A Maximalist Long Island Home Infused With The Spirit Of Music

For this New York City family with businesses in the sports industry and a passion for hip-hop and art, interior designer Shanna Gatanis—at the helm of her eponymous studio—had to infuse high energy in every corner of the contemporary 12,000-square-foot holiday property located on Long Island. “Their vision was for a space that radiated positivity and happiness,” she says. They gave us a blank canvas and trusted the process from concept to completion, which allowed us to fully lean into bold ideas.”

The house is nestled among massive old-growth trees and a Zen garden providing a sense of peace, but the interiors tell a completely different visual story. “The biggest challenge was flipping the script on an all-white, stark interior and infusing it with warmth, joy, and personality without overwhelming the clean modern architecture,” Gatanis confesses. “The home also came with existing funky angles that could have been seen as obstacles, but instead of resisting them, we embraced them. We played up the asymmetry with bold juxtapositions in furniture placement, layering color, form, and scale in ways that highlight rather than fight the architecture.”

A Weekend Home Bursting With Color And Sound

For the color scheme, the design team drew inspiration from 1990s hip-hop album covers, retro sports culture, and the psychology of color, selecting a recycled Nike sneaker gym floor as one of the first elements. “Its kaleidoscope of vibrant hues inspired the palette: deep blues, pinks, yellows, greens, red, black, and umber,” Gatanis describes.

Balancing richness with playfulness, the materials comprise warm-toned woods, terrazzo, colored glass, as well as reflective lacquered walls with 70s-style rounded ribbed accent walls.

The Lego-inspired fireplace, the graffiti custom mural by Jake Klone that celebrates Brooklyn, Biggie, and the Knicks, and the sculptural works by Jenna Krypell—among others—keep the atmosphere of the home elevated yet relaxed, funky yet family-friendly, nostalgic yet highly fresh. “Balancing saturated hues with lightness required a thoughtful mix of materials, textures, and airy fabrics that keep the energy vibrant yet livable,” Gatanis says. “Here, color isn’t just visual, it’s emotional, uplifting, and empowering, designed to spark happiness the moment you walk in.”

Walk Through The Home Designed By Shanna Gatanis