Mr. Zuckerman had the best swing in the country. It was a single long piece of heavy rope tied to the beam over the north doorway [of the barn]. At the bottom of the rope was a fat knot to sit on. . . . You climbed a ladder to the hayloft. Then, holding the rope, you stood at the edge and looked down, and were scared and dizzy. . . . Then you got up all your nerve, took a deep breath, and jumped.
E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
The pictures below indicate that you are never too old to enjoy a swing, and you can even hang a swing indoors. Made of wicker, rattan, reclaimed wood, or even an antique door, swings offer a wonderful place to relax. I have included a few pictures of hammocks, too. Enjoy!
" 'Just being a part of nature, a guest of nature, was the most important key,' remarks [Donna] Karan. In the pavilion, as throughout, sliding doors and glazed walls minimize the boundaries between the interiors and the landscape."
Donna Karan's family retreat in the British West Indies.
Interior design by Bonetti/Kozerski Studio.
Architects: Cheong Yew Kuan with Enrico Bonetti and Dominic Kozerski, Bonetti/Kozerski Studio.
Photography by Durston Saylor.
"Donna Karan's Island Getaway" text by Judith Thurman.
Architectural Digest (December 2009).
"The unusual Bridge House straddles the river, and a 'giant baby cradle' is suspended from it. According to [Linda] Garland, this retreat is difficult to leave. 'It's like adult kindergarten. Deep in the gully, the river and gentle and quiet, and the air is always cool and breezy.' "
Panchoran, which means "water spring" in Balinese, the Bali estate/resort of Linda Garland.
Architecture, interior and landscape design by Linda Garland.
Photography by Tom Street-Porter.
"The Quiet Life at Panchoran" text by Jonathan Kandell.
Architectural Digest (September 2004).
"Watersound."
Interior design by Suzanne Kasler.
Photo obtained from Suzanne Kasler's website.
"Hanging loungers are suspended on the sleeping porch; the pillows and throws are by Dash and Albert."
Interior design by Suzanne Rheinstein, Suzanne Rheinstein and Assoc.
Architect: Ken Linsteadt.
Photography by Francesco Lagnese.
Text by Peter Haldeman.
"A Lyrical Home in Northern California" produced by Robert Rufino.
Architectural Digest (December 2011).
"A bed swing on the porch is an irresistible napping spot. The area's red palette reflects the metal roof above, which was treated to create a rust finish."
Barnwood hanging daybed: "Bed Swing" (LCO-F10) by Lowcountry Originals.
Guesthouse on Lake Manitowish.
Design by Mick De Giulio, De Giulio Kitchens.
Interior design by Veronica McGraw, Lakeside Living Design.
Photography by Werner Straube.
Written by Amy Elbert.
"Enormously Appealing Lakeside Summer Cottage" produced by Hilary Rose.
"[Cobblestone-like] pavers for the porch and patio floors from Belgard complement the cottage styling of the house. The swing bed was a must-have, the designers enthuse. Handmade by a local carpenter, the swing was built with reclaimed wood from an 1800s barn. The mattress is covered with indoor-outdoor fabric edged in super-sized piping, giving it an old-fashioned look."
Swing: custom, reclaimed wood - Elemental Restoration and Design.
Swing: custom, reclaimed wood - Elemental Restoration and Design.
O'More College of Design Showhouse in Franklin, Tennessee.
Design: Louise Kitchell and Linda Tallent Brown, Kitchell and Brown Interiors.
Photography by Werner Straube.
Photography by Werner Straube.
"Living on Campus" written by Amy Elbert.
Traditional Home (July - August 2013).
"The screened-in porch. The pillows are upholstered in African textiles, the plaster side table is by John Dickinson, and the floor is stained concrete."
Decorator Gwynn Griffith's home in an old factory in San Antonio, Texas.
Photography by William Waldron.
"Texas Treasure" by Rob Brinkley.
Elle Decor (September 2011).
"A willow swing and Janus et Cie wicker chairs on the guesthouse's screened porch are used by a rotating cast of family and friends. The coffee table is an old pigeon crate on wheels. 'I use a lot of unusual baskets,' says [designer Ginger] Barber. 'I associate woven things with comfort.' She also loves children's chairs. 'I'm big on little chairs like these. I collect them.' "
1850s guesthouse in Round Top, Texas.
Designer: Ginger Barber.
Photography by Victoria Pearson.
"A Small and Rugged Home in Texas" by Lisa Cregan.
House Beautiful (July 2009).
Design by Daniel Pouzet.
"A taupe-and-chocolate color scheme and mix of textures creates a bedroom that exudes comfort. [Designer Ryan] Brown accentuated the vaulted and beamed ceilings and high baseboards by painting them a fresh white. Artwork covers the walls and offers visitors interesting vignettes wherever they look. A swing chair suspended in one corner and the tribal-inspired Diane Von Furstenberg striped rug from The Rug Company keep the mood playful as well as comfortable."
Hanging basket chair: Fusion Home.
Interior design by Ryan Brown, Brown Design Group.
Written by Amy Elbert.
"Santa Barbara Design House and Gardens Showhouse" produced by JoAnn McVicker and Amy Elbert.
"It's an antique wooden door from India with custom made chains mounted to the ceiling of a $5 million NYC penthouse."
Sofa swing in the living room of Gwyneth Paltrow's Tribeca Penthouse.
Interior design by Roman and Williams.
"It's an antique wooden door from India with custom made chains mounted to the ceiling of a $5 million NYC penthouse."
Close-up of the swing in the living room of Gwyneth Paltrow's Tribeca Penthouse.
Interior design by Roman and Williams.
"[Designer Peter] Dunham chose Nanna Ditzel's egg chair - a classic of modern design - in part because 'wicker is the most poetic material for me.' Slipper chairs by Dunham. Wall color is Benjamin Moore's Ivory Tusk."
Interior design by Peter Dunham, Peter Dunham Design.
Photography by Victoria Pearson.
"A Casual and Sexy California Home" by Mimi Read.
House Beautiful (November 2008).
"The sunroom swings with a rattan hanging chair accessorized with a flokati and a Ties needlepoint pillow designed by [Jonathan] Adler. The McMillan screen and Meurice butler's tray are also from his collection."
Fashion designer Liz Lange's Westchester house.
Interior design by Jonathan Adler.
Photography by Ngoc Minh Ngo.
"Jonathan Adler Designs a Westchester House" by Mimi Read.
"An Eero Aarnio bubble chair imbues [Lisa] Sherry's bohemian decor with a witty dose of mod style."
Bald Head Island retreat of interior designer Lisa Sherry and her family.
Interior design by Lisa Sherry.
Photography by Patrick Cline.
Art direction by Michelle Adams.
"Island Sanctuary" written by Robert Leleux.
Lonny (June - July 2012).
"The family's three daughters are often found in this bubble swing from Lexington Modern."
Interior design by Lisa Sherry.
Photography by Patrick Cline.
Art direction by Michelle Adams.
"A Playful Twist" written by Shawn Gautier.
Interior design by Lisa Sherry.
Photography by Patrick Cline.
Art direction by Michelle Adams.
"A Playful Twist" written by Shawn Gautier.
Lonny (May - June 2011).
"In the daughter's bedroom, the linens are by E. Braun and Co., the vintage lamps were found in San Francisco, the pouf is from John Derian, and the wallpaper is by Osborne and Little; the walls and ceiling are painted in Benjamin Moore's Dove Wing."
A Manhattan couple's house in Bridgehampton, New York.
Photography by Simon Upton.
Text by Ingrid Abramovitch.
"Out of the Ordinary" produced by Cynthia Frank.
"The pool extends into the living area; the chaise longue is by Le Corbusier, and the hanging chair is by Armando Cerello."
Brazilian fashion designer Carlos Miele designed his home in Florianopolis.
Photography by Simon Upton.
"Carlos Miele at Home" by Peter Terzian.
Elle Decor (October 2010).
"The Summer House was an enclosed cabin, [but homeowner and interior designer Stephen] Shadley tore down the walls and added wood columns to create an open-air pavilion for outdoor entertaining,' he says. On the hammock are a Beacon blanket and a pillow covered in vintage ticking."
Cabins at Stephen Shadley's Catskills retreat.
Interior design by Stephen Shadley.
After photography by Scott Frances.
"Adirondack Idyll" text by Wendy Moonan.
Architectural Digest (February 2003).
"Another portion of the thatch-roofed terrace, just down the marble stairs from the open observatory and in front of the pool, has an enticing pair of hammocks draped from its guaybillo-wood posts and beams. The two potted bougainvilleas lend an invigorating boost of color to an otherwise tranquil palette."
Beachfront design on Mexico's Banderas Bay.
Architect: Diego Villasenor.
Photography by Michael Calderwood.
"Inside and Outside on the Coast" text by Michael Frank.
Architectural Digest (October 2006).
"The glassed-in room extends like a freestanding pavilion into a neat backyard that features a hammock and Janus et Cie lounge chairs for lazy afternoons."
A television producer's 1960s home in the Hollywood Hills.
Interior design by Antonia Hutt.
Photography by John Ellis.
"Take Three" by Susan Morgan.
Metropolitan Home (May 2008).
Belk Farm, a rebuilt farmhouse in Chester, South Carolina.
Architect: Ken Pursley.
Photography by Stacey Van Berkel.
"A Modern Farmhouse" by John Kessler.
Garden and Gun (April/May 2012).
