Originally from Türkiye, Pinar Erbil has lived in Istanbul, the US and Austria before moving to the Costa del Sol in 2025. Growing up, Pinar spent a lot of time in her father’s shop selling Turkish rugs just outside Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Her father would often take her to the Grand Bazaar, the world’s first and largest shopping mall with over 4,000 shops. Pinar was deeply impressed by the handmade products from all over Turkey sold there. Steeped in that history and artistry, she always dreamed of building a business to promote Turkish craftsmanship around the world. With over 15 years of experience in luxury retail and three years running her own marketing consultancy, Pinar combines her passion for high-quality products with her knack for brand building at Casa Serena.

Catalina Pabón Jater, originally from Colombia, has been residing on the Costa del Sol since 2017 after living in Canada, Türkiye and France. An economist and former Spanish teacher turned successful Salesforce consultant, Cata spent 11 years in Türkiye, which gave her a deep appreciation for the culture and art. She was Pinar’s Spanish teacher when they both lived in Istanbul, where their shared passion for interior design and Turkish art began. Cata’s experience in e-commerce, combined with Pinar’s passion for promoting traditional Turkish crafts internationally, led to the creation of Casa Serena. Together, they combine their skills and love of Mediterranean culture to bring unique, handmade pieces to homes in Spain, celebrating and supporting talented artisans.