SAN FRANCISCO, Ca., July 24 — Oh, for a little warm-breeze shut-eye. Oh, for a respite from the crowds, the bills, the daily grind. Oh, for a place to sway in silence, to luxuriate in a good book and a cool glass of iced tea. Oh, dang it, you could kick yourself for not buying those cheap tickets to the Caribbean. Missed your big chance to relax, right? Wrong.
Mercantila Does Hammocks!
How did rocks and tree bark take comfort to new levels? In the Beginning. Well, now, that's going back a bit. As in, over 1,000 years, when Caribbean and Central American cultures used bark from Hamack trees to form cocoon-like sleeping designs. Before long, the Sisal plant proved a much cozier alternative — "You guys know we've been sleeping on tree bark?" — especially since it softened when buffed with rocks.
Innovations
The advent of shipping brought trade routes between the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, and different cultures began putting their own little wrinkles on the hammock design. The varieties grew and grew: cloth, fabric, rope, natural-colored, dyed, you name it. When Columbus finally showed up a few centuries tardy to the hammock christening, he found some blissful Bahamians lazing around in their strung-up wonders. A few years and connected dots later, canvas hammocks were a very popular choice for British, French, and other European sailors trying to catch some space-saving shut-eye at sea. And, you know, as stinky cramped sea dogs go, so goes the world.
What’s In It For You?
Style. Sure, you can still go for the classic rope-weave look. You can also light up your backyard with enough color to shame your neighbor's pet peacock.
Swing design. Who doesn’t like swings? Who doesn’t like hammocks? Who doesn’t like hammock swings? (Look, kids, the transitive property!) Whether hanging or free-standing, these might be the most comfortable seats you'll ever take. Tons of 'em come with things like armrests, footrests, cup holders, and their own stands. (Summer weather sold separately.)
Size. We’re going to be honest about this: you can always get a one-person version, but “Get your own hammock” won’t have much clout if you’re lounging in one of our roomier models.
Stand-alone support. Trees? Rafters? Who needs all that? Nothing a little clever engineering can’t handle. These simple, self-sufficient contraptions work just as well on a Manhattan rooftop as in a wooded backyard.
Meet your match:
You’ve got plenty of trees for stringing-up purposes. You’ve got no trees. You prefer sitting. You prefer napping. You like colorful patterns. You like the traditional woven-rope look. You like snuggling. You like sleeping solo. Just keep reading, for the love of Nod:
| Top saver: ABO Gear Borroloola Hammock; $66.99 |  It’s colorful. (Borroloola!). It supports up to 400 pounds. (Borroloola!!). It gets softer with each indulgent session. (Borroloola!!!). It comes with its own carry bag. (Borroloola!!!!). Hey, honey? I’ll be in the Borroloola if you need me. | | | Save & Share |  10 goin' on 100!
Get 10% off any Hammock order over $100. Enter coupon code HAMCK8J at check out. Coupon valid through 8/4/2006 at | | |
| Top Brand | In 1889, riverboat captain Joshua John Ward created the company prototype — rope woven onto custom-designed, gently swayed hardwood stretcher bars — at namesake Pawley Island, one of South Carolina’s oldest coastal resorts. Turns out that first design was just about perfect; the company has made its name on thousands and thousands of hand-woven replicas over the last century-plus.
The Pawleys Island Store | |
| Penny For Your Thoughts? |  We sell a lot of stuff. Is there any particular line of products that's always mystified / fascinated you? (Go on, admit it. We're retail freaks. We're into this.)
Tell us why you're so curious -- give us a good enough story, and we'll give you the inside scoop. (Nobody wants pennies these days anyway.) Send your reply to readers@mercantila.com | | |
