A. Absolutely. In addition to the popular Eames molded plastic rocker (see the Journey Man and Urbane Renewal Photo Galleries), we’ve seen updated versions of traditional styles; regular, unrocking chairs mounted on rockers; and some whole new concepts.

For a familiar form recast in a modern way, look at the Barry rocker (pictured above) from Sawbridge Studios (153 W. Ohio St., 312-828-0055; 1015 Tower Court, Winnetka, 847-441-2441; sawbridge.com). It’s a classic style with tweaked proportions: The seat’s a little lower and the back’s a little higher than you might expect. Handcrafted, as all Sawbridge pieces are, it is available in cherry, walnut, mahogany, or maple. The seat can be wood or upholstered. It costs $2,400 and takes 12 to 16 weeks to deliver.

Another beauty is the New Gloucester (pictured above) rocker from Thos. Moser (607 N. State St., 312-867-4900, 800-708-9032; thosmoser.com). Based on a Shaker design, it comes in cherry and ash, walnut and ash, or all ash. The ash used for the spindles and legs is strong and flexible, making the chair responsive to its occupant. The price ranges from $1,775 to $2,050 and is in stock.

An especially adorable rocker is the molded plywood chair called Buttercup (pictured above), available at I.D. Chicago (3337 N. Halsted St., 773-755-4343, idchicago.com). The wood veneer comes in three choices: graphite on oak, white oak, and walnut. And though you asked about rockers, an alternate, swivel base is also available. The rocker costs $849 and takes about two weeks to deliver if it’s in stock, which it almost always is.

Considerably more out-of-the-box is the Apple (pictured above). A cozy, cushioned shell, it actually hugs you a bit when you sit down and moves back and forth on gliders rather than rockers. It comes in a wide selection of fabrics as well as leather and, depending on materials, costs from $4,407 to $6,057. It’s at Orange Skin (223 W. Erie St., 312-335-1033; orangeskin.com).

Another chair that really rocks—with a friendlier price ($139)—is the Hejka (pictured above) from Ikea (1800 E. McConnor Pkwy., Schaumburg, 847-969-9700; 750 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, 630-972-7900; ikea-usa.com). Made of hand-woven rattan on a steel frame, it’s both graceful and casual and looks like an island of calm.

ALTERNATIVE ROCK: Hubbard rocker with stainless steel base, $899, at Room & Board.

JUST ASK Have a design or renovation question? We’ll do our best to answer it.
E-mail us at chicagohome@chicagomag.com. Sorry, we cannot take questions by phone, or guarantee individual responses.