Serena & Lily
Coastal California style from Sausalito: rattan, stripes and easy color
- Founded
- 2003
- Founders
- Serena Dugan and Lily Kanter
- Headquarters
- Sausalito, California
- Known for
- Rattan and woven furniture, textiles, coastal interiors
Written by Evelien Bunnik-RemmeltsCo-Founder and CEO, WhoppahSerena & Lily is a home furnishings brand founded in 2003 by Serena Dugan, a textile designer, and Lily Kanter, a former executive turned entrepreneur. It's based in Sausalito, California, and Serena's original textile designs still sit at the heart of the brand. The look is relaxed coastal: rattan and woven furniture, striped and patterned fabrics, painted wood, lots of white and blue. On Whoppah, it's the brand I'd point to if you want a room to feel like a summer house all year. I'm a fan of the woven pieces in particular, because natural fibers age gracefully when they're looked after. Our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live, and in this guide I'll explain what to check on secondhand rattan and upholstery, and how to keep the coastal look from becoming a theme park.
Who founded Serena & Lily?
Serena Dugan and Lily Kanter started the company together in 2003. Serena brought the design eye and the textiles, Lily the business side. Both have since gone on to new ventures, but the brand still builds on Serena's original patterns.
It grew from bedding and textiles into full rooms: furniture, lighting, rugs and decor, sold online and through its own design shops.
What is Serena & Lily known for?
Woven furniture first: rattan chairs, headboards, bar stools and pendant lights. Then the textiles: stripes, small prints and soft colors on bedding, cushions and upholstery.
The spirit is California beach house. It's cheerful without being loud, and that's harder to pull off than it looks.
What should I check on secondhand Serena & Lily?
With rattan and woven pieces, look for broken or unraveling strands, especially on armrests, legs and chair edges where hands and feet touch. Small repairs are possible, but ask for close-up photos. Keep woven furniture out of damp spaces and harsh sun.
With upholstery, check if covers are removable and ask about fading. Painted wood can chip at the corners, which is easy to touch up but good to know about beforehand.
How do I style Serena & Lily without overdoing it?
Use one or two woven pieces as texture in a room that isn't otherwise coastal. A rattan chair next to a modern sofa, a woven pendant over a clean wooden table. That's enough.
Stripes and blue are lovely, but mix in something unexpected: a dark wood antique, a sculptural lamp, a bold piece of art. It keeps the room grown-up.
“One good rattan piece does more for a room than a whole coastal theme, and secondhand is where the best-worn ones are.”
Frequently asked questions
When was Serena & Lily founded?
Serena & Lily was founded in 2003 by Serena Dugan and Lily Kanter. The company is based in Sausalito, California.
Is secondhand rattan furniture durable?
Well-kept rattan can last for years. Check armrests and legs for broken strands and keep it out of damp spaces and strong sun.
How do I recognize a Serena & Lily piece?
Look for a label under the seat or on the back, and compare the design with the brand's own product photos. Ask the seller for the product name.
Does Serena & Lily only suit coastal homes?
Not at all. One woven chair or pendant works in a city apartment or a modern house too.
Can I sell Serena & Lily furniture on Whoppah?
Yes. Add close-up photos of any woven areas and the product name if you know it. Our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live.
A single Serena & Lily rattan piece can give a whole room a summer feeling. Set a saved search on Whoppah, or list the one you're ready to part with.