A simple walk on the beach led accomplished designer and New Jersey native Mary Ellen Putignano to create Affina, a nature-inspired, eco-friendly home brand based on a philosophy of wellness and living in harmony with Mother Nature.

A past designer at visionary home décor companies such as Crate and Barrel and Conrans, and current owner of the New Jersey-based design firm Surface, Putignano is also a long-time beach-goer of Long Beach Island.