Hanging chair-cocoon: features, types and production

The hanging cocoon chair was invented in 1957 by Danish furniture designer Nanna Dietzel. She was inspired to create an unusual model of a chicken egg. Initially, the chair was made with a ceiling mount - a person sitting in it felt a state of lightness, weightlessness, flight. The monotonous swaying was relaxing and calming. Later, the cocoon began to be suspended on a metal stand, which made it possible for the chair not to depend on the strength of the ceiling and to stay anywhere: in the house, on the veranda or in the garden.

The amazing design combines the functions of a hammock and a rocking chair at the same time, that is, it hangs and sways. Wherein you can sit in it very comfortably - read, relax, take a nap, especially since the chair is always equipped with soft pillows or mattresses.

The peculiarity of the egg-shaped product lies in the ability of a person to isolate himself from the outside world, as if to wrap himself in a cocoon, relax, be alone with himself, "outlining" his personal isolated space. This model has other advantages as well.

• Incredible design. The unique appearance of the furniture will brighten up any interior.
• Comfort. In such a chair it is comfortable to sleep and stay awake.
• Functionality. The model is suitable for a children's room, living room, summer cottage, terrace, gazebo. And then there are many places where you can sit comfortably using a cocoon chair.

The cocoon is fixed in two ways: to a ceiling or metal rack. Each of these types has its drawbacks. Ceiling mounting limits the use of the chair, for example, in the garden or on the terrace. And the seat, fixed on the counter, takes up a lot of space and is not suitable for a small apartment.

The cocoon chair has been around for over 60 years, and during this time, furniture designers have developed many variations on this theme. The swing on the rack can have a round, pear-shaped or drop-shaped seat. The chair is available in single and double, woven from rattan, ropes, plastic, or made of other materials. We list the most common types of this product.

The wicker chair really looks like a cocoon woven from a thousand "threads". It can be hard and soft, depending on the chosen material, but it always looks light, delicate, airy. Solid options hold their shape well, they include plastic, artificial or natural rattan, vine and other sturdy materials. Soft weaving is performed using macrame technique using strong cords, ropes, thin ropes.

Such a product resembles a hammock, but it is more convenient to be in it while sitting or half-sitting. One side of the hammock chair is raised up and acts as a backrest. Sometimes the soft frame looks like a cone with a hole-entrance in the side of the product.

A deaf chair does not have an openwork weaving, it is so dense that nothing can be seen through it.A dense fabric cloth is also used to create a deaf cocoon. Any of these models are suitable for people who value privacy.

Outwardly, it looks like an ordinary rocking chair made of vine, only without runners, and it sways thanks to being suspended from a metal rack. By and large, all hanging cocoon chairs are rocking chairs.

Suspended cocoon chairs come in different shapes and sizes. In addition to single ones, they produce double types and large structures resembling sofas.

The standard model with a slightly elongated shape has the following parameters:

• bowl height - 115 cm;
• width - 100 cm;
• rack height - 195 cm;
• stable base in the form of a circle, holding the stand - 100 cm;
• the distance between the bottom of the chair and the floor is 58 cm.

Each manufacturer produces models according to their parameters. For example, a chair-cocoon "Mercury" made of polyrotanga has slightly larger dimensions than indicated in the example above:

• bowl height - 125 cm;
• width - 110 cm;
• depth - 70 cm;
• rack height 190 cm.

Designers are constantly modernizing the suspended cocoon created more than half a century ago. Today it is produced from various artificial and natural materials in a variety of colors. Depending on the structure of the surface, the product can be divided into hard and soft. Rigid materials include materials that can keep the cocoon shape unchanged:

• acrylic - weaving from acrylic "threads" creates an openwork, airy, durable ball;
• polirotanga - is an artificial material, strong, durable, it does not lose its shape and color, it can be outdoors in any season without any time limit;
• plastic weaving is quite durable, but in cold weather it can crack, in the sun it can fade;
• natural materials include rattan, broom vine, willow, strong and environmentally friendly materials, but they are only suitable for staying at home.

Soft cocoons are woven, knitted and sewn from ropes, threads and fabrics. They are soft, pliable, easy to change shape. These include the following types of products:

• for fabric cocoons, durable types of materials are chosen, such as tarpaulin, denim and tent fabric, they are marked with a wide variety of colors;
• knitted products are made using a hook and knitting needles, beautiful patterns make the models original and unique;
• cocoons are woven from cords and ropes using the macrame technique, such models are suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

As for the color palette, it is very diverse - from white to rainbow colors. Most of the models are made in natural shades - brown, sand, coffee, green. But rare, bright colors are also used. The variety of colors can be seen in examples:

• the color of fresh greenery is well masked in the garden;

• a bright yellow cocoon will create an atmosphere of solar warmth;

• girls will like the pink armchair;

• the natural brown shade is typical of Nanna Dietzel's creations;

• a colored chair made of threads will add a joyful mood to children and adults;

• a red knitted armchair will add energy and enthusiasm;

• a white cocoon armchair supports light interiors.

Many factories specializing in the production of upholstered furniture are turning to the topic of hanging chairs. Here are examples of the most popular manufacturers of suspended models of cocoon chairs.

• EcoDesign. Manufacturer Indonesia. Produces natural and artificial rattan cocoons with waterproof fabric mattresses. Models are small, relatively light (20-25 kg), withstand loads up to 100 kg.

• Kvimol. Chinese manufacturer. Produces a red model Kvimol KM-0001 made of artificial rattan, on a steel base, package weight 40 kg.

• Quatrosis. Domestic manufacturer, produces different types of cocoons under the names "Quatrosis Venezia" and "Quatrosis Tenerife". Made of artificial rattan on an aluminum stand. The company gives a warranty period for its products for a year and a half.

• "Cloud Castle". Russian manufacturer. Produces the model "Cloud Castle Capri XXL white" made of high-quality artificial rattan, with a large basket. The armchair is heavy (69 kg), on a low steel stand (125 cm), designed for a weight of up to 160 kg, complemented by a soft mattress.

• Factory "Ukrainian Constructions" produces a line of quality rattan hanging chairs.

In furniture stores, you can buy a ready-made hanging cocoon chair, but you can only buy a bowl and equip it according to your imagination. For a creative and economical person, the chair can be completely made by yourself. We will give a master class for those who are used to doing everything with their own hands.

We offer to assemble a cocoon chair from metal-plastic hula hoops with a cross section of 35 mm. To do this, you will need the following materials:

1. ring for backrest 110 cm;
2. seat ring 70 cm;
3. polyamide fiber with a polypropylene base with a diameter of 4 mm and a length of up to 1000 m;
4. ropes for slings;
5. strong rope for connecting two hoops.

No matter how simple the product may seem, you need to start work from the drawing on which the model is drawn, and the parameters are indicated. From the diagram, the shape, size, type of chair, materials for manufacturing become clear.

When a drawing is drawn up, calculations are made, materials are collected, you can start directly to work. How to make it, the step-by-step instructions will tell you.

1. Both hoops should be tightly braided with polyamide fiber. It should be borne in mind that up to 40 m of thread will go for each meter of surface. The securing loops must be made every 10 turns.
2. In the second stage, a mesh is made from the same fibers on both hoops. The elasticity of the back and seat will depend on its tension.
3. Next, the backrest is connected with the seat with threads and two rods made of wood or metal are installed to the entire height of the structure.
4. Both hoops at the connection (back-seat) are reinforced with ropes.
5. The slings are attached to the chair, and it is already ready for hanging on a pre-prepared mount.

The above method of making a cocoon is not the only one. You can make a frameless fabric product, crochet a chair - it all depends on the imagination and desire of the craftsman.

Hanging chairs surprise with their diversity and uniqueness, this can be seen in examples:

• the stand is made in the form of a cocoon;

• beautiful knitted model;

• unusual chair made of natural rattan;

• hanging rocking chair;

• black and white execution;

• classic "egg" from a vine;

• laconic design for minimalism;

• basket on a low stand;

• a comfortable chair with an extension for the legs;

• chair-cocoon on the balcony.

Any of the above models will bring beauty and comfort to your home.

For information on how to make a hanging chair with your own hands, see the next video.