Almost 150 Years Later, This Porch Staple Is as Timeless as Ever, and Martha Stewart Designed the Only Version You Need
This relaxation staple evolved from a 19th-century American tradition into the ultimate statement of outdoor luxury
There's nothing quite as quintessential as a porch swing, but if anyone can upgrade this staple further, it's Martha Stewart.
To complete her Polywood outdoor furniture collection (available at Amazon), Martha designed a swing seat with an intricate lattice-style back that is almost too beautiful to be so durable. However, her Chinoiserie Swing (at Amazon) is designed with the elements in mind. It's made with 'colorstay technology', meaning its specially formulated compounds are fully integrated into our lumber for lasting color in direct sunlight
Born in the 1880s alongside the architectural rise of the Victorian front porch, the porch swing began as a functional necessity to beat the summer heat. It quickly evolved from a practical bench into a social anchor and a symbol of summer leisure. Now, over nearly 150 years, this fixture has never felt so fashionable.
As a celebrity style editor, I've spotted this outdoor furniture staple on the porches of Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, Brooke Shields, and Steve Martin. Martha Stewart's chair is just as stylish. While it's an investment, it's one that will feel just as classic 150 years from now.
Designed to handle everything from intense sun and salt air to heavy rain and snow, this swing seat is as durable as you would expect for something that carries Martha's good name. It's so easy to maintain, since its color-stay technology helps maintain a rich, fade-resistant finish.
While the porch swing itself makes a statement, real estate experts say the gray colorway deserves equal attention.
'I have staged countless patios, porches, and rooftops, and I keep coming back to gray outdoor furniture. It is the quiet color that makes everything around it look better. Think of it like a good friend who lets others shine while still holding the whole group together,' explains Eric Bramlett, a realtor and owner of Bramlett Real Estate.
'Gray is easy to use because it complements almost any style. I have put gray lounge sets next to warm cedar, cool limestone, red brick, and sleek black window frames, and it always fits. When you add cushions or planters, gray complements your choices. It simply lets your greens look greener, and your blues look bluer, which makes designing a space feel fun and straightforward.'
With this in mind, Martha's Polywood collection should be at the top of your wishlist. All pieces come in a soft gray hue that is worthy of her Bedford terrace (it's true, she has these pieces in her own home). Happy shopping.
Another jewel of Martha’s collection, this chair is the kind of piece you instantly want to sink into with a morning coffee. Deeply comfortable and beautifully classic, it’s built from durable lumber that can handle the elements year-round without losing its charm.
Martha uses this table to create a beautiful container garden display on her Bedford terrace, and it’s easy to see why. Elegant yet incredibly practical, it provides the perfect base for layered planters, trailing greenery, or seasonal flowers.
Martha often uses soft gray tones to lend understated elegance to her outdoor spaces, and this bench captures that look perfectly. Classic, comfortable, and built to handle the elements year-round, it’s the kind of piece that instantly makes a terrace or porch feel more polished and inviting.
Martha understands that the best outdoor spaces always include somewhere to truly unwind, and this Chinoiserie-inspired chaise lounge is made for exactly that. It’s perfect for reading, relaxing, or stretching out in the sun all summer long.
In true Martha style, this outdoor table strikes the perfect balance between elegance and practicality. Designed for both durability and effortless entertaining, it provides a sturdy surface for drinks, snacks, lanterns, or decorative accents while adding a polished touch to any porch.
Conversational seating just got a lot chicer with this outdoor set, designed for slow mornings with coffee and relaxed evenings spent outside. The plush cushions make it especially inviting, while the weather-resistant construction means it’s built to handle the elements without compromising on style.
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