I had the same dilemma last year. The Odyssey table I saw at CB2 seemed much larger than the docksta. The Docksta table is nice and perfect for a small space but I have heard it scratches very easily. We ended up getting a 60's full tulip repro set at a furniture retail shop and it was made much nicer than either of the modern options we had. I would have been happy with the docksta if we did not get lucky. I would go see both of them in person so you can make a size judgement.

Just a note- I never saw the Odyssey in white, only in dark wood. I think that is why it seemed much larger.

I got my table from this company (but I got the black version):

http://www.vintagelooks.com/detail.asp?product_id=hw-9440

The table is very sturdy, and it comes with a glass top so it makes the whole table look glossy. It is more expensive than the Ikea and CB2 table but when you factor in the free shipping, no tax (unless you are in PA) and 10% off, it may just work out to be the same. Plus you don't have to go through the hassle of trying to get it home since it is shipped to you.

I have the Docksta but dont use it as our dining talbe anymore. My problem is not with it being easy to scratch. It's that it is very wobbly. We have 2 kids and we are constantly cleaning up spills. I would love to hear if the Odyssey is any more stable. I do prefer the shapely pedestal leg on the Docksta over the staight one in the Odyssey.

I bought an Odyssey on CL and I have found it to be very sturdy and not easily scratched. (no experience with the ikea one).

I have the CB2 option in dark wood and metal base so I cant speak to the quality of the white. I can however say that I think this option is much sturdier then what I have seen in Ikea. I couldn't be happier with it.

Considering the IKEA table has a plastic base and the CB2 has a metal base - the CB2 will be sturdier and a better long-term value.

Even if the top is dinged beyond all repair in a few years, a replacement round top would not be too difficult to source from your local home store.

I agree about the Docksta. Mine is wobbly after a move that neccesitated removing the top to get it through a doorway. it has never been the same since. And it stains easily. Blueberry pie forever. I mainly use it for a work table now and use a smaller bistro patio table from DWR as my dining table.

I have goofed around with Docksta in the store and it does seem very rickety.

I've bought a few of Ikea's super cheap MDF/Particleboard type things and will never do so again. Any moisture at all that gets on the seams goes right under the laminate and it's ruined. It's pretty hard to keep a dining table bone dry, so I'd advise against it.

The Docksta is VERY wobbly imo. I only had it for a few months, but I sold it recently because I think having no table for a while is better than living with that wobbly thing. It also nicked pretty easily, the white laminate flecked off in spots if you drop your keys or anything on it. I haven't seen the Odyssey in person, but it can't possible be worse, especially if it has a metal base.

i have a docksta and i use it outside and love it, no issues. i think the base is more attractive since it tapers

I'm about to buy a new table to replace my DOCKSTA (and i live in Boston so i'll happily give it away!); I'm replacing it because it is so incredibly wobbly. I feel bad every time I have people over to eat and end up apologizing incessantly.

I have the Odyssey and it has chipped and scratched quite easily. After less than 6 months, it had a lot of chips, especially around the edges. My chairs don't hit it, and it is just me and my 2 year old daughter (and she was in a high chair for some of the time.) CB2 offered to replace it, but I didn't have a car at the time and finding a way to get back to their store ended up not being possible (or, perhaps I was too lazy...).

I've had the Docksta for 2 years and I'm very disappointed. My chubby cat is constantly jumping on it making it very wobbly. He has also scratched it up quite a bit, and the scratches show up as brown. I'm still on the hunt for a better replacement. I'm just glad that I got it for half price on Craigslist.

I'll join the chorus of Disappointed Docksta Owners. I bought one and it was incredibly wobbly - the top turned around the part that attached to the base; the entire thing wobbled terribly. After taking it apart and putting it back together and screwing everything together more tightly (which I've never had to do with put-together-yourself furniture), it wobbles *much* less, but it's still not acceptable. I'd pass.

Just look at them - OF COURSE THEY'RE WOBBLY!!!

"Just look at them - OF COURSE THEY'RE WOBBLY!!!"

No - Not of course.

If it had a heavy metal base like the Saarinen original or even the cast-iron bases like restaurant tables have, it would be very stable.

i would strongly advise not buying either. if you are going to buy a pedestal table, get a good one to avoid wobbling. i purchased the docksta and returned it because it was a wobbly piece of crap. i tested out the CB2 version in the store and it wobbled also.

i forgot to mention that the ppl at Ikea said the Docksta is being discontinued in the near future.

So, harleo... what "good one" did you end up buying? No fair saying "this is cheap crap, buy something else" without sharing the "else." :)

I have the IKEA version of this table. It is very wobbly and there are a few scratches on the table top. We've had it for 2 years and it's the table my kids eat breakfast at and do homework, etc. I keep it because, like I said, it's pretty much just the kids table and we use the dining room w/a better, bigger table for dinner or if guests are over anyway. I would definitely not buy it again - but I have to say, I do like the LOOK of it.

Well, I'll chime in and say that I've had no issues with my Docksta and we've had it for a few years. I absolutely love it and prefer the shape of the base to the CB2 one. It still looks brand new, but I am really anal about cleaning up any spills immediately and cleaning the base every week using a Magic eraser. Ours has always been on carpet so maybe that helps with the "wobbly-ness"?

If you truly like this type of table and plan on keeping it for the long term, why not just buy the original Saarinen table in white laminate? They're not wobbly and they're built to last (My aunt's and uncle's Saarinen laminate dining table is still going strong 40 years after they bought it.) While the list price is around $550, you could probably find a sale or find one on Craig's list, if you're patient.

Agree... I love the curved looks of the Docksta (the poor woman's Saarinen), and I got it on Craigslist for half price, but it will not come with us the next time we move. The base scuffs SUPER easily and doesn't clean, which is a bummer when you liked the whiteness of it in the first place. The top nicks and, yes, wobbles. I'd get the Odessey or if you can afford it like others have suggested, scour eBay or CL for a vintage Saarinen or similar find.

I prefer the "shape" of the IKEA Docksta base, so I went with that as my temporary dining table (until my permanent one arrived from cross country), but after reading the various complaints about it I did the following:
* bought a white paint pen (used for filling nicks on car paint - about a $7 investment that lasts a very long time)
* used weather stripping between table top and the base, when assembling, to help with wobbly complaints and then re-tightened the screws on occasion.

I still have the table and it's likely to become my office/library table because I loaded it down with books in the dining room and it was fine.

When I first glanced at the DOCKSTA in an IKEA catalog, I thought it was amazing and I wanted one when I got my own place in the future, that is until I saw the DOCKSTA tables at a children's store that I go to to buy Uglydolls and now I really don't like them. I dislike how the gaps between the base, center, and table ruined the streamlined image I had in my head. Also, the bases on theirs were scratched up and almost a tan color from all the dirt stains they accumulated, making them stand out from the off-white center/table parts. In addition to that, I didn't like the material used, it didn't feel good. I'd be patient and save up some more and get a better version that would last for many years.

We got the Docksta 3 years ago and though we hardly ever eat at it, it's become a laptop desk and it's holding up very well. Don't use exacto knives on it w/o proper padding, it'll get cut up!

I have had a Docksta for a while and love it. I eat at it everyday, and it is sturdy and holds up well. Will only scratch if you really abuse it.

My CB2 Odyssey in white scratched very easily after three months or so. I never contacted CB2 about it, but I wish I would have. The scratches widened with time and now look more like chips.

My CB2 Odyssey in white looks terrible, six months in. I do have two small kids who love banging all manner of things on it however. I've replaced it with our old eames round dining table which is so much sturdier but I'm looking for a replacement recatnagular tabletop. Does anyone know a good source for quality recatangular tabletops?

I have the DOCKSTA, and I wish I had shopped around a little more. It's a little shaky and the bottom scuffs very easily (magic eraser takes it right off, but it's still annoying). For only $150, those minor annoyances seem reasonable.

@Rucy - thanks for the weatherstripping tip, I'g going to try that out!

I bought a Docksta a couple of years ago and it only has a small scratch on it and doesn't wobble.

The problem I have is that the base easily gets dirty whenever people rest their feet on it.

I was thinking of painting the pedestal base another colour in a washable finish - the actual matte finish is difficult to maintain.

Has anyone tried to paint the base? Does anyone have suggestions on the type of paint, technique or colour - that would resist scoff marks and improve the overall looks?

I bought the Docksta because affording a Saarinen table seems like a luxury a ways off for me, and though it does wobble a little, I've been really lucky that I have no scratches. The pedestal does scoff easily, which is why I have invested in some knock off tulip chairs. The bases of those chairs are rather heavy and stationary, so people don't scoot forward and rest their shoes on the base as often. I have a friend who had a glass top made for hers and she said it lessened the wobble and was a lot easier to clean.

I also bought the Doksta, tho off of Craigslist. I agree with the comments - it's wobbly and the base always looks dirty. But I want to warn you about something I never thought could happen....I was wrapping presents, and had pieces of scotch tape waiting on the edge of the table. Yes. I picked up a piece of lousy tape, and ripped a giant section of paint off with the tape! So upset. I will try the paint pen solution and hope for the best.

When I first assembled this table I did it with pliers and it was very wobbly. I then read some reviews and one guy said his did not wobble. Some suggestions were to put a rug underneath or a glass top. After trying both with no success I decided I better take it apart and start all over this time using a socket wrench. A 17mm socket and a little muscle really did the trick and reduced the wobble to a very small amount. If this were mentioned in the instructions I bet a lot more people would be very happy with their purchase and this would not be an item to be discontinued.

As a Docksta owner myself - I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with wobble issues - I thought it was just because I purchased mine from craigslist. I do love the look of the Docksta over the Odyssey as well, the tapered base is much nicer.

I have a small child - and I have to say I've been using Magic Erasers on this thing for years with no problem. Nice and white. The paint has started to chip though, so I'm considering painting the table, because I really like it.