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 "Monaco" Sculptural Dining Table
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The Monaco Collection is one of regal opulence, named after the European principality of Monaco. Dakota Jackson (born August 24, 1949) is an American furniture designer known for hi...
Maple
$8,500Sale Price|32% Off
Dakota Jackson Style Macassar Ebony Dining Table, Art Deco Style, Refinished
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Miami, FL
Dakota Jackson Style Macassar Ebony Dining Table, Art Deco Style, Newly Refinished Offered for sale is a Dakota Jackson style Art Deco style dining room table. This table is newly ...
Macassar, Ebony
Dakota Jackson "Arabesque" Sculpted Sycamore Wood Writing Desk
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson designed the "Arabesque" Wood Writing Desk, made from sculpted, polished Sycamore with an inset leather writing surface and leather drawer face. Veneered Sycamore legs...
Leather, Sycamore
Honduran Mahogany "Ocean" Coffee Table by Dakota Jackson
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson "ocean" coffee table with hand-carved legs in solid Honduran mahogany support Honduran mahogany top with stepped edge detail. Measurements: Height:18.5 " X Width: 34"...
Mahogany
Dakota Jackson Heraldic Collection Mixed Rosewood and Ebony Round Dining Table
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Germantown, MD
A 21st Century modern Dakota Jackson Heraldic Collection round dining table in great vintage condition. The eye-catching, geometric patterns identifying the natural beauty of santos...
Wood
Honduran Mahogany "Ocean" Dining Table by Dakota Jackson
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson "Ocean" Dining table with hand-sculpted knife-shaped legs in solid Honduran mahogany supports a Honduran mahogany top with a sculpted slope edge. Its design draws insp...
Wood
Dakota Jackson "Ocean" Round Honduran Mahogany Coffee Table
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson "Ocean" round coffee table, with hand-carved legs in solid Honduran mahogany supporting a Honduran mahogany top with stepped edge detail. Measurements: Height: 15" X ...
Mahogany
Dakota Jackson "Eland" Round Mahogany Side Table
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson designed "Eland" round top mahogany side table with sculpted legs. The Eland Collection evokes both the grace of the African Eland antel...
Mahogany
$21,418
H 30.71 in Dm 63 in
Mid-Century Modern Ferreirinha Round Dining Table, Ebony, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Ferreirinha Round Dining Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Ferreirinha round dining table pays homage to Antónia...
Travertine, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
Custom Round Sunburst Mahogany Dining Table by Carrocel
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Custom Round Sunburst Mahogany Dining Table by Carrocel. Outstanding round sunburst flame mahogany top hand polished to a mirror finish in a rich mahogany tone. Perched on two custom...
Metal, Brass
Macassar of Ebony Vintage Dining Table
Located in Austin, TX
Dining table from period mid-century modern France. This table is made of a beautiful Macassar of ebony parquetry top and lemonwood inlay. The tapered legs are capped with brass feet...
Brass
Sculptural Rosso Levanto Dining Table - Red Marble Dining Table
Located in İnegöl, TR
ROSSO LEVANTO MARBLE DINING TABLE Type of Marble: Rosso Levanto Dimensions: 72" x 36" Leg Model: Rosso Levanto Customizable: Available! Production Time: 3-4 Weeks Shipping Cost: Fr...
Travertine, Marble
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 36 in D 72 in
Sculptural Travertine Dining Table - Light Travertine Stone Table
Located in İnegöl, TR
TRAVERTINE MARBLE DINING TABLE Type of Marble: Travertine Dimensions: 72" x 36" Leg Model: Travertine Customizable: Available! Production Time: 3-4 Weeks Shipping Cost: Free! Packa...
Travertine, Marble
Round Chrome and Granite Dining Table Base by Pace Collection
By Pace Collection
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Cool 1980’s polish Chrome and white, gray and black speckled granite dining table base or pedestal by Pace Collection. In beautiful condition minor wear consistent with age. No gla...
Granite, Chrome
“Lock D” Sculptural Bamboo Dining Table, 'Base'
By Jan Paul
Located in Maastricht, NL
“LOCK” sculptural bamboo dining table is designed out of the qualities, possibilities and characteristics of its material: bamboo. The frame is build up from pressed layers of flexible bamboo. The shape is formed by the bamboo’s natural bending curve. The layers of bamboo curve through each other and entwine, locking each other in place. Two different color-tones are used: natural and caramel bamboo. This “layer cake”enhances the curves ,flow and shape of the table. End result is a mix of nature and mathematics, of possible and impossible. A strong dynamic shape that looks different watched from different viewing points...
Bamboo, Glass
Regency Mahogany Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany, figured mahogany veneered and crossbanded extending dining table, the rectangular top opening to accommodate two additional self-storing leaves, the paneled satinwood ven...
Wood
French Art Deco Dining Table in Macassar Ebony and Amboyna
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
FRENCH ART DECO DINING TABLE This exquisite dining table, produced in France in the 1920's, has a unique and sophisticated design that captures the eye. Crafted using high-quality Ma...
Macassar, Amboyna
Custom Art Deco Inspired Macassar Dining Table Gold Leaf
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Custom Art Deco inspired Macassar dining table gold leaf. This magnificent dining table is custom built and hand crafted here in the Carrocel studio. Featuring exotic Macassar wood v...
Gold Leaf
Giorgio Collection Brazilian Rosewood Dining Table in Satin Finish
By Giorgio Collection
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular table in Brazilian rosewood satin finish with Italian walnut inlay top with 2 extension of cm. 48 (19”) each. Brushed steel accents on the base. Art Deco Size 78’’ ½ W ...
Stainless Steel
English Regency Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency (19th Century) mahogany dining table with three square pedestal bases having four fluted splayed legs with ebonized trim
Mahogany
Dakota Jackson "Arabesque" Sculpted Sycamore Wood Writing Desk
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson designed the "Arabesque" Wood Writing Desk, made from sculpted, polished Sycamore with an inset leather writing surface and leather drawer face. Veneered Sycamore legs...
Steel
Honduran Mahogany "Ocean" Dining Table by Dakota Jackson
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson "ocean" Dining table with hand-carved legs in solid Honduran mahogany support Honduran mahogany top with stepped edge detail. Measurements: Height: 30" X Width: 90" X...
Wood
Dakota Jackson "Monaco" Sculptural Dining Table
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The Monaco Collection is one of regal opulence, named after the European principality of Monaco. Dakota Jackson (born August 24, 1949) is an American furniture designer known for hi...
Maple
Honduran Mahogany "Ocean" Coffee Table by Dakota Jackson
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson "ocean" coffee table with hand-carved legs in solid Honduran mahogany support Honduran mahogany top with stepped edge detail. Measurements: Height:18.5 " X Width: 34"...
Mahogany
Dakota Jackson Epoch Mahogany Dining Table with Leaves
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental mahogany dining table having two 18" extending leaves measuring 11 feet long with the leaves installed. The Epoch dining table was designed by Dakota Jackson and features ...
Mahogany
Self Winding Coffee Table by Dakota Jackson Post Modern Coffee Table 1978
By Willy Rizzo, Karl Springer, Dakota Jackson
Located in New York, NY
Incredible glass and brass mechanical coffee table circa 1970's. The table features three thick glass elements, including a round top ( 44 in. ...
Brass
Dakota Jackson Macassar Ebony Grand Cocktail Table
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic cocktail table designed by Dakota Jackson. The grand cocktail coffee table features a wood frame encased in Macassar ebony veneer. The large table resembles a bathtub with ...
Glass, Wood, Macassar
Dakota Jackson Macassar Ebony Grand Dining Table
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular Macassar ebony veneered grand dining table with two extending leaves designed by Dakota Jackson. This large table measures 85 inches wide and has two 18 inch extending le...
Steel
Sold
H 30 in W 60 in D 60 in
Contemporary Modern Massive Dakota Jackson Geometric Wood Cube Base Dining Table
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a magnificent and massive dining table, with a geometric patterned cube wood base and a square glass top, by Dakota Jackson, circa the 1990s. In very good c...
Wood
Sold
H 39.25 in W 22 in D 30 in
Dakota Jackson 'Wonder' Exotic Wood Dining Table with Six 'Puff' Chairs, Signed
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible exotic wood and leather dining set, which would also make an amazing conference table and chair set, by luxury design su...
Leather, Wood
Zoe Coffee Table, Cocktail Table by Dakota Jackson
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Stamford, CT
Dakota Jackson Zoe coffee table having two sculptural thick glass tops. The round glass: 36" diameter the longer one 36" wide. The tops sit on a cylindrical brass bass. The round gla...
Brass
Sold
H 29.5 in W 120 in D 48.5 in
Heraldic Dakota Jackson Australian Lacewood Dining or Conference Table
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern style Heraldic Dakota Jackson Australian Lacewood dining or conference table. Arched aprons and tapered trapezoidal legs. This table is in very nice condition with...
Wood