above: Serena & Lily in Downtown Westport
Serena & Lily marks 10 years with a community celebration at its iconic Elm Street shop
2026 marks a major milestone for the Serena & Lily that feels less like a corporate anniversary and more like a neighborhood fête. Ten years after opening its doors in Westport, it continues to bring together local designers, clients and community members who have shaped its story in Fairfield County.
Set within the storied Kemper-Gunn House, the shop is as much a preservation success story as it is a retail destination. Originally built in 1889, the house narrowly escaped demolition before being relocated and restored by local advocates. Today, it stands on Elm Street as a living example of how history and modern design can coexist beautifully.
Serena & Lily embraced that philosophy from the start, carefully maintaining the home’s original character. Details like the hand-carved staircase and stained glass windows remain intact, while each room has been thoughtfully designed to feel truly lived in, reflecting the brand’s signature approach to creating spaces that are both polished and personal.
“More than anything, this is a moment to thank the people who have welcomed us to the neighborhood,” says Design Shop leader Ruth Ann Davids. “It’s been a privilege to be part of so many homes here over the years, and we’re incredibly grateful for the community that has grown alongside us.”
That sense of connection is at the heart of the anniversary celebration, which will gather design enthusiasts from across the region for an evening centered on relationships as much as aesthetics.
“Since opening our doors in the Kemper-Gunn House, we couldn’t have anticipated the connection we would build with the Westport community,” adds EVP of Design Shops Allyson McGrath. “From the town’s deep shoreline history to its character-filled homes, Westport continues to inspire how we think about creating spaces that feel both personal and enduring.”
Founded in 2003, Serena & Lily has built its reputation on an optimistic, livable aesthetic defined by natural materials, a breezy palette and an emphasis on craftsmanship. Yet in Westport, the brand has found something more: a sense of place.
A decade years on, the Elm Street shop remains not just a showroom, but a reflection of the town itself timeless, welcoming and designed for living well.