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 Art Deco Style Cuba Sofa in Bronze and Leather
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A bold and rare 1990s Dakota Jackson "Cuba" sofa finished in tailored green leather upholstery and a dramatic bronze base. The design is executed in an Art Deco style with Postmodern...
Bronze
Vintage Postmodern Dakota Jackson Maple "Library" Dining Side Chairs - Set of 4
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Postmodern Dakota Jackson Maple "Library" Dining Side Chairs - Set of 4. List...
Maple
$810Sale Price|40% Off
Dakota Jackson "Ke-Zu" Camel Leather Armchair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The "Ke-Zu" armchair was designed by Dakota Jackson from his classic Ke-Zu Collection. It is characterized by a form-fitted design that is luxuriously sculpted to the body. Kiln-drie...
Leather
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
Pair of Dakota Jackson Library Arm Chairs
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Dakota Jackson "Library" Chairs in maple. First commissioned for the San Francisco Public Library in 1996, it is represented today in libraries, museums, universities, and ...
Maple
$450Sale Price|40% Off
Dakota Jackson Pull Up Leather Side Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson designed Pull Up side Chair with sculptural beauty is found at the intersection of the back and the leg, as the wood contours in two dir...
Leather, Wood
$370Sale Price|74% Off
Dakota Jackson "Oh!" Velvet Side Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson designed "Oh!" velvet side chair. The chair features a Pillow back with quilted stitching to the back and seat with cherry arms and legs in a black satin finish. Kiln-...
Wood
$660Sale Price|40% Off
Dakota Jackson Memphis style "Vik-Ter" Barstool
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Memphis-style "Vik-Ter" orange and black bar stool by Dakota Jackson. The stool comes with a orange curved circular backrest on black metal rod frames, with a black wood square seat....
Metal
$510Sale Price|40% Off
Dakota Jackson "Aldabhra" Sculptural Side Chair w/ Black Leather Seat
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson's "Aldabhra" Side Chair with sculptural beauty is found at the intersection of the back and the leg, as the wood contours in two directions simultaneously. The solid w...
Leather, Mahogany
$1,980Sale Price / set|40% Off
Dakota Jackson Maple Wood "Library" armchairs, Set of Four
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of 4 Dakota Jackson-designed natural Cordovan maple "Library" Chairs. The Library Chair is the quintessential, well-designed, highly-styled chair for both institutional and resid...
Maple
$2,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
$1,500 / set
Pair of Dakota Jackson Library Arm Chairs
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Dakota Jackson "Library" Chairs. First commissioned for the San Francisco Public Library in 1996, it is represented today in libraries, museums, universities, and residence...
Maple, Plywood
$900Sale Price|40% Off
Dakota Jackson "Cadette II" Leather Armchair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson "Cadette II" sculpted wood Armchair finished black lacquer. The chair is Fully upholstered seat and back in leather with cut-out details. The Cadette Seating Collectio...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Dakota Jackson Lounge Chairs with Ottoman
By Dakota Jackson
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Dakota Jackson lounge chairs. Comes with one ottoman. Chairs has a wood base. Newly upholstered.
Upholstery, Wood
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
$594Sale Price|40% Off
1990s Dakota Jackson Memphis style "Vik-Ter" Black Leather Barstool
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Memphis-style "Vik-Ter" red and black Counter Stool by Dakota Jackson. The stool comes with a red curved circular backrest on black metal rod fram...
Steel
$720Sale Price|89% Off
1 Dakota Jackson Library Dining Side Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Pasadena, TX
Library chairs designed and made by Dakota Jackson. A classic, straightforward design in natural Cordovan maple.
Maple
$540Sale Price|40% Off
Dakota Jackson Bentwood "Cadette" Barstool
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson designed barstool part of the "Cadette" Collection inspired by a cadet’s uniform. The stool features a Kiln-dried hardwood frame, glued,...
Chrome
Dakota Jackson Leather Club Art Deco Style PFM Armchair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Dakota Jackson Leather Club PFM Art Deco Style Bridge Armchair. Dakota Jackson PFM armchair in the manner of 1920s art deco bridge chairs. The first chair to become a permanent fixtu...
Wood
Set of Four Dakota Jackson Crimped Velvet Maple Side Chairs
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Germantown, MD
Set of Four Dakota Jackson Crimped Velvet lacquered Maple side Chairs. Measures 22" in width, 26" in depth and stands 35" in height. Seat height is 18.5". Very good vintage conditi...
Upholstery, Velvet, Maple
$510Sale Price|40% Off
Dakota Jackson "Aldabhra" Sculptural Leather Side Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson's "Aldabhra" Side Chair with sculptural beauty is found at the intersection of the back and the leg, as the wood contours in two directions simultaneously. The solid w...
Leather, Mahogany
$684Sale Price|40% Off
Dakota Jackson Pull Up "Iko" Sculpted Leather Side Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The Iko side chair by Dakota Jackson features highly sculpted chairs, molded to the body. There are no straight lines on the upholstery leather, which is sewn as a single piece and t...
Leather, Wood
$1,440Sale Price|40% Off
Dakota Jackson "Marina Martini" Lounge Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson "Marina Martini" cherry wood Lounge Chair with sculpted legs and a curved backrest connected to the base with a chromed steel steam with a leather seat. The Marina Collection is inspired by a series of luxury suites that Dakota Jackson designed...
Leather
$570Sale Price|40% Off
Dakota Jackson Transitional Velvet "Jio" Side Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Transitional "Jio" side chair upholstered in beige velvet by Dakota Jackson. The chair features a plush back with quilted stitching to the back and a seat with cherry legs in a dark ...
Leather
$1,080Sale Price / set|40% Off
Dakota Jackson "Oh!" Leather Armchair & Side Chair Set
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson designed "Oh!" leather set including 1 side chair and 1 armchair. The chairs feature a Pillow back with quilted stitching to the back an...
Leather
$660Sale Price|40% Off
Dakota Jackson "Ke-Zu" Leather Club Armchair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The Ke-Zu chair features in Dakota Jackson's classic Ke-Zu Collection. It is characterized by a form-fitted design that is luxuriously sculpted to the body with leather seating. Ther...
Leather, Wood
Dakota Jackson, Modern, Small Ottomans, Blue Leather, American, 1990s
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Stamford, CT
Part of a multi piece collection from Dakota Jackson come this set of three ottoman cubes. Can be used as diminutive seating or foot rests. Hei...
Leather
Art Deco Style Scroll Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Art Deco-inspired C-scroll form back upholstered sofa with curbed back and scroll form arms, a tight concave fronted seat with two throw pillows, and an over an upholstered base. ...
Fabric
$2,162Sale Price|64% Off
H 24.81 in W 94.49 in D 36.62 in
Art Deco Black Wood and Leather Day Bed Sofa
Located in IT
Art Deco black wood and leather daybed sofa. Art Deco daybed sofa, from France, from 1930s Art Deco period. Black wood frame and leather upholstery. Conservative restoration of woode...
Leather, Wood
1 Dakota Jackson Library Dining Side Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Pasadena, TX
Library chairs designed and made by Dakota Jackson. A classic, straightforward design in natural Cordovan maple.
Maple
Pair of Minton-Spidell Velvet Armchairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Minton-Spidell Velvet Armchairs 29 x 38 x 34
Velvet
Custom Made Art Deco Style Sofa
Located in Buchanan, NY
A recently designed sofa based on a classic French Art Deco 1920’s style design. This stunning piece is crafted in the traditional way, featuring hand tied springs and horsehair cons...
Fabric
Set of 4 Postmodern Dining Chairs, 1980s
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
This eye-catching set of four dining chairs from the 1980s captures the bold spirit of postmodern design. Featuring a vivid red circular seat and sculptural black tubular frame, the ...
Metal
$3,711
H 31.5 in W 53.94 in D 32.29 in
Art Deco Black Leather and White Nails Two Seats Sofa Pierre Chareau Style
By Pierre Chareau
Located in Bochum, NRW
Art Deco modernist sofa upholstered in black leather, exquisitely detailed with white nails. Wooden structure, black painted wood feet, spring...
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Sculptural Side Chair with Woven Leather Seat
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Side chair, leather, stained wood, United States, 1950s Admirable handcrafted side chair from the 1950s. This chair features a combination of diverse shapes that create a wonderful ...
Leather, Wood
$6,558Sale Price|22% Off
H 37.41 in W 61.03 in D 34.26 in
Art Deco Club Sofa in Hand-Patinated Cognac Leather
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A superb Art Deco style sofa inspired by the elegance of 1930s French interiors. Upholstered in hand-patinated cognac-brown sheepskin leather, it captures the distinctive rounded lin...
Leather, Sheepskin, Beech
Pair of Art Deco Velvet Armchairs
Located in Faversham, GB
A commanding matching pair of Art Deco lounge chairs in a rich navy blue upholstery. The armchairs have high backs and large shapely column arms with pleated fronts that surround the generous seats. Both chairs are raised on oak feet and finished with brass castors. The castors can be removed easily if the chairs need to sit flat on the floor. The armchairs have been fully restored and stripped back to the solid oak frame for upholstery with a new coil spring base, with hessian lining and calico coverings added before being finished in velvet upholstery. The lounge chairs came from a fine country house on the English and Scottish borders that was regularly frequented by the Welsh poet and writer, Dylan Thomas. The chairs are presented in their original condition and match the original design of the Art Deco suite before being restored to their full glory by Pointers Antiques...
Velvet, Oak
$1,480Sale Price|81% Off
H 32 in W 79 in D 32 in
Classic French Art Deco 1930 Style Leather Club Sofa / Couch
Located in New York, NY
Classic French Art Deco 1930 style stitched, grey leather sofa circa 1970 with pure, clean lines and an elegant, relaxed form. The leather has been ...
Leather, Down
Postmodern metal dining chairs, 1980s set of 6
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 postmodern design armchairs/dining chairs made from a metal perforated frames and blue fabric seats and backrests. Timeless design 1980s - Belgium Good condition Dimensi...
Metal
Sold
H 33 in W 35 in D 34.5 in
“Ke Zu” Club Chairs by Dakota Jackson in Vintage Denim Quilted Patchwork
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Mckinney, TX
The simple lines of this extremely comfortable pair of club chairs designed by Dakota Jackson in the 80s lend themselves to the fabulous soft worn-in feel of the vintage denim patchwork they have been upholstered in. All the denim is American made, mostly made of vintage Levi jeans...
Fabric, Cotton
Dakota Jackson Maple Wood "Library" Armchairs, Pair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of Dakota Jackson designed natural Cordovan maple "Library" Chairs. The Library Chair is the quintessential, well-designed, highly-styled chair for both institutional and reside...
Maple
Sold
H 34 in W 34 in D 34 in
Dakota Jackson Ke-Zu 1980s Leather Club Accent Armchair and Matching Ottoman
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Dakota Jackson Ke-Zu accent lounge chair and ottoman. This gorgeous 1980s lounge set features a plush chair and matching ottoman. Each of these piece are upholstered in a beautiful...
Leather
Dakota Jackson "Oh!" Velvet Side Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson designed "Oh!" velvet side chair. The chair features a Pillow back with quilted stitching to the back and seat with cherry arms and legs...
Wood
Dakota Jackson Memphis style "Vik-Ter" Side Chair, Pair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of Memphis-style "Vik-Ter" black side chairs by Dakota Jackson. The chairs feature a curved circular backrest on a black metal rod frame, with a black wood square seat. The back...
Steel
Set of 3 Dakota Jackson Memphis style "Vik-Ter" Black Leather Side Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of 3 Memphis-style "Vik-Ter" black leather side chairs by Dakota Jackson. The chairs feature a curved leather circular backrest on a black metal rod frame, with a black square le...
Steel
Dakota Jackson Memphis style "Vik-Ter" Leather Barstool
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Memphis-style "Vik-Ter" red and black Counter Stool by Dakota Jackson. The stool comes with a red curved circular backrest on black metal rod fram...
Wood
Dakota Jackson "Scatter" Polished Steel Chrome Swivel Desk Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dakota Jackson designed "Scatter" Chrome Swivel Desk Chair Padded upholstered armchair on a shiny steel chrome five-star swivel base with castors. Blac...
Chrome
Dakota Jackson Pull Up "Iko" Leather Side Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The Iko Side chair by Dakota Jackson features highly sculpted chairs, molded to the body. There are no straight lines on the upholstery which is sewn as a single piece and then stret...
Leather, Wood
Dakota Jackson Leather "Puff" Armchair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Puff Armchair upholstered in beige leather by Dakota Jackson. The chair features a Pillow back with quilted stitching to the back and seat with cherry arms and legs in a dark brown s...
Wood
Sold
H 34.625 in W 24.5 in D 22.25 in
Set of 10 Ocean Dining Chairs by Dakota Jackson (2 Arm Chairs, 8 Side Chairs)
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Houston, TX
The Set of 10 Ocean Chairs by Dakota Jackson of New York is a stunning embodiment of contemporary luxury and refined craftsmanship. Consisting of two armch...
Velvet, Wood
Dakota Jackson Camel Mohair Iko Downs Sofa Settee
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Bespoke camel mohair sofa settee designed by Dakota Jackson. The Iko Downs sofa features a hardwood frame mounted to a polished stainless steel base ...
Steel