Tag: cottage

Good morning, chic readers! We hope you’re having a wonderful Thursday! Do you have favorite items in your home? The ones that maybe you really searched or pined for before you finally made the decision? For almost two years, the guest bedroom in our house was missing *something.* Something about the bed wasn’t quite right, but I loved the headboard and didn’t want to replace it with a full bed and every bench I brought in to try just didn’t make the cut. Enter: The Shore Bench from Serena & Lily.

We live on the coast of NC, so the material was a slam dunk right away. Beachy and light-but-not-too-light, and, unlike all those benches we had tried, the perfectly proportioned back made it the ideal place for guests to sit and watch TV at night or simply sit down to put on shoes in the morning. And, we don’t know about you, but we’re always looking for ways to make our guest rooms more functional and longer-stay friendly.

And, unlike a backless bench, it was the perfect place to accessorize. We added a couple gorgeous Serena & Lily pillows, the perfect throw and a few books for a cozy, unfussy feel. (Pics below!) And it was easy to stay in our favorite blue and neutral color scheme, which was in keeping with what was right outside the door.

But this isn’t just an end-of-the-bed kind of bench. Nope. We can think of all sorts of places it would be perfect. From living rooms to nurseries, playrooms to even the kitchen,

It’s the ideal size for those hard-to-style smaller spaces while still being substantial enough to actually do something. If you’re wondering, which we know we were, it’s quite comfortable for sitting! And a few lovely pillows never hurt. 

A major worry with this material is always durability. Will it pick or fray? Break or just sort of… wilt? Three years and a stint in rental storage later, we can confidently say that this is one hearty material. Through tons of guests, parties, kids and, yes, even being moved in the back of a truck  a few times, it looks as good as the day it arrived and was placed in the room via Serena & Lily’s dreamy white-glove service. It’s more than we could have expected or asked for, for sure.

Here it is! Our beautiful Shore Bench in our favorite guest room. The texture is even better in real life, the perfect neutral that blends but also pops in the best possible way. Speaking of texture, these pillows are full of it and this cashmere throw is positively dreamy. 

As with most Serena & Lily pieces, the beauty is in the details. The bamboo legs and base are the perfect gorgeous accent while also being strong and stable. (And eco-friendly!) Plus, they lend that coastal vibe in all the best ways.

Truth be told, we debated this purchase, namely because we weren’t sure about the durability. But, all-in-all, we give the Shore Bench a ten out of ten when it comes to not only durability but also style, functionality and even uniqueness. The perfect cross between a plain bench and a bulky settee, it is large enough to be comfortable, chic enough to be a focal point while also being well-proportioned enough to not take up too much space. And, we’ve had guests want one for their own homes. Could there be a better compliment than that? We don’t think so!

In a house chock full of Serena & Lily like ours, it’s tough to play favorites, but this bench tops the list. If you’re looking for a versatile piece for a coastal home–or simply wanting to add a beachy vibe to any space at all–this is a perfect pick. 

If you are looking to add a hint of coastal style to your space, Serena & Lily is not to be missed! Let us know what you pick–and we’d love to see how you use Serena & Lily in your  home makeover!

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MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS

one. | two. | three. | four. | five. 

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A Few More Favorites From Serena & Lily

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Under the Southern Sky is an instant NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!!!

Debuting at #8!

• It’s a dream that every author has- finding out that their book made THE list. Today is my day to pinch myself and break out the bubbly!
  I couldn’t have done this without all the support my fans provided. From getting excited aboutUnder the Southern Sky, preordering, telling all your friends and showing up for virtual and live events- you helped me achieve a dream today. And I will be forever grateful!

  With just a few days until Mother’s Day, have you picked something up for mom yet?   Under the Southern Sky is the perfect gift!

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