Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino’s World of Bespoke Interiors and Floating Homes

Visionary interior designer Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino is one of the most prominent names in the Principality of Monaco. Her interior design company, Sabrina Monte-Carlo, was founded 25 years ago and is managed alongside her sister and two daughters, standing as a shining example of a successful, family-run business.

A Monégasque designer of Italian origin, Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino grew up in the Principality of Monaco. From an early age, she showed a flair for creativity, constantly redecorating her bedroom and expressing a desire to work in a creative field.

“My father was a tailor and used to dress the most elegant men in the Riviera, whereas my mother was a fantastic seamstress, creating glamorous evening gowns.”

After a successful career in fashion, Sabrina transitioned into interior design and established Sabrina Monte-Carlo as a globally recognized luxury design studio in 1999. 

The studio was born out of an appreciation for fabrics and interiors; and is powered by family values and the charm of a home by the sea. Known for its eclectic yet refined aesthetic, the studio reflects her deep appreciation for elegance, comfort, and lifestyle.

For more than two decades, Sabrina Monte-Carlo has prided itself on being the one-stop destination for home and yacht owners who wish to infuse Mediterranean wonder into their space. Her designs seamlessly blend Mediterranean sophistication with modern lines, vibrant colours, and timeless appeal.

“The beautiful landscape of Monaco always inspires me. It is important to keep in mind that we are living by the sea.”

With seven physical showrooms across Monaco and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Sabrina Monte-Carlo offers an exceptional selection of luxury furniture, textiles, tableware, and accessories, catering to both interior and exterior design needs.

At its heart, the studio remains a true, woman-led family enterprise. Sabrina’s sister, Sophie, serves as the chief interior designer, while her daughter Manola oversees children’s spaces and interior projects. Her other daughter, Carla, is the creative director and an expert in tableware styling.

Designing the Horizon: A Superyacht-Inspired Villa on the Cote d’Azur

Sabrina’s latest interior design portfolio includes a stunning project for a private villa on the Côte d’Azur.

“We created an interior design for our client four years ago. Later, they wanted to extend the house with an additional floor, and I was thrilled to be asked to design it for them. In fact, I was able to realise a dream-like master bedroom.”

What’s your personal colour preference?

“I prefer light colours, such as white and beiges. I have never been into the dark tones, but it is always a personal taste. I always try to have a light and natural base. Light colours offer a calm environment and peaceful vibe, and this is especially important for bedrooms. Obviously, we can adapt to every request.”

What was the concept or the main request of the client?

“The owner gave us a simple instruction: ‘I want to feel like I’m on a yacht.’ So we decided to use materials inspired by those found on superyachts. For instance, when you’re in the master bedroom, you instantly feel as if you’re sleeping on a yacht.”

The entire interior reflects a playful interaction of light elements, including natural oak wood.

“We added many personal touches. We commissioned an artist from South Korea to create an exceptional painting. We sourced all the blue onyx from Italy. You will find ceramics, marbles—everything bespoke. When you’re there, it truly feels like a dream.”

One of the standout design features is the glass ceiling—reminiscent of what you might find in the master cabin of a superyacht.

“Our team even opened up the ceiling to offer a view of the sky from the bed, so you can stargaze at night. You really feel like you’re on a boat because the only view you have is of the sea. You don’t know where you are—and that was exactly the idea,” – says Sabrina.

The completion of the project, including the construction of the additional floor, took the team two years. Sabrina designed everything as made-to-measure, creating a truly bespoke space at the highest level.

“We designed a bathroom that also features a sauna and a hammam. It’s a wonderful use of space—with a shower on one side adorned with custom-made mosaic tiles, a bathtub in the centre overlooking the uninterrupted sea view, and the sauna on the other side.”

They also created individual dressing rooms for both the husband and the wife.

“When we finished the project, I thought to myself, I could imagine living here,” Sabrina jokes.

MY Ulyssia

In 2024, Sabrina Monte-Carlo was selected for the design of some of the private residences onboard of the superyacht MY Ulyssia concept, a 320-metre residential superyacht that will feature the Ulyssia Residences. Developed in collaboration with Sabrina’s husband, Espen Oeino and Meyer Werft, Ulyssia will take residents to a wonderful balance of destinations, from chic yachting ports to the world’s most iconic cities, as well as the most remote locations on earth.

“We allocate a lot of time and energy to focus on the MY Ulyssia project, but of course we also continue with other projects here in Monaco and abroad. With my team we envisioned spectacular interior design for these floating apartments.”

Your husband is a world-renowned naval architect and you work together on the most exclusive residential community at sea;  the superyacht MY Ulyssia. Have you ever overshadowed each other’s vision when it comes to design-related issues?

“We are very similar and both learn from each other. We are very lucky to share this common passion.”

How did this project idea arise?

“Residences at sea is an old concept that has existed for decades. One of the most known examples of it is ‘The World’, which is one of the largest privately owned residential yachts. However, the goal with Ulyssia was to create something modern with high-standard facilities including medical, spa, restaurants, fitness, etc.”

Thanks to their vast experience in superyacht interior design, Sabrina Monte-Carlo was selected for the design of some of the private residences onboard. Sabrina has previously worked on many iconic yacht interiors, including MY Dreamboat, MY Flying Fox, MY Coral Ocean, MY Amare II or MY Kismet.

“Working with Ulyssia, our overarching aim was to provide passengers with a peaceful ‘home away from home’, seamlessly blending contemporary aesthetics with the utmost comfort and warmth. 

To achieve this, we have meticulously curated a selection of natural materials such as terrazzo, travertine, onyx, and light oak, complemented by luxurious textures including gold leaf, mother of pearl, silk, faux shagreen, and brushed bronze.”

Remaining faithful to the distinctive Sabrina style, they have maintained a neutral base palette of warm whites, ivory, and chocolate browns, serving as the perfect backdrop to their contrasting signature aqua colour. These bright blue hues are predominantly featured in accessories, and the artworks are by esteemed contemporary artists, such as Jean-Michel Othoniel, Josh Sperling, and Lisa Cahill.

There is no doubt that the residential superyacht Ulyssia is a vessel that provides a groundbreaking blend of luxury and purpose that will provide its residents with a life without boundaries.

Offering 119 residences and 13 guest suites onboard Ulyssia, the owners will have a unique experience – travelling the world from their home – to connect with the local people and cultures, and to make a positive impact through philanthropic initiatives wherever they go. 

Ulyssia will sail the seas to explore the far corners of the globe with voyages that could last weeks, months or even years.

“Personally, I really like this superyacht, because it offers soft and light interior elements that really resonate with me. Of course, I am also proud of my husband, because this is a very complex and challenging project.”

The onboard residences range in size from 166 square metres to over 1,400 square metres. They are offered in one to six-bedroom configurations and will include reception rooms, open-plan kitchens and terraces. Guest cabins are also available for the purpose of extended family use, as well as for invited lecturers and destination experts.

Meanwhile, Swiss-based Chenot will be handling the health and wellness activities on board, including a spa, sports and fitness centre and dental care. A medical facility will also be available, fitted with the “latest, high-quality equipment” such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scanners, endoscopy and ultrasound equipment.

Other leisure highlights include a well-stocked signature wine cellar and a collection of restaurants which will feature a rotation of “world-renowned” and “up-and-coming” guest chefs. 

Outdoors, a fully-equipped yacht club, marina, dive centre and submersibles will be available to residents, alongside multiple indoor and outdoor pools found around the yacht. 

A two-level theatre, extensive library and several conference rooms will also be featured, while two resident helicopters will be on hand for transport, medical evacuations and to “facilitate epic adventures” such as heliskiing.

“We basically contribute to this breathtaking project by designing floating apartments on Ulyssia, which is a very distinctive way to showcase our expert knowledge both on land and sea.”

The naval design team has also promised to introduce the most technologically advanced and sustainable power system available, including a fully integrated system for recycling and processing waste.

Do you find it more challenging to design a yacht interior than an apartment?

“Yes, of course. When we design an apartment, it’s quite easy for us. When you design a yacht interior, it is very specific, as you have to draw everything.”

Sabrina and her team of over 50 professionals assist clients with a wide range of requests, from renovating small spaces to delivering fully bespoke interior design for large-scale apartments.

It is easy to say why Sabrina is the number one choice of many who are looking for high-quality interior design in the Principality and abroad. Her interior design studio, Sabrina Monte-Carlo, has become a one-stop destination for all interior and exterior decoration projects.

It is remarkable to see how this Monégasque family of Interior Designers, Interior and Naval Architects, Tableware Experts and Fabric Specialists works together hand-in-hand to set new benchmarks in the industry. Embodying family values and creating curated homes for their clients, the Sabrina Monte-Carlo team truly brings the Mediterranean lifestyle to life.