Today, Dakota Jackson’s luxury chairs, sofas, tables and other pieces are known for their stylish and expressive forms, so it’s perhaps not a surprise that the American contemporary furniture designer has spent a lifetime immersed in the arts.
Born to a family of professional magicians, Jackson was raised in a household that had a flair for the dramatic. A young Dakota moved to Manhattan and mingled with the bustling creative scene. There, he studied minimalist dance at multiple companies, performed with an experimental theater group and worked in special effects. His fascination with illusion and drama seeped into his creative inclinations, especially when he decided to shift his artistic energy toward furniture.
Jackson’s foray into design began in the 1970s when he got his hands dirty during the build-out of his loft apartment in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood back when lofts weren’t quite the heavenly residences of today. He constructed his own walls and bathroom fixtures and worked with a variety of materials that included lacquered wood, leather and chrome-plated steel, crafting intriguing seating and case pieces that would later end up in museums. (His famed Library chair is part of the collection at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.)
Jackson’s work became so well known throughout the buzzing art scene that he garnered the attention of reputable antique dealers who enlisted him to restore their own pieces of furniture. In 1974, Yoko Ono became a client. She commissioned Jackson to design a desk for John Lennon’s birthday. After he finished the former Beatle’s custom piece — an unconventional Art Deco–style writing desk that mirrored a Chinese puzzle box with secret compartments and hidden drawers — celebrities flocked to Jackson like bees to honey, and his name became synonymous with immaculate craftsmanship as well as the era’s radical American Art Furniture movement, which drew on Surrealism, Pop art and other traditions.
Even Belgian fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg asked Jackson to create the now-famous Eclipse bed, a sensual, striking structure framed in glossy cherrywood and upholstered in satin. In 1978, the lifelong arts lover paired a piano factory with his furniture manufacturing company and collaborated with Steinway & Sons on the design of several limited-edition pianos over the years. Today, Dakota Jackson, Inc., counts massive corporations among his clients and continues to design new collections.
Find a collection of Dakota Jackson furniture on 1stDibs.
Dakota Jackson Leather Swivel Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Vintage Swivel Arm Chair by Dakota Jackson - a timeless piece of furniture that exudes elegance and sophistication. Crafted wi...
Leather, Wood
$6,832 / item
H 30.71 in W 29.53 in D 29.53 in
Mid-Century Modern Caju Swivel Lounge Chair, Leather Boucle, Handmade Greenapple
By Greenapple, Rute Martins
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Caju Swivel Lounge Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Caju swivel lounge chair embodies the perfect balance between organic design and sophisticated elegance. Inspired by the natural curves of a cashew, its enveloping silhouette and premium upholstery make it a standout piece of unparalleled comfort in contemporary interiors. A favorite swivel lounge chair among designers, Caju seamlessly combines artistry and design, becoming a timeless addition to any living space. Designed by Rute Martins, Greenapple's Creative Director. The Caju Armchair...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Swivel Chair by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An upholstered swiveling lounge chair in leather with a tilt mechanism on a metal disc base.
Steel
$8,010 / item
H 34.26 in W 33.08 in D 37.41 in
Modern Capelinhos Swivel Lounge Chair, Leather, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Capelinhos Swivel Lounge Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Capelinhos swivel lounge chair with footstool celebrates exceptio...
Leather, Wood, Oak, Alpaca, Bouclé, Linen, Velvet, Walnut, Lacquer
Midcentury Swivel Chairs, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
-made of metal, fabric, leather - made in Germany - good original condition.
Metal
$2,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 37.5 in W 25 in D 25 in
Pair of Dakota Jackson PFM Royale Leather Dining Armchairs
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic pair of hardwood dining armchairs designed by Dakota Jackson known as PFM Royale chairs. The pair feature whimsical bowed arms conjoined to a generous seating area with cogn...
Leather, Hardwood
$2,650Sale Price|10% Off
H 25.99 in Dm 23.63 in
Vintage Italian Space Age Yellow Leather Accent Swivel Chair by Antonia Astori
By Antonia Astori, Cidue
Located in Milano, IT
Yellow Vintage Latex Armchairs 70's/80's - Mid Century Modern Timeless Vintage Italian "Cidonio" Space Age swivel chair, designed by Antonia Astori for furniture brand Cidue. Prese...
Aluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel
$3,298Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.8 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Giovanni Gariboldi Swivel Chair in Leather and Wood, Italy, 1940s
By Giovanni Gariboldi
Located in Milan, IT
Giovanni Gariboldi Swivel chair in leather and wood, Superb office chair.
Brass
$14,128 / set
H 32.29 in W 29.53 in D 31.5 in
Contemporary Caju Swivel Lounge Chair Set/2, Boucle, Faux Fur, by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Contemporary Caju Swivel Lounge Chair Set/2, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Caju swivel lounge chair embodies the perfect balance betwe...
Brass
French Art Deco Swivel Chair by Jules Leleu, Mahogany & Leather
By Jules Leleu
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco mahogany swivel chair with beige leather upholstered seat and back. (attributed to JULES LELEU).
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Dakota Jackson Crimped Velvet Maple ArmChairs
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Dakota Jackson Crimped Velvet lacquered Maple Armchairs. Measures 24.75" in width, 26" in depth and stands 35" in height. Seat height is 18.5". Arm height is 26". Seat interi...
Upholstery, Velvet, Maple
$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28 in W 25 in D 21 in
Pair of Italian Empire Carved Wood and Leather Swivel Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Striking and sculptural pair of Italian Empire style swiveling armchairs. Round seats and sinuous arms that intertwine to form the back. Frames are finished in a cream lacquer under ...
Wood, Leather
$6,475 / item
H 31.5 in W 37.41 in D 33.47 in
Modern Conchula Swivel Accent Chair, Italian Mohair, Handmade by Greenapple
By Dedar, Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Conchula Swivel Accent Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Conchula swivel accent chair is a room-defining furniture piece, distinguished by its eye-catching silhouette. Designed to provide ultimate comfort for moments of relaxation, Conchula seamlessly combines timeless craftsmanship with modern sophistication. Whether paired with the Conchula curved sofa or daybed, this swivel accent chair enhances any contemporary interior, elevating the space with its refined presence. Designed by Rute Martins, Greenapple's Creative Director. The Conchula Armchair...
Brass