Calling all leisure seekers: Whether you have a penchant for porch swings, daybeds, sectionals or hammocks, there are plenty of pieces designed with downtime in mind. Lounge furniture compels us to set aside that cellphone and take it easy. All that’s needed is a good read and a refreshing beverage once a selection is made.
Hammocks appear to be making a comeback, especially in northern Michigan, where Benjamin and Holly Koenig manage Run Hamock LLC (runhamock.com) in Interlochen. “They’re quite comfortable,” owner/operator Benjamin said.
The husband-and-wife team fabricates their three-core materials on-site: the exotic hardwoods, stainless steel and parachute cord that go into their handcrafted, macramé hammocks. Their colorful creations are found seasonally at the Interlochen Farmers Market, along with street festivals, art fairs and trade shows throughout the state.
“We took a traditional design and incorporated modern material and the art of macramé,” Benjamin said. “A lot of people purchase them as a piece to use to relax and as an art piece,” said Holly, head of design. “They make people slow down.”
Hammocks also work indoors, like the case of their customer’s granddaughter who loves to sit on hers in the basement and watch TV. Whether you choose a traditional stand, a set of posts or a pair of trees, there are different ways to hang them.
“A lot of people purchase them as a piece to use to relax and as an art piece. They make people slow down.”
— Holly Koenig
Stay Awhile
A porch swing was the perfect fit for a young family that wanted nothing more than to linger on the front porch of their modern farmhouse overlooking their idyllic 65-acre property, according to Krista Nye Nicholas and Tami Ramsay, partners and principal interior designers with Ann Arbor-based CLOTH & KIND (clothandkind.com) who designed the remote home in Georgia.
“Versatile as all get-out, swings can be used to sit or lay down on and are adored by the youngest and oldest members of the family alike,” Ramsay said. “If you don’t have a porch but have a solid tree on your property, a porch swing could just as easily be hung from its branches. There’s truly nothing better than a lazy wind pushing the swing as you doze off for a nap.”
There’s always an outdoor spot to relax and unwind. Nicholas suggested people look at their homes from the street or backyard property line and identify where there is an unused and desirable little space for sitting or lounging.
“Add a couple of Adirondack chairs and ottomans, a vintage outdoor chaise or even a simple wooden-and-rope swing,” Ramsay suggested. “Source some outdoor cushions that vibe with your style and grab a glass of iced tea with fresh-squeezed lemon to enjoy — pronto.
“Indoor/outdoor fabrics have come such a long way, and there’s no end to the tactile, colorful and simply beautiful textiles that can be used to make all outdoor spaces come alive,” Nicholas said.
Facebook Comments