If you dream of transforming your home into a breezy coastal retreat, then look no further than Serena and Lily. This premium home brand offers a curated collection of casual yet chic furniture and decor inspired by the laid-back lifestyle of California. From plush performance fabrics to beachy patterns and natural textures, Serena and Lily can help you create an inviting space that feels like an everyday getaway.
As an interior design enthusiast, I‘ve long admired Serena and Lily‘s fresh take on coastal style. Their pieces manage to be both on-trend and timeless, high-quality and livable. So I was excited to take a closer look at the brand for this in-depth review. I dug into Serena and Lily‘s background, best-selling products, customer experiences, and more to help you decide if their furnishings are worth the investment for your home. Let‘s dive in!
The Story Behind Serena and Lily
Serena and Lily was founded in 2003 by Serena Dugan, an artist and textile designer, and Lily Kanter, an entrepreneur and the former CEO of the design company Minted. The name represents the two creators‘ complementary talents – Serena‘s eye for pattern and color, and Lily‘s business savvy.
The duo started out designing a small collection of nursery bedding and quickly gained attention from retailers and press. Over the years, they strategically expanded into other product categories and established Serena and Lily as a leading voice in the home furnishings industry. Some key milestones:
- 2013 – Transitioned away from wholesale to become a direct-to-consumer brand, launching their e-commerce site and catalog
- 2016 – Opened their first retail store in the Hamptons
- 2021 – Grew to 16 retail locations across the country, including several new Design Shops featuring room displays and free design consultation
Sadly, Serena Dugan departed the company in 2019 to focus on her own art and licensing. But she left an indelible mark, and under Lily Kanter‘s leadership, Serena and Lily continues to thrive. They now boast over 1 million Instagram followers and frequently pop up in glossy shelter magazines like Architectural Digest and Elle Decor.
The secret to Serena and Lily‘s success seems to be their refreshing design perspective. Rather than the typical nautical motifs, they interpret coastal style through a softer, more sophisticated lens. Mixing classic silhouettes, jute textures, performance fabrics, and hand-painted patterns, they create a look that‘s relaxed but still refined. It‘s the Malibu beach house of your dreams.
Serena and Lily Products
Now that you know the story behind the brand, let‘s take a closer look at Serena and Lily‘s product assortment. They have a vast array of offerings for every room in the home. To give you a good overview, I‘ll highlight some of the bestsellers and most unique pieces across several key categories:
Furniture
Serena and Lily‘s furniture strikes a great balance between comfort and style. Standout pieces include:
-
Riviera Sofa – This low-slung, slipcovered sofa comes in a range of breezy linen fabrics and is perfect for lounging. Bonus: the slipcovers are machine-washable! (Starts at $3798)
-
Balboa Hanging Chair – Crafted of weather-friendly rattan, this chair brings relaxed, bohemian vibes to any space, indoors or out. ($498)
-
Downing 4-Poster Bed – A twist on the traditional canopy bed, this minimalist piece makes a striking statement. Customizable in over 75 fabric options. (Queen starts at $1998)
Bedding
The foundation of Serena and Lily‘s business, bedding continues to be one of their most popular categories. Some recent hits:
-
Positano Linen Duvet Cover – Garment-dyed linen brings a luxe, lived-in look in soft coastal hues like Ocean and Terracotta. (Starts at $278)
-
Seahaven Embroidered Duvet Cover – Delicate hand-embroidered scalloping adds vintage charm, while 100% cotton percale keeps you cool. (Starts at $228)
-
Brahms Mount Blanket – Woven on antique looms in Maine, these heirloom-quality cotton and wool blankets are lightweight but warm. ($348)
Rugs
From natural jutes to patterned performance styles, Serena and Lily‘s rug assortment has something for every space.
-
Saltwater Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Rug – Perfect for high-traffic areas, this PET yarn rug is durable, stain-resistant, and stylish. (Starts at $88 for 2×3‘)
-
Perennials® Pinstripe Rug – Handwoven from eco-friendly and weatherproof fibers, I love this preppy meets beachy look. (Starts at $998 for 5×8‘)
-
Amagansett Rug – With its chunky braided jute and contrasting border, this versatile rug adds natural texture. (Starts at $98 for 2×3‘)
Decor
From pillows to wall art, Serena and Lily excels at the finishing touches. Some of my favorites:
-
Topanga Mirror – This sculptural rattan mirror brings instant bohemian cool to your walls. ($298)
-
Outdoor Pillows – From preppy stripes to abstract watercolors, these UV-resistant pillows make the perfect pool-side companions. (Starts at $88)
-
Dip-Dyed Stools – Made by ceramic artisans in Vietnam, these intricately patterned stools can serve as side tables or extra seating. ($298-$498)
Serena and Lily Quality
Of course, style is nothing without substance, so I dug into the details of Serena and Lily‘s quality and craftsmanship. I was pleased to find that they use premium materials and partner with skilled artisans from around the world to bring their designs to life:
- Furniture frames are crafted of sustainably harvested hardwood and mortise-and-tenon joinery for lasting durability
- Fabrics are meticulously sourced, from European linen to solution-dyed acrylics that resist fading
- Rugs are hand-loomed by artisans in India using natural fibers or upcycled PET yarn
- Bedding is garment-dyed for a soft, worn-in feel and OEKO-TEX certified free of harmful chemicals
Many pieces, like hand-knotted rugs and embroidered bedding, feature intricate handwork that only skilled craftspeople can achieve. This attention to detail sets Serena and Lily apart from more mass-produced home brands.
The brand confidently backs up their quality, too, with robust warranties. All upholstery and case goods are covered by a limited lifetime warranty, rugs include a 30-day return policy, and bedding can be returned within 60 days. This demonstrates that Serena and Lily stands behind their craftsmanship.
Serena and Lily Shopping Experience
So, what‘s it like to actually shop at Serena and Lily? There are a few ways you can experience the brand: on their website, through their catalog, or at one of their dedicated retail stores.
The website is well-organized and easy to navigate by product category or by room. I appreciate that fabric swatches pop up when you hover over upholstery options, and there are ample lifestyle photos to help you envision the pieces in a real space. You can order free fabric samples if you need to see colors in person.
The brand also offers free design advice through their Design Crew. You can chat with a designer online, send them photos of your space for suggestions, or even have them create a digital room layout. It‘s like having a designer BFF to bounce ideas off of as you shop.
For the full immersive brand experience, I recommend visiting a Serena and Lily retail store if you have one nearby. The Design Shops are staged like coastal dream homes with tons of style inspiration. The sales associates are super knowledgeable and can help you customize furniture or place an order. Some locations even host workshops and other events for design lovers.
One thing to note is that Serena and Lily is largely a made-to-order brand, so lead times can vary. Upholstery typically takes 4-6 weeks, while in-stock items like bedding ship within 1-2 weeks. The brand offers a range of shipping options, from curbside delivery to white glove service, but large furniture delivery can get pricey. (A flat 10% of the order value.) Since pieces are coming from various vendors, you may end up with multiple delivery charges if you‘re ordering a whole room.
What Customers are Saying
To get a balanced perspective on Serena and Lily, I read through dozens of customer reviews across multiple platforms. The overwhelming feedback is that the products are stylish, well-made, and hold up beautifully over time. Buyers rave about the luxe fabrics, intricate details, and coastal-chic vibe. The Riviera Sofa and Positano Linen Bedding seem to be universal favorites.
Customers also give high marks for Serena and Lily‘s proactive customer service. The brand typically responds to any negative reviews and tries to make things right, whether it‘s replacing a defective item or clarifying policies.
That said, there are a few recurring complaints. Several shoppers experienced delivery delays or hiccups with large furniture orders arriving in multiple shipments. Others felt the high shipping fees were excessive for the level of service. The most polarizing factor seems to be price. While many feel Serena and Lily‘s premium quality justifies the cost, some shoppers were surprised that made-to-order upholstery was still a 4-6 week lead time.
My take? Serena and Lily is an investment, so it‘s worth measuring your expectations on the front end. This isn‘t the brand for instant gratification on a budget. These are special pieces you choose thoughtfully and wait for patiently. In most cases, it seems customers feel the quality and customization are worth the price and (occasional) inconvenience.
The Final Verdict
After thoroughly researching Serena and Lily‘s products, brand experience, and customer feedback, I‘m happy to recommend them as a trusted source for coastal-chic decor. While they‘re certainly at the premium end of the home furnishings market, I believe their quality craftsmanship, custom options, and timeless California aesthetic justify the price for those with the budget.
I especially love that Serena and Lily offers such a cohesive look across so many product categories. You really can furnish an entire vacation home in their casually elegant style. And at the end of the day, their brand is about a feeling – capturing that laid-back, sun-drenched, salt air lifestyle. Having a space that feels like a getaway is priceless.
If you decide to splurge on some Serena and Lily pieces, my top pick would be one of their slipcovered sofas or sectionals. They‘ve truly perfected the slipcovered sofa with their assortment of linen-blend fabrics and short/long skirt options at various price points. Pair it with some textural decor and a jute rug, and you‘re on your way to coastal nirvana.
Of course, style is subjective and Serena and Lily‘s look isn‘t for everyone. If your taste leans more modern or glam, you may want to shop elsewhere. But if casual elegance is your vibe, Serena and Lily should definitely be on your radar.
