matt albiani

I’m still in denial that August is rapidly coming to a close, so, in the lingering spirit of the summer, I thought I’d share one of my favorite sea-inspired house tours featured in Domino a few years back.  Do you guys remember photographer Matt Albiani’s New York City apartment and Hamptons retreat?  If you were a fan of the magazine, how could you forget?!  Next to Ruthie Sommers California beach bungalow (which launched a nationwide obsession with Benjamin Moore’s Soot paint), it was one of my favorites!  With a love for all things sea-inspired, Albiani created a refined living space in his West Village apartment with understated nautical touches and then went all out in his Hamptons summer rental decorating it with a treasure trove of maritime relics he collected over the years. There is a decidedly nautical East Coast influence present in both spaces and it’s perfection:

Muted gray walls, a distressed mantle and a mix of antiques create a warm, cozy feel in his apartment’s living area; love how he paired antlers with a cowhide rug and

A nuetral color palette is warm and elegant in the tiny space:

A floor-to-ceiling gallery wall filled with a mix of Albiani’s photography is a dramatic focal point, thanks to a deep, dark accent wall:

A wooden oar, a vintage seascape and a blue and white stripe pillow add a subtle nautical touch:

White shiplap walls are a beautiful backdrop for blue, black and silver accents and lovely vintage oil paintings of the sea:

A collection of sea treasures takes pride of place on bookshelves:

The entry of his Hamptons retreat is light and bright; the sea captain painting and vintage flag evoke a bit of the Americana and give a hint of what is to come in the rest of the bungalow:

Albiani makes kitschy look cool, thanks to vintage paintings, seashells, glass bottles sea life pillows:

What a gorgeous space for entertaining:

Albiani brought his East Coast sensibility to the West Coast when he opened Mate Gallery, a Montecito shop specializing in seafaring style where every item sold in the shop has a story to tell.  Vintage nautical flags, old nautical paint-by-number scenes, Hardy Boys books, throws, beach blankets and surfer tees share space with Albiani’s professional photographs of beach scenes.

To see more of Matt’s homes and to check out his amazing portfolio, check out his website.  For more info on Mate Gallery, see here.