If you have followed me on Instagram for a while, you know that around this time last year I purchased furniture for my newly constructed screen porch (you can read about it here). When we created this space, the purpose was to serve as an outdoor dining space, since our home only has a small breakfast nook. At that time you could say I had two things working against me: a tight budget and a desire for a quick turnaround. I wanted something on budget, on sale and in stock. During the pandemic, this was certainly not an easy feat.

I knew if I picked the right chairs, I could get away with a table that was more function than style. After all, my design philosophy is that you only need one Beyonce moment in a space. So naturally, being a longtime Serena and Lily fan, I scoured their website and came across the Catalina Dining Chair. It checked all my boxes: it hit the right note stylistically, it was in stock, and it was on sale. If I ordered 4 instead of 8 (and put a bench on the other side of the table), I could make it work and stay on budget.

While I wouldn’t say it was a total impulse obuy, I did want something I could get immediately, so I went with it. The truth is that if I was buying for a client or talking to one of my children, I would caution them not to ever settle, just to have something. I convinced myself I wasn’t settling and went forth with the purchase. So now the question is, one year later, would I make the same decision? The answer is a resounding yes!

So why did I initially choose the Catalina? The first thing that drew me to this particular chair, was its retro design. Do you remember those midcentury round back metal outdoor chairs, where the arms came down and formed the base? Pretty sure my Granny had them in her yard. When you would sit on those chairs, they gave you a slight bounce or a gentle rock. The design of the Catalina reminded me of that, casual summers at my grandmother’s house. That nostalgia struck me right in the feels. I had to have these chairs. Turns out that design is also very comfortable, perfect for sitting at the table long past finishing our meals (and you still get the little bounce). And while the Catalina chairs look fairly slender, and are pretty easy to carry, these chairs are sturdy. They hold up to 300 pounds! Can I just say: I just love smart design.

I also liked the choice of colors for the Catalina. Here on Martha’s Vineyard, our homes are generally grey-wash in color, inspired by honey colored cedar shingles that weather to a warm grey. I decided I wanted my outdoor furniture to be a mix of grey wash and white. So I chose the “driftwood,” which was basically white with grey, a perfect complement to my home and the table I had chosen. I honestly could have gone with “dune” or “harbor grey” too. Each of the finishes exudes that coastal quality for which Serena and Lily is known and which is perfectly suited for our Vineyard home. One year later, I’m still happy with my choice. A significant bonus is that the subtle gray gradations do a great job of concealing outdoor dust. Even with my porch covered in spring’s relentless pollen, these chairs still looked good.

What has proven to be my favorite feature is the bar on the back of it. I love draping a blanket there. I’m not sure if that was its original intended purpose, but it is the perfect merger of style and function. When I partnered with Serena & Lily for a fall tablescape in the fall, I received these gorgeous Alpaca blankets. The blanket-draping just happened organically. My thought was if I had guests for a dinner, I could preposition the blankets. They would be out of reach until they were needed. Wow, did everyone love that feature when I posted this Reel on Instagram. Naturally, when I created my updated spring tablescape, I added a summer-weight blue blanket.

So how are they holding up? In my setting, these chairs are not exposed to harsh weather conditions. My porch is covered and screened in. And just to be safe, I brought them inside during the coldest winter months, those are January and February here on the island. At this point, my Catalina chairs are showing no signs of wear and tear, and I suspect they will continue to be beautiful for years to come.

So I’m convinced: the Catalina was a perfect choice for my MV screen porch! The only question is whether to get four more for the other side.