Sea Roost: Ron & Matt’s sunlit take on Montauk living

The driveway curves inward, away from the road, and the pace shifts almost immediately. Trees close in just enough to create a sense of enclosure. Birds move overhead. The ocean is nearby—felt more than seen—its presence steady and familiar.

“We go and, like, pop ourselves in our little nest, and we nestle in… when you drive up our driveway into our property, you are sort of encased in really lush, mature landscaping. It really removes you from the rest of the world.”
— Matt Albiani

This is Sea Roost, a two-bedroom, two-bath home tucked into Montauk, where the experience is less about arrival and more about belonging. Owned by Matt Brand and Ron Albiani, it reflects a way of being in Montauk that predates algorithms and weekend checklists—quiet, personal, and intentional.

A relationship that grew slowly

Matt first came to Montauk in the late 1990s, back when summers were defined by shared houses and unspoken rituals. Over time, the stays became quieter. Smaller. More intentional.

“That’s the best part — you feel like you’re away from everything.”
— Matt Albiani

When a neighboring cottage quietly became available in 2019, it felt less like a decision and more like a continuation. The home had been deeply loved, passed through years of family life and memory. That history mattered. It shaped the way Matt and Ron thought about what it meant to care for it next.

Tradition over trend

Matt’s design sensibility is rooted in New England—Cape Cod and Nantucket summers, unwinterized houses, and interiors shaped by use rather than display.

“The nostalgia of an old Cape house is something that always stuck with me. The feeling I had when I’d be in that beach house was something I always wanted to replicate.”
— Matt Albiani

At Sea Roost, the rooms feel collected, not curated. Materials are honest. Nothing asks for attention. There’s an ease to the space that resists categorization—neither precious nor performative.

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Living at Sea Roost

The experience begins before you open the door. Mature landscaping buffers the house from its surroundings, creating a sense of privacy that feels increasingly rare in Montauk. Wildlife moves through freely. The seasons announce themselves subtly.

“For me, it’s the birds that make the property so special. Some show up every summer and sing the same song every year. There’s always a robin redbreast outside the front door every morning.”
— Ron Brand

Guests comment on the atmosphere before amenities. Privacy before proximity. One review ends with a sentiment Matt and Ron hear often: I almost don’t want to share this secret.
For readers curious to explore more of Ron and Matt’s world beyond Sea Roost, their Montecito-based Mate Gallery offers a deeper look into the art, objects, and maritime influences that shape their aesthetic.

A place of return

A roost is a place to settle. To observe. To return to. Sea Roost lives up to its name in both spirit and practice. Matt and Ron continue to care for it deliberately, letting the house evolve without ever losing its sense of self.

To stay here is to step into a longer relationship with Montauk—one shaped by memory, rhythm, and the quiet confidence of a home that knows exactly what it is. In keeping with Montauk’s tradition of longer stays, Sea Roost considers monthly leases, with each request reviewed thoughtfully. Guests are invited to inquire directly through the website.

Photography by: Matt Albiani
Interior Design: Matt Albiani and Ron Brand