Rock Your Socks Off
The Best Rocking Chairs Soothe, Entertain and Serve as Sculpture, Too
When I was a little tot, my parents had this amazing white pleather rocking chair with a swirly chrome frame. Then they bought me my very own small wooden shaker-esque rocker with a white painted frame emblazoned with my name across the back. I have a unique name (to say the least), so this was exceedingly memorable for me. I held onto it until way past its prime — and way past the time when I actually fit into it! But all this rocking instilled in me a great love for rocking chairs.
Now that almost all regions of the U.S. are reaching summer temperatures, 'tis the season for rocking! Nothing says breezy quite like a rocking chair. They occupy even the most fidgety among us for a time, they help move air around us without much effort, they lull us to sleep (or at the very least into a state of great relaxation), and their often sculptural silhouettes allow them to coordinate with many styles of decor and be the statement piece of a room or outside space.
Now that almost all regions of the U.S. are reaching summer temperatures, 'tis the season for rocking! Nothing says breezy quite like a rocking chair. They occupy even the most fidgety among us for a time, they help move air around us without much effort, they lull us to sleep (or at the very least into a state of great relaxation), and their often sculptural silhouettes allow them to coordinate with many styles of decor and be the statement piece of a room or outside space.
Don't hesitate to add a shiny element into a sea of matte surfaces. Polished to a mirror finish, this aluminum rocker, by Philippe Starck for Emeco, is not only a twist on the original Emeco chair, it's an unexpected addition to the dinner table.
Talk about sculptural. The natural elements of this gorgeous and complex adirondack rocker reference the nature-filled vista just outside the window and add a softness to this living room.
I could spend an entire day gently rocking to this panoramic view, with the fan overhead and the breeze coming off the water.
I've always held that furniture in kids' rooms doesn't have to actually be "kids' furniture." Case in point: this graceful metal-frame bed, paired with an Eames molded plastic number.
Set up a rocker in a cozy nook for reading. All you need is a good lamp and a juicy story!
This Austin house is a favorite on my jog through the neighborhood. I was first drawn to the outstanding hardware on the front gate near the street, but a closer (creepier) look into the front yard revealed these black rockers — a perfect complement to all the period details.
This red rocker is just begging for a sitter. A pair by the window is perfect for late evening chats as the sun goes down and the stars come out — a perfect way to end the day with a loved one.
This Shaker-style rocker works well with most decor, with its simple, well-proportioned design. With few embellishments, save for the ladder back and finials, shaker chairs are noted for their austere beauty. The woven seats, often made from leather or cane, introduce a natural element that complements all styles.
Another Eames favorite, the lounge chair, adds a dose of mid-century modern delight to any interior. I'm not a purist, so I think it looks best when worked into a decidedly un-mid-century space.
Do you have a great rocker? Share a photo below!
Next: Browse rockers in the Products section
Do you have a great rocker? Share a photo below!
Next: Browse rockers in the Products section