether you’re heading out for your first morning walk or your thousandth, may these pieces stand as symbols of gratitude — for the companionship that steadies us, the design that inspires us, and the community that connects us all.

The Companion Collection by Stephen Kenn Studio — designed for dogs, made for the people who love them.