GET THIS...
If the very mention of a rocking chair conjures visions of
your grandmother’s favorite seat, then you haven’t seen the Buttercup
Rocker, created by the furniture collaborative Blu Dot. Founded on
the principle that good design should be affordable, the Minneapolis-based Blu
Dot has been creating furniture that is both iconic and ironic since 1996.
Looking much more sleek urban loft than crunchy Appalachian cabin, the
Buttercup Rocker ($849) fits the iconic/ironic mold perfectly: the seamless
curves of the bent plywood seat cradle while the sturdy stainless-steel base
gently sways, creating a most relaxing sitting experience in the guise of a
very contemporary-looking chair. Completely modern (in more than a mid-century
sense), the Buttercup Rocker is destined to become a classic, not unlike the
iconic Eames Molded Plastic Rocker of 1948. Those with a strictly modern
aesthetic can now enjoy the comforting sensation of a rocking chair without
sacrificing their design principles. Although it may not look like your
grandmother’s swaying seat of yore, don’t be fooled — this chair is definitely
designed to rock. Find it at Vessel (125 Kingston Street,
Boston, 617.292.0982).
...OR THAT
When setting the tone for a romantic evening at home, it’s
all about the details — gentle lighting, soft music, perhaps an aphrodisiac or
two. But you can let your incredible attention to detail really
impress by topping that soon-to-be-empty bottle of vino with a rock
crystal wine stopper, available at Good (88 Charles Street,
Boston, 617.722.9200). Made of actual raw-cut amethyst or crystal, each of
these glittering gems ($50–$55) is a unique and one-of-a-kind geological
formation. With your home-cooked efforts, mood music, and candlelight, this
might not be the type of rock your date was expecting, but it can still add
some sparkle to the evening. And if your budget for libations is limited, these
glimmering mini-stalagmites will dress up even the cheapest bottle of wine —
unless, of course, your drink of choice pours out of a cardboard box. Oh, the
horror.
