Design Challenge!

I got this note from a reader and fellow blogger Holding Court and thought I'd share it:

"Thank you for stopping by after reading my comment on your rocking chair post. I so totally enjoy your blog and the day I opened it up to see that rocking chair pictured, I knew exactly what you were going to write! We were victims of the "Mezuzah Syndrome" and I beat myself up about it for months.


"Okay days. I was so mad that I never sought out any reviews (why would I? It's been around forever!) or that I didn't bother to walk over to DWR to sit in one (lazy). I had coveted that chair for so long that the moment I found out I was pregnant, I was already ordering that chair."

If you must have the reproduction Eames rocking chair
(it would be nice for a child)
Overstock.com has it starting at $133.

"Your post struck a chord with me because I am also working on a nursery and after specifying the perfect edge-y rocker, we learned it was completely discontinued and totally unavailable. Anywhere. Even a blog plea yielded no leads. I'd love to hear what you guys eventually do for your client. Or if you are ever looking for someone to design a cool rocker with, I'm your girl!"


Vamp here: So down the rabbit hole I go! At the very least I could research a few rocking chairs for the gentle reader on Google Shopping, and I also know we are going to have to find another one to replace the Eames rocker for the client at work. Another stylish client, a grandmother, wanted us to find a rocking chair for her beautifully designed living room. We lovingly mocked her out of that idea, only because there is nothing worthy of her decor.

The Collins Rocker shown here in Marimeko fabric
Also comes in solids: orange, pink, white, gray

It's amazing what the search for "modern rocking chair for the nursery" turned up. Mostly big and ugly upholstered chairs and gliders (which I hate for looks).

This comfy chair masquerading as a rocker is from Penneys
You can get more than one slip cover in several colors
It's a little large, but the design is not too obnoxious,
and it could possibly be used in a Family Room later

This behemoth is very ugly, one of the few offerings of a modern rocker
However if you love it and can make it work for you,
it's at Just Nursery Gliders

The highly impratical Eames rocking chair, and a lucite one from Kartell also showed up in the search. Cute but not very mom with baby friendly.

This is a Kartell rocker I found in the Rocking Chair Nursery category on Google
Though very stylish, it looks uncomfortable and impractical for rocking baby
However you can order it through perch. 504 899 -2122

And I also got to thinking that there is a real need for a well designed, stylish, and comfortable rocking chair for the modern mom who loves to decorate. If someone designed a line of rocking chairs as my gentle reader suggested, I know it would be a huge success.

This is the dreaded glider, the least ugly one I could find
It's called the Luca Glider and comes in several colors from Magic Beans

Unfortunately I have neither the time or talent or desire to design a chair.




But I bet plenty of you do.

I kind of like this rocker, called the Sleepytime Rocker
It comes in several colors and fabric choices,
and Home Furniture + Patio has the best price - $900.

So what would the perfect rocking chair for the nursery look like?

This rocker by Nurseyworks (who also designed the Sleepytime) is called Empire
It looks like they slapped rockers on a big ol' big butt wing chair
It comes in the same color and fabric choices as the Sleepytime
I would reupholster it in a great fabric, and get rid of the buttons and tufting
You can get it at Home Furniture + Patio

I think the price point for the rocker you design should be moderate. Some of the nicest rockers in this round up are very costly for a piece of transitional furniture.

This bentwood rocker looks like dorm furniture, or first place furniture
Many of you have chairs in this style, and while they are basic, they are comfortable
Overstock.com has them for $106. in a variety of colors
If you're on a budget, it could work - just add a cute pillow
You could also recover the cushions it comes with in designer fabric

Some rockers get passed down through generations, usually the old fashion wooden type.



I know there are alot of stylish moms out there who like it pretty.

This is a trad looking rocker that could be altered
Paint the frame and change the fabric,
and it could work very well
Get it at Overstock.com

I know there are alot of designing moms (and grandmothers and aunties) out there too, and alot of designers and shops that get requests for stylish rocking chairs for their customers and clients.




So share your ideas! Maybe we can send them along to someone like Hickory Chairs, or maybe you can have an old fashion garage start up company inspired by the Visual Vamp!!!

Posted in: Chair Obsession, Round Up