Serena & Lily saves a house from demolition and opens a design shop in Westport, Connecticut

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to attend a quiet opening of the newest Serena & Lily Design Shop, which is located at the historic, three-story Kemper-Gunn House. Built in 1889, the house is a celebrated landmark in the town of Westport. Slated for demolition to make room for a new development, the house was picked up and moved in November 2014 to its current 35 Elm Street location.

Serena Dugan, the company's co-founder and chief design officer, said in a company press release that they were "drawn to Westport and this particular location because we saw an opportunity to bring our brand to a quintessential East Coast town in the most idyllic of showcases -- a historic mansion in the center of town... It's a dream opportunity and project."

Customers will find a full line of bedding, bath, furniture, fabric, rugs, lighting, décor, nursery and art in settings for the dining room, living room and bedroom, as well as a swatch wall with more than 300 original Serena & Lily textile designs; rotating displays of more than 150 original art works; design advisers, and availability to interior designers for private appointments, client meetings and presentations during and outside regular store hours.

The store is positively stunning and makes full use of the beautifully renovated 3 story house in a perfectly curated show-house manner. I was able to snap a few images before the party, but had to return for more on Friday as the event was wall to wall people without much elbow room, let alone photo opportunities! The turnout was indeed tremendous. The quiet opening was anything but quiet! Peruse along with me in the images below.

Serena & Lily at the Kemper-Gunn House in Westport, Connecticut. Image property of Jessica Gordon Ryan and The Entertaining House.

The beautiful Liz Joy of Pure Joy Home and Dunes & Duchess's Stacy Kunstel joined in on the celebration.

Near & Far Aid Designer House Co-chairs, Christine Enea Yeranossian and Jessica Grutkowski, and Near & Far Aid Gala chair, Lisa Albenze

Near & Far Aid Board President Joan Panagos with Kim Heyn and Gina Manoni

And now for the tour... pay attention to all the wonderful details....

Serena & Lily is graciously donating 15 percent of its opening weekend sales to Near & Far Aid, which supports programs to fight poverty in Fairfield County. This weekend Near & Far will host it's annual Designer House Tour. (More on this tomorrow)

ABOUT NEAR AND FAR AID
Near & Far Aid provides funding for agencies and programs in Fairfield County that are working to break the cycle of poverty. We work with other community leaders and funders to forge partnerships with a common goal of strengthening our community. For over 60 years, Near & Far Aid has remained an all-volunteer organization, currently working with more than 100 local agencies that address the causes and effects of poverty, and has granted over $14 million since 2000.

ABOUT SERENA & LILY
Serena & Lily is a Sausalito-based lifestyle brand founded in 2003 when Serena Dugan, an independent artist and textile designer, met Lily Kanter, an accomplished executive-turned-entrepreneur. Today, Serena's original textiles continue to anchor Serena & Lily, while a commitment to inspirational living is reflected in all that the brand puts forth, from innovative retail experiences to furniture, bedding, décor, nursery and art. With retail locations in East Hampton, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Westport each shop reflects local spirit and personality.

The new flagship location is open to interior designers for private appointments, client meetings and presentations.
35 Elm Street, Westport, CT. 06880
Phone: (203) 635-8000
Email: westport@serenaandlily.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 11am-5pm
For more information: http://www.serenaandlily.com/LP-stores.html

Jessica Gordon RyanMay 4, 2016Serena & Lily, Westport Connecticut, Near & Fair Aid, Design, Interiors, Interior designComment