Sea Roost: A Cozy Seaside Getaway
Photographed, Written, and Produced by Michelle Adams.
With a distinct design aesthetic and love of the sea, Matt Albiani and Ron Brand have curated the best of New England for their vintage shop, Mate Gallery, and for their latest venture, Sea Roost. A private, two-cottage vacation rental nestled in Montauk’s Hither Hills, Sea Roost guests can hear the constant lull of the crashing surf and enjoy year-round access to Montauk’s storied beaches. Lonny sat down with Albiani to learn about the discovery and design process, and to score tips for bringing his signature East Coast look back home.
“The Living room is the hub of the cottages, and where we hang out most of the time,” says Albiani. “The fireplace is just perfect!”
Lonny: Tell us about Sea Roost. When did you discover the property and what condition was it in?
MATT ALBIANI: I rented a beach house with friends years ago next to Sea Roost in Montauk, which sat behind a fence, completely hidden from the road. I always thought it was sort of cool-looking and romantic, how overgrown it all was. An artist and his family lived back there for twenty years, and we became good neighbors. When I heard they were thinking about moving, I reached out to them. The house definitely had been worn down, but there was a lot of love in there that the previous owners had given it. We just needed to give it a little TLC.
Albiani and Brand opted for a simple layout in the main cottage, with shiplap walls throughout for continuity.
L: We’re big fans of your shop, Mate Gallery. Was Sea Roost a natural extension of your brand?
MA: Sea Roost is sort of like Mate Gallery in real life - the product in our tiny shop really shines when it is able to breathe in a room, and this house is the perfect place for that to happen. Ron and I designed it together (over lots of wine) and, like a relationship, lots of compromising!
The kitchen features a large window that provides ocean views nine months out of the year.
L: What tips do you have for getting the Sea Roost look?
MA: Buy used! Most of the things we bought at the house are from estate sales, yard sales, etc. Something is way more interesting when it's had a life before the one you're going to give it. A lot of the decor is from our Mate Gallery inventory, so the house has been a fun laboratory to work items from the shop into a real space .
“The white subway tile is not unexpected,” says Albiani, “but a rattan lamp we picked up in Mexico gives off amazing light in the corner, and is a nice juxtaposition to the clean bath.”
“Buy used! Most of the things we bought at the house are from estate sales, yard sales, etc. Something is way more interesting when it’s had a life before the one you’re going to give it. ”
L: How many years have you vacationed in Montauk and what are your favorite hangout spots?
MA: I’ve been going out there since the late nineties. Everybody complains that its changed so much and really isn't what it used to be. While it's true people have come in droves over the last decade, there are pockets of places that have remained pretty much the same - sadly, I'd rather not say where so that they stay that way!
I do love the Clam Bar and "Lunch" on Napeague Stretch. I just finished watching "The Affair", and it plays a big role in that series - I have to say they make a really good lobster roll. I also love Joni's breakfast sandwiches - pick some up and head over to Ditch Plains to check out the surf in the morning.
L: What is your hope for guests of Sea Roost?
MA: We hope that when people come to visit Sea Roost they feel welcome and comforted. It's a pretty rustic spot we have created, in the middle of a densely wooded yard, and it feels very cozy, especially in the winter months. And it being right across from the beach, you can hear the waves crashing which is great too. We would love for them to feel like they really were able to escape - even if its just for a couple of days.
The Guest cottage is a nice space separate from the main house, it was the former owner's artist studio. Cozy and private.
“We hope that when people come to visit Sea Roost they feel welcome and comforted. It’s a pretty rustic spot we have created, in the middle of a densely wooded yard, and it feels very cozy, especially in the winter months.”
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