A hammock (from Spanish hamaca)
is a sling made of fabric, rope or netting, suspended between two or more points, used for swinging, sleeping or resting and developed by native inhabitants of the Americas for sleeping. Later, hammocks were used aboard ships by sailors for comfort and to maximize available space, also by explorers and soldiers traveling in wooded regions. We know them today as furnishings for relaxation and simple, easy living. Here are a few of our favorites.
1. Boheme Hammock. Free-spirited and inspired by the colors and textures of travels near and far, this hammock features woven cotton stripes trimmed in black and white checks and a fringe; it’s accented with pom-poms and hangs securely from two heavy cotton rope loops, $198. Visit
mackenzie-childs.com.
2. Single Coastal Blue DuraCord Rope Hammock. This elegantly simple hammock is handcrafted in the Carolinas with solution-dyed synthetic 3-ply rope that is soft as cotton and as durable as polyester; the double-latch weave is resistant to rot, mold, mildew and fading, $239. Visit
nagsheadhammocks.com.