Hammock Chairs: Magical Retreats

One of my fondest childhood memories is visiting relatives who had a hanging basket chair hanging from the topmost beam in one of the upstairs bedrooms. The room, located under the eaves, had slanted ceilings, walls papered in a cheerful daisy print, and gently worn, wide-planked, honey oak floors. I spent hours up there, basking in the sunshine that streamed in through the small window, reveling in the breeze that riffled my book pages and rustled through the tall trees outside. That chair transported me to magical places, freeing my imagination to roam (or lulling me to slumber).

I've been thinking, lately, that I need to purchase one of these chairs for my family room. I'm kind of kicking myself that it didn't occur to me years ago. I'm also planning to purchase one for my daughter, who will be moving to her first non-dormitory apartment this summer. I'm hoping that even as she embarks on her many new life adventures, this chair will remind her of lazy summer vacations and time spent reading in our hammocks to the accompaniment of ocean waves lapping the shore. I'd like to think it will fuel her creativity and dreams, offer her a comforting retreat. I'll be happy if she just enjoys it.

If I were furnishing my first apartment, in fact, I think I'd eschew the lumpy donations of friends and family in favor of a couple of hammock chairs. So much more fun and probably a lot more comfortable (not to mention portable...)

In fact, I love the idea of replacing my own lumpy, kind of worn chairs with something that feels fresh and free. The view from a swing is very different from the view from a static chair. How lovely to view the world from a new perspective and follow the new visions that are evoked.

Quite a lot of 'bang" for a few bucks. Join me?